Let’s get started
By clicking ‘Next’, I agree to the Terms of Service
and Privacy Policy
Jobs / Job page
Senior Materials Lead (Apparel & Accessories) image - Rise Careers
Job details

Senior Materials Lead (Apparel & Accessories)

At WHOOP, we're on a mission to unlock human performance. WHOOP empowers users to perform at a higher level through a deeper understanding of their bodies and daily lives.


We are seeking an exceptional multi-disciplined Senior Materials Lead. As a key member of our Apparel and Accessories team, you will be working at the intersection of materials innovation, technology and design, and using your advanced material knowledge & supplier networks to influence product strategy and decision-making. You will be the material expert leading initiatives to optimize the material supply chain for Apparel & Accessories at WHOOP, focusing heavily on materials development, supplier scouting, sourcing, cost negotiations and production readiness. 


This is a highly cross-functional role--you will partner with product Design, Product Marketing & Engineering to strengthen our material supply chain and support the management of our material vendors. The Apparel and Accessories you’ll help produce is part of an ongoing effort to optimize and advance the WHOOP product. If you're passionate about driving material innovation to shape the future of wearable technology, we want you on our team. 


RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Drive and execute WHOOP’s global material development & innovation initiatives for apparel and accessories
  • Own the end-to-end material development process, inclusive of evolutionary and revolutionary concepts for apparel and accessories
  • Collaborate with WHOOP design, engineering, supply chain, quality and manufacturing to determine the ideal material and supply partner for apparel and accessories.
  • Manage and develop material  supplier relationships to drive performance, cost excellence, innovation, sustainability and supply risk. Categorize and leverage strategic vs. transactional suppliers.
  • Proactively identify and resolve potential material manufacturing issues early in the process in order to avoid delays
  • Drive material and overall process improvements and positively influence the design organization and product creation team.
  • Identify future material innovations that could be exclusive to WHOOP and partner with the legal team to ensure proper protection agreements are in place.
  • Provide input on new or alternative materials or suppliers for improved design, manufacturability or cost improvement.
  • Create a process for material testing standards and qualifications for addition to the apparel and accessories range.
  • Act as a thought leader and teacher within product creation to educate the organization on critical material considerations.
  • Always approach with a focus on quality, sustainability and overall customer experience.


QUALIFICATIONS:
  • 10+ years of experience in a combination of materials development, materials innovation or materials sourcing. 
  • Diverse material experience and knowledge is preferred, including: fabric, leather, synthetic, trim, polymers, etc.
  • Ability to teach / mentor others in the organization regarding material processes, manufacturing, etc.
  • Manages effectively in a fast-paced, ambiguous and changing environment with high emotional intelligence and resilience.
  • Can travel approximately 20% of the time with demonstrated experience traveling to overseas suppliers to develop and commercialize new materials.
  • Approach problems with a solution-oriented outlook and a strong bias for action. 
  • Ability to partner across the organization to align on project goals, objectives and to quickly escalate and resolve issues as they arise.


This role is based in the WHOOP office located in Boston, MA. The successful candidate must be prepared to relocate if necessary to work out of the Boston, MA office. 


Interested in the role, but don’t meet every qualification? We encourage you to still apply! At WHOOP, we believe there is much more to a candidate than what is written on paper, and we value character as much as experience. As we continue to build a diverse and inclusive environment, we encourage anyone who is interested in this role to apply.


WHOOP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-verify to determine employment eligibility.  It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

WHOOP Glassdoor Company Review
3.4 Glassdoor star iconGlassdoor star iconGlassdoor star icon Glassdoor star icon Glassdoor star icon
WHOOP DE&I Review
No rating Glassdoor star iconGlassdoor star iconGlassdoor star iconGlassdoor star iconGlassdoor star icon
CEO of WHOOP
WHOOP CEO photo
Will Ahmed
Approve of CEO

Average salary estimate

$135000 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$120000K
$150000K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Senior Materials Lead (Apparel & Accessories), WHOOP

At WHOOP, we're all about unlocking human performance, and we're looking for a dynamic Senior Materials Lead to join our Apparel and Accessories team in Boston, MA. In this pivotal role, you’ll blend materials innovation with cutting-edge technology and design to create outstanding products that elevate everyday wearables. Your extensive knowledge of materials will be key in shaping product strategy and decisions, while your robust supplier connections will help us streamline our material supply chain. You're going to be the go-to expert, leading initiatives that focus on materials development and supplier scouting, negotiating costs, and ensuring that our production is always ready to roll. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, so you’ll partner closely with teams across product design, marketing, and engineering to optimize our material options and strengthen vendor management. The apparel and accessories you'll work on are vital to our mission, aimed at advancing WHOOP products. If you're passionate about driving innovations in materials that will redefine wearable technology, we'd love for you to join our diverse team. At WHOOP, we see potential beyond the resume, so if you're excited about this role but don't tick every box, we still want to hear from you. Let’s advance performance together!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Senior Materials Lead (Apparel & Accessories) Role at WHOOP
What are the responsibilities of a Senior Materials Lead at WHOOP?

As a Senior Materials Lead at WHOOP, your key responsibilities will include driving global material development and innovation initiatives for apparel and accessories. You'll own the entire material development process, collaborate with cross-functional teams to align on material choices, manage supplier relationships to enhance performance and sustainability, and identify potential manufacturing issues before they arise.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What qualifications does WHOOP require for the Senior Materials Lead position?

WHOOP is looking for candidates with a minimum of 10 years' experience in materials development, innovation, or sourcing. A diverse background in fabrics, leathers, synthetics, and polymers is preferred, along with the ability to mentor others in material processes. Additionally, candidates should be prepared to navigate a fast-paced work environment and have the capacity to travel around 20% of the time.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What is the importance of sustainability in the Senior Materials Lead role at WHOOP?

Sustainability is a critical focus in the Senior Materials Lead position at WHOOP. You will be expected to drive sustainable practices in material sourcing and development, ensuring that our products not only perform well but also align with our commitment to environmental responsibility. Your expert guidance on innovative materials will play a pivotal role in advancing WHOOP's sustainability goals.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How does the Senior Materials Lead collaborate with other departments at WHOOP?

Collaboration is key in the Senior Materials Lead role at WHOOP. You'll be working hand-in-hand with teams from design, engineering, marketing, and manufacturing to ensure that material choices align with product goals and customer needs. This cross-functional approach fosters innovation and ensures that the apparel and accessories we create are functional, stylish, and on time.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Can you describe the work culture at WHOOP for a Senior Materials Lead?

The work culture at WHOOP is dynamic and inclusive, fostering a space where diverse ideas are valued. As a Senior Materials Lead, you'll be part of a team that encourages collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. We believe in the potential of our team members beyond their experiences and foster an atmosphere of learning, growth, and entitlement towards equal opportunities for all.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Common Interview Questions for Senior Materials Lead (Apparel & Accessories)
What experience do you have in materials development specific to apparel and accessories?

When answering this question, detail your previous roles related to materials development, emphasizing specific projects where you've successfully applied your knowledge of various materials. Discuss any innovations you've implemented and how those experiences have prepared you for the Senior Materials Lead position at WHOOP.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How do you approach supplier negotiations?

To effectively answer this, share your negotiation philosophy and strategies. Provide specific examples of successful negotiations you’ve conducted, highlighting your approach to fostering positive supplier relationships while achieving cost excellence and quality assurances, which is crucial for WHOOP's mission.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Can you describe a time you resolved a material manufacturing issue?

Use this opportunity to narrate a detailed experience where you identified and successfully resolved a manufacturing issue with materials. Explain your problem-solving process and the impact of your resolution on the overall project timeline and product success.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What materials innovations do you believe could enhance WHOOP's product line?

When responding, think creatively and provide insights into emerging materials and technologies that could elevate WHOOP's apparel and accessories. Discuss how these innovations align with current market trends and how they could provide a competitive edge for the brand.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How do you ensure the sustainability of material sourcing?

Discuss your understanding of sustainable materials and sourcing practices. Provide examples of how you’ve integrated sustainability into previous projects and how you see it playing a role in your initiatives at WHOOP.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What strategies do you use to mentor and educate team members about materials processing?

Share your perspective on mentorship and knowledge-sharing. Describe methods you’ve found effective in educating colleagues about materials processes, and explain how you plan to implement these strategies at WHOOP to build a knowledgeable team.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Describe how you handle fast-paced and ambiguous work environments.

To answer this, illustrate your adaptability and resilience in challenging settings. Provide examples of how you’ve effectively navigated ambiguity, demonstrating your ability to remain solution-oriented and action-driven, which is vital for a role at WHOOP.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What is your experience with international material sourcing?

Detail your experiences traveling for international supplier development. Discuss specific challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learned from those experiences that could apply to the Senior Materials Lead role at WHOOP.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How do you prioritize material development initiatives?

Discuss your approach to prioritization based on project goals, timelines, and resource availability. Provide examples of how you assessed and prioritized material initiatives in past roles, and how that aligns with WHOOP's goals.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What do you believe makes a material successful for wearable technology?

Share your insights on the characteristics that are crucial for materials used in wearable tech, such as comfort, durability, flexibility, and performance. Discuss how your experience aligns with these qualities, especially in relation to WHOOP products.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Similar Jobs
Photo of the Rise User
WHOOP Hybrid Boston, MA
Posted 5 days ago
Photo of the Rise User
Rapid Growth
Customer-Centric
Reward & Recognition
Fully Distributed
Flex-Friendly
Learning & Development
Photo of the Rise User
Posted 6 days ago
Photo of the Rise User
Posted 8 days ago
Empathetic
Feedback Forward
Reward & Recognition
Transparent & Candid
Growth & Learning
Posted 13 days ago

Our mission at WHOOP is to unlock human performance. We believe that every individual has an inner potential that can be enhanced through continuous monitoring. As such we've built a system across hardware, software, and analytics designed to coll...

55 jobs
MATCH
Calculating your matching score...
FUNDING
SENIORITY LEVEL REQUIREMENT
TEAM SIZE
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full-time, on-site
DATE POSTED
January 7, 2025

Subscribe to Rise newsletter

Risa star 🔮 Hi, I'm Risa! Your AI
Career Copilot
Want to see a list of jobs tailored to
you, just ask me below!