RAW MATERIAL RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT LEAD

Essential Duties And Responsibilities: Material Sourcing & Development Source new yarns, fabrics, trims, and raw materials globally while keeping the design team's vision at the center of every decision Evaluate and develop both woven fabrics and yarn and knit materials Source and develop high-quality trims that fit the brand's seasonal vision Bring new innovation and techniques across all raw material categories Technical Development & Quality Apply technical knowledge of knitting, yarns, textiles, and trim development including knit stitches, knit gauge, and yarn sizing to guide sourcing and development decisions Manage testing of new fabrics, knits, and trims, and collect proper data to support development decisions Manage seasonal color lab dipping, printing, and special weave requests Mill & Vendor Relationships Develop and maintain relationships with mills and vendors worldwide, leveraging expertise in the global yarn and textile mill landscape Negotiate pricing, MOQs, and lead times with suppliers Attend trade shows domestically and overseas to source new materials and identify innovations Cross-Functional Partnership & Administration Partner with Design, Product Development, and Production throughout all stages of development through bulk Maintain seasonal budgets and reports, and manage physical and digital fabric/trim libraries Maintain calendar timing to ensure on-schedule development Resolve material-related challenges as they arise

Minimum Qualifications: 3-5 years of direct, hands-on experience in yarn, fabric, and/or trim sourcing and development within apparel or textile manufacturing Must have technical knowledge of knitting, yarns, textiles, and trim development, including knit stitches, knit gauge, and yarn sizing, across both woven weaves and knit fabrics Expertise in global yarn and textile mills, with established vendor relationships Proven ability to negotiate pricing, MOQs, and lead times with vendors Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple seasonal timelines simultaneously Degree or diploma in textile/knit engineering, fashion, or a related field preferred, or equivalent work experience Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed

Physical Demands: Communication: Ability to effectively communicate with internal teams, vendors, and mill partners; ability to accurately process and complete documentation, reports, and testing data. Manual Dexterity: Ability to handle yarn, fabric, and trim samples; operate computer and office equipment. Mobility: Ability to move within an office, design studio, and mill/factory environment, including sample rooms and libraries. Lifting: Ability to lift and carry sample materials, yarn cones, and fabric rolls up to 25 pounds. Vision: Close vision and color discrimination required to evaluate yarn, fabric, and trim quality.

Travel: Regular domestic and international travel to trade shows, mills, and vendor facilities based on the seasonal calendar. Setting: Primarily an office/design studio environment; occasional exposure to factory or mill environments with machinery noise.

Schedule: Standard business hours, with flexibility required around trade show schedules and seasonal deadlines. Our Commitment St. John is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. At-Will Employment Employment with St. John is at-will. The Company reserves the right to modify job responsibilities or reassign positions at any time to meet the evolving needs of the business. Privacy By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our California Applicant Privacy Notice.