Fabric Manager

Role Overview

The Fabric Manager will oversee the full fabric lifecycle for nominated and full-package programs, including sourcing, research, development, purchasing, and approvals. This role partners closely with Design, Product Development, Production, mills, agents, and factories to make sure fabrics are selected, developed, costed, approved, and delivered in step with the seasonal timeline.

The position calls for deep knowledge of textile construction, fabric costing, mill capabilities, minimum order quantities, sampling yardage requirements, bulk approval processes, and production schedules. Strong coordination, attention to detail, and the ability to keep several fabric programs moving at once across wovens, cut-and-sew knits, and denim are essential.

What You Will Do

• Create and carry out sourcing plans for nominated and full-package programs spanning woven fabrics, cut-and-sew knits, and denim.
• Collaborate with the Design team to shortlist fabric choices that align with design direction, target costs, structure, handfeel, performance, and manufacturing needs.
• Work with mills, agents, and factories to secure workable minimums for both sample development and bulk production.
• Keep the generic fabric library, seasonal research materials, and fabric archive organized and current for Design, Product Development, and Production use.
• Raise sample fabric purchase orders and arrange shipment of sample yardage to local and overseas factories.
• Participate in weekly Product Development meetings to review active styles, fabric progress, approvals, risks, and open action items.
• Track fabric data in WIP reports and fabric charts, including mill, construction, composition, weight, width, pricing, minimums, lead times, sample stage, bulk stage, and approval stage.
• Make sure Fabric Detail Sheets are complete and accurate every season.
• Maintain sample yardage stock at domestic and overseas factories for proto samples, salesman samples, fit samples, and other development needs.
• Set bulk fabric standards and manage the approval flow from initial standard creation through bulk approval and receipt.
• Support Production in solving issues tied to fabric quality, construction, shade, shrinkage, testing, cost, delivery, and bulk consistency.
• Look for cost-saving opportunities through alternate constructions, mills, finishes, blends, widths, and sourcing routes without compromising design intent or quality.
• Keep regular communication flowing with mills, factories, agents, Design, Product Development, and Production so everyone stays aligned on status, deadlines, and ownership.
• Spot possible delays or risks early and propose practical solutions to keep development and production on track.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in fabric research and development, sourcing, and/or purchasing.
• Strong working knowledge of textile construction, including wovens, knits, denim, yarns, finishes, weights, widths, shrinkage, and fabric performance.
• Ability to improve fabric cost efficiency while balancing design goals, quality standards, and production requirements.
• Background working with domestic and overseas mills, agents, factories, and full-package vendors.
• Solid understanding of sample yardage, bulk approvals, standard setting, and production calendar management.
• Highly organized, detail-driven, proactive, and capable of balancing several priorities simultaneously.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and persistence in following issues through to resolution.
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Outlook.
• Comfort working across Design, Product Development, Production, Sourcing, and factory teams.

Preferred Experience

• Background in children’s apparel, fashion apparel, or consumer products.
• Familiarity with fabric testing, compliance, and performance standards.
• Experience managing fabric libraries, WIP reports, seasonal development charts, and Fabric Detail Sheets.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, calendar-led environment with multiple seasons in progress at once.

Compensation

The expected salary range for this role is $90,000 to $120,000 per year.