Sr Manager of Fabric R&D

About Athleta

For the past 22 years, we’ve committed ourselves and our brand to a single aim: to empower all women and girls. Inspiration. Collaboration. Connection. Inclusivity. It’s what we do best, and we’re on the hunt for people who share our passion for leading an active lifestyle, growing personally as well as professionally, and creating game-changing products and experiences.

We use business as a force for good by putting people and the planet right up there with profit, which is why Athleta is a certified B Corp. Ready to make a move? Join us. Because we know that alone we’re strong, but together we’re unstoppable.

About the Role

In this role, you will leverage consumer insights, mill strategies, and key trends to drive fabric development, innovation, costing, and positioning. You will drive a ‘Fabric First’ mentality and strategy throughout the product-to-market process. You will also provide direction and thought partnership to internal Athleta Brand Product Cross functional Teams, as well as the Mill Management and Quality teams based overseas.

Material Scope
Performance Knits: All Knit & Woven fabrics for our Train & Studio End Uses

What You'll Do

• Identify fabric opportunities based on Brand Product Strategies and then develop within beautiful, technical and sustainable filters and cost parameters
• Track Fabric development KPIs and brand discipline on number of seasonal developments
• Own fabric testing reporting and risk assessments on developments - level set quality, performance attributes and usage expectations to product cross functional team
• Partner with Product Development and Merchandising to ensure that fabrics are within the V/G/B/B pricing architecture
• Identify fabrics that need to be cost engineered and within leadtime and communicate with the Mill management team
• Drive fabric process discipline throughout product to market calendar to ensure alignment at each key milestone from Mill Week to Fabric Alignment and Landing/SMRs
• Build cross functional partnerships and consensus; influence strategy for your division and team
• Additional Job Description
• Strong experience with knit fabric constructions, dye techniques, finishes, and garment construction and manufacturing/sourcing processes and testing
• Ability to assess relatively complex development, quality and fit situations and analyze data to make judgments and recommend solutions
• Ability to make detailed testing and spec comparisons when developing fabrics
• Strong mill partnerships - Proven ability to influence and make decisions with mills across geographies in a matrix environment where speed and cultural sensitivity is crucial
• Sound knowledge of concepts and procedures specific to R&D and a basic understanding of the procedures across cross functional teams within design, production, tech design, merchandising quality assurance, sustainability, and sourcing

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Textile Technology, Fiber or Material Science and 5-10 years of related experience
• Basic knowledge of Fibers, knitting/weaving and dye methods
• Functional understanding of Softline material testing methods and standards related to performance knits
• Team player and collaborate with others
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; communicates in a clear and effective manner
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Proficient in MS Office, quick learner with new digital tools
• Strong experience with fabric constructions, dye techniques, finishes, and garment construction and manufacturing/sourcing processes
• Proven ability to influence and make decisions across geographies in a matrix environment where speed and cultural sensitivity is crucial
• Ability to assess relatively complex situations and analyze data to make judgments and recommend solutions
• Sound knowledge of concepts and procedures specific to R&D and a basic understanding of the procedures across cross functional teams within design, production, tech design, merchandising quality assurance, sustainability, and sourcing

Benefits at Athleta

• Merchandise discount for our brands: 50% off regular-priced merchandise at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, and 30% off at Outlet for all employees.
• One of the most competitive Paid Time Off plans in the industry.*
• Employees can take up to five “on the clock” hours each month to volunteer at a charity of their choice.*
• Extensive 401(k) plan with company matching for contributions up to four percent of an employee’s base pay.*
• Employee stock purchase plan.*
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance.*
• See more of the benefits we offer.

• For eligible employees

Gap Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status. We have received numerous awards for our long-held commitment to equality and will continue to foster a diverse and inclusive environment of belonging. In 2022, we were recognized by Forbes as one of the World's Best Employers and one of the Best Employers for Diversity.

Salary Range: $124,100 - $164,400 USD
Employee pay will vary based on factors such as qualifications, experience, skill level, competencies and work location. We will meet minimum wage or minimum of the pay range (whichever is higher) based on city, county and state requirements.

US Candidates
Please note that effective, June 30, 2022, Gap Inc. will no longer require any of its employees to wear face masks or require proof of COVID vaccination, unless required by local or state/provincial mandates or as part of Gap Inc’s quarantine guidelines after being exposed to or testing positive for COVID. Therefore, please disregard any language in any job posting that refers to Gap Inc.’s face mask and proof of vaccination policy as said policy is no longer effective.