Material Developer, Apparel
About this role
Who We Are:
At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.
Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.
Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:
- Runner First
- We act in the best interest of the runner
- Word is Bond
- We do what we say we’ll do
- Champion Heart
- We give our all in everything we do
- There is no “I” in Run
- We stay generous with our humanity
- Keep Moving
- We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!
We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.
Your Job:
As the Materials Developer at Brooks, you play an integral part in the seasonal material development process, utilizing product and process knowledge. You will work with a cross-functional product creation team from the collection of insights through commercialization to deliver products that exceed consumer expectations.
You will work with a cross-functional product creation team to collect insights through commercialization to deliver products that exceed consumer expectations. You must have knowledge across different material and trim constructions and processes involved in development, including engineering wrap, wefts, and wovens. Knowledge in raw material properties, testing, and costing is also a must. Other critical responsibilities include understanding manufacturing capabilities, anticipating issues, problem-solving, and timely resolution. You will be responsible for partnering with the Materials team to initiate ideas around material and trim development opportunities that will improve product performance, product value, and communicate improvements across product teams.
\nYour Responsibilities:- Partner on material and trim development from concept brief through commercialization and production, ensuring alignment with seasonal milestones and product objectives.
- Manage workload according to the seasonal material development calendar and contribute to development process execution and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with Product Line Management, Design, Development, and cross-functional partners to define and deliver materials, trims, performance attributes, features, and benefits that support seasonal product objectives.
- Collaborate with the Apparel Development team to evaluate material and trim prototypes, wear-test issues, and review milestones throughout the development process.
- Support the Materials team with special projects, off-calendar initiatives, and future strategic goals.
- Apply knowledge of material specifications, construction, identification, and industry testing standards to support development decisions that optimize product performance, quality, consumer experience, and cost targets.
- Manage material and trim documentation in Flex system data, ensuring FDS (Fabric Detail Sheet), TDS (Trim Detail Sheet), Test Reports, and approval information are accurate, complete, and current throughout the development process.
- Maintain an organized material and trim reference library, including approved materials, technical specifications, and approval records.
- Partner with mills and suppliers to support seasonal costing objectives and material development strategies.
- Partner with materials testing teams to ensure materials and trims meet performance requirements and commercialization standards within seasonal timelines.
- Collaborate with Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility partners to support alignment between material development activities and long-term sustainability goals.
- Maintain strong working relationships with material and trim suppliers to support development, quality, testing, innovation, and seasonal calendar commitments.
- Identify and evaluate emerging materials, trims, technologies, and manufacturing capabilities, partnering with suppliers and the Materials team to translate opportunities into commercial applications that support brand and product goals.
- Participate in domestic and international supplier visits, development trips, and tradeshows to support material innovation and supplier partnerships.
- Coordinate vendor visits, supplier meetings, and tradeshow appointments for the Materials Team.
- Track, coordinate, ship, and receive domestic and international material and trim shipments in a timely manner to support development and commercialization timelines.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality, development processes, team effectiveness, and speed-to-market.
- Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design or related field; equivalent combination of education and years of experience can be considered in lieu of degree(s)
- 5+ years of experience in engineering, troubleshooting, and testing performance knits and wovens
- Deep understanding and proven success working textile testing methods, a range of material constructions, and material processes
- Proficient in PLM systems to build, support, and maintain digital material library
- Computer proficiency with office software; MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Keynote, and Illustrator
- Demonstrated ability to lead and influence in a collaborative, cross-functional group to meet strategic objectives
- Effective project management skills and experience, including the ability to articulate goals and objectives, manage projects independently, and the ability to network and utilize internal and external resources
- Keen attention to detail in planning, organizing, and execution of tasks (self and through others), while still seeing the big picture and understanding how all the pieces fit together and affect one another
- Outstanding communication skills, verbal and written
- Advanced ability to communicate new ideas, concepts, and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders
- Ability to anticipate how a decision made can affect our customers, our partners, our products, or other departments’ operations and/or morale; “connecting the dots”
- Curious and open-minded; always open for a challenge, inventive, creative. With the ability to challenge the status quo – always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details
- Demonstrated ability to develop highly positive relationships with individuals and teams that are made up of diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds, resulting in effective working relationships across the company
- Embraces and lives the Brooks values!
Compensation: The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $91,931 - $137,896 per year. Base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Other:
Brooks is proud to offer a robust benefits package to our employees and their families!
Benefits - Including medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance.
Paid Time Off - Brooks offers generous time off, including five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, and paid sick and parental leave.
Bonus - In addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.
Perks - Including product discounts, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits.
Location - You will spend 4 days per week in our Seattle offices, as we believe our organization flourishes when connections, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and celebrations happen in person.
At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.
Company at a glance
Let’s run there is an invitation to feel like our favorite selves. It’s a challenge to venture where we’re scared to go. And it’s a promise to never remain idle. That’s why, for 110 years, Brooks has pushed the limits of motion science, engineering, and technology to create gear that helps get you there— whether it's a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.
Our company culture defines us, bonds us together, and drives our success. We live this culture daily through our brand values: Runner First, Word is Bond, Champion Heart, There is no “I” in Run, and Keep Moving. This means we always solve for the runner, do what we say we will, give it our all, are generous with our humanity, and find a way to keep moving every day, because joy is kinetic. The shoes and gear we develop, the experiences we create, and the partnerships we build should help make the run inclusive and accessible for all. We are taking a comprehensive and strategic approach to ensure our values are represented in our sport. We are committed to reducing barriers to participation in the run, the running industry, and the running community.
Top Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life and AD&D insurance
- Disability insurance
- HSA and employer contribution
- FSA
- Family and fertility assistance
- 401K Savings Plan and match
- Employee assistance program
- Transportation assistance
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave
- Annual bonus
- Product discounts
- Employee recognition
- Fitness discounts
- Volunteer and donation benefits
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