Juicy Couture Fabric R&D Director (Arleta, CA)

Overview:

Partnering with design, merchandising, CAD, production and our overseas partners, responsible for making sure the brand is designing into and purchasing fabrications that meet performance standards, price point, quality and the Juicy aesthetic, from conceptual “kick off” through to fabric adoption.

Responsibilities:

•Co-ordinate the development of fabric (knits and wovens) by acting as a “liason and advisor” between the design, merchandising and PD function in LA and the mills and overseas offices used for off shore and domestic production. •Working with design from the concept stage to develop and source fabrications, aligned to our global sourcing strategy. •Regularly meeting with the 3 design directors and director of concept, in order to keep them up to date and informed with the latest trends in fabrications and yarns. •Initiating general brainstorm sessions with the design teams so that we are continually assessing fabrications and ways in which we can move them on to maintain core categories of our business. •Use extensive knowledge of fabric categories to ensure designs vision for fabric sourcing and fabric development remain commercially viable and are executed to the Juicy Aesthetic, within strict calendar deadlines. •Frequent global travel to Japan, Korea, India, China and Europe for fabric shows, mill visits and strategy meetings with our overseas partners. •Daily tracking of fabric developments and assisting PD with the flow of proto yardage, salesman sample yardage, lab dips and strike offs so that key calendar dates in the flow of garment production are consistently met. •Request, track and communicate all details of fabric development, ensuring that fabrics are executed and adopted in conjunction with key calendar dates. •Using extensive knowledge of a global mill network and experience in fabric development to work with production and PD teams on key fabric price points and origin of fabric manufacture to help drive margin initiatives and our global allocation strategy. •Working with CAD and design to ensure artwork and designs are created in a way that reflect the technical limitations of the fabrication it is planned to be used for. •Work with product development team, production team and the technical fabric team on issues relating to fabric, including; fabric testing performance, color, quality of bulk and salesman sample yardages, print execution, wash, delivery and general call outs on potential issues once tech packs have been issued. •Maintain a focused and relevant fabric matrix, that allows us to offer design innovation and quality for all our product groups, yet also allows us to leverage core product areas in terms of price, speed of delivery and service. •General price and lead time negotiation on both salesman sample yardage and bulk as well as claim negotiation where needed.

Qualifications:

•Bachelor Degree in textile development or other related field of study •Experience in fabric sourcing, or a fabric related field •Strong organizational / follow-up skills •Excellent technical knowledge of all textile/fabric. •Working knowledge and understanding of Production. •Ability to act as liaison between many departments: excellent communication and analytical skills. •Detail oriented and able to handle multiple tasks in a fast-pace environment. •Computer skills: Microsoft Excel proficient.

Posted by Kris Iringan

Lucky Brand Director Allocation (Vernon, CA)

Rooted in rock'n'roll with a signature sense of humor, Lucky Brand Jeans stands for independent thinking, individual style and a feeling as authentic as love. Friends since youth, creators Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman shipped the first order of Lucky Brand Jeans in 1990, and have been renowned for their great-fitting, vintage-inspired jeans and clothes ever since. Lucky Brand Jeans is sold at over 150 neighborhood Lucky Brand Jeans stores internationally, at LuckyBrandJeans.com, and in variety of department and specialty stores Overview:
Lucky Brand is a rapidly growing brand offering apparel, accessories, fragrances, and jewelry for women, men and children. Established in 1990, Lucky Brand has become one of America's favorite denim brands with a sense of humor evident in its trademark "Lucky You" fly. Lucky Brand products are sold through its own 226 retail and outlet stores within the US, its company website (www.luckybrand.com), select group of high-end department and better specialty stores, and through international retail partners in Asia, Middle East, and Canada.Responsibilities:
Develop Allocation Strategy and Store Inventory Plans •Collaborate with Merchants and Planners to develop and communicate a comprehensive allocation strategy for channel/division level to achieve:

fiscal sales, margin, and receipt plans in units •Coordinate end to end inventory management with cross function partners, ensuring timely and accurate deliveries that are in line with merchandising floor sets. •Conduct a quarterly hindsight and detailed review of historical performance, providing recommendations and guidance for future season deliveries. Weekly Business Management •Identify risks and opportunities based on analytical observations and provide recommendations to deliver overall company financial objectives •Provide inventory management recommendations to ensure in stock position and maximizing sell thru on floorsets •Develop merchandising and allocation strategies and present to cross-functional team and senior management Owner of Store Inventory •Lead and direct allocation and flow strategy for each floorset •Drive In stock position by store on basic replenishment merchandise •Present current and future allocation strategies on a rolling calendar approach •Highlight risks and opportunities with recommendations to deliver overall company financial objectives •Drive results to maximize selling by developing store groups, specialized store assortments and receipt flow in partnership with Planning Team, Merchants and Distribution Center Management •Present receipt flow, in stock positioning and store tests and performances at monthly SFR meetings. Assortment Planning & Assortment Planning Prep •Validate receipt plans and flow strategy of receipts, directing the team
Posted by Kris Iringan

Hanes Fabric Technician (NYC)

Fabric Technician I

Job ID: 3281-0210-18099
Location: US-NY-New York
Posted Date: 2/12/2010
Category: Product Development - Other
Due Date: 2/19/2010
Consider VISA sponsorship?: No
Relocation?: no

More information about this job:
Overview:

Position assists in researching fabric trends in the marketplace and driving development of new fabrics that are in keeping with these trends. Position will assist in setting specification and qualifying fabrics to execute the appropriate design interpretation, as well as, the technical performance characteristics to meet end use requirements. In conjunction with internal and external manufacturing sources, incumbent will populate the HbI fabric library with trend right and product specific fabrics, while supporting ongoing seasonal development of fabrics as required.

Responsibilities:

1. Assist in the research, recommendation and suggest direction of new/innovative fabrics with a focus on driving fabric development that support a specific HbI business unit(s). Tracks fabric development concept to a production ready state.
2. With direction from Design, assist in the identification of new fabric development ideas through existing and new mills, libraries and from scratch (inclusive of fabric, seasonal and novelty fabrications and fabric-type trims,) to deliver on seasonal business plan objectives.
3. Assists in developing, qualifying and setting performance specifications for all fabrics. Post on HbI team site for global access.
4. Populate trend and platform fabrics in the HANESbrandsfabric library for designers and merchandisers to utilize.
5. Develop and maintain material database and all status reports in HANESbrandssystems. (Includes the fabric development matrix with information on all developed fabric, and a sample plan by quantity and colors.)
6. Suggest leveraging fabrics between brands whenever possible to maximize cost competitiveness.
7. Stay current with new technologies, processes, etc. in the textile industry.
8. Suggests new fabrics for assigned product lines, as well as, across HANESbrands.
9. Understand and ensure adherence to the product development timetable milestones for new material developments
10. Assist in the transfer of all product information to the factory liaison..
11. Provide input into seasonal fabric and trim trends by attending industry trade shows, forecast services and market shopping.
12. Partner to expand supplier base to support new fabric initiatives

Qualifications:
Minimum Education and Experience Required:
BS Textiles or related field with 3-5 years experience or 7-11 years experience without degree
Limited fabric manufacturing experience and/or prior research and development experience in fabric development/technology
Limited to moderate level of awareness regarding knit and woven
Must possess the ability to handle multiple projects and utilize time management skills.
Candidate must possess excellent communication/interpersonal skills as they will be required to work closely with the US and global team and vendors/manufacturers in various countries.
Limited domestic travel.

To qualify, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and should not require now, or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status.


Posted by Kris Iringan

Abercrombie & Fitch Sourcing Fabric Manager (New Albany, Ohio)

Position Title: Sourcing Fabric Manager

Reports to: Sr. Director, Sourcing

Location: Home Office - New Albany, OH

POSITION SUMMARY:

• Maintain and develop vendor relationships to ensure key partnerships for future growth
• Work with Merchandise Manager on sourcing strategy based on a 3-year plan
• Continuous Fabric Research and Development in order to adhere to corporate calendar; identify appropriate mill base to work back to regional sourcing and identify fabric counter-sourcing needs.
• Work with Technical Design team to understand factory challenges and streamline vendor submit/approval process

Sourcing Strategy:

• Work closely with head merchant, design, and sourcing director to align vendors and mills based on global sourcing strategy.
• Identify and establish desired lead times that will facilitate desired garment lead times per country origin.
• Assist in fabric and garment cost negotiations to achieve seasonal cost objective. Global cost negotiations based on company wide annual denim buy.
• Identify price challenges or opportunities in the market.
• Explore and Set up new vendors which will contribute towards ANF sourcing strategy. On board new vendors.
• Work with director to establish seasonal sourcing strategy.
• Identify and negotiate vendor seasonal capacities to ensure on time delivery.
• Work with QA to ensure that vendors meet and exceed garment quality requirements.

Fabric Management:

• Work with merchant team and projections to ensure on time delivery of fabric to and garments by managing T&A's
• Create and maintain a channel of communicate with mills on a weekly basis to inform mills of plan changes in order to maintain an appropriate level of inventory to respond to the market needs.
• Negotiate and manage mill capacities and flows.
• Ensure mills compliance to MTL testing as established by ANF QA / testing requirements.

Fabric R&D:

• Responsible to manage fabric from pre- production thru adoption and adhere to seasonal calendar dates.
• Work with design and mills to develop and identify innovative fabrics which meet each divisions design direction.
• Work closely with design to select fabric which meets current cost parameters
• Source key mills in line with current market trend and design needs. Ensure the mill compliments sourcing strategy.
• Set up and maintain fabric specs and mills info into ANF Web PDM systems.
• Visit key mills to asses capabilities, operating standards, and determine compatibility with ANF.
• Maintain current organized inspirational fabric library.
• Work with design and merchants following kick-off to establish A&F fabric strategy by season.
• Correlate with sourcing director after kick-off to establish fabric pricing target.
• Continually expand mill base to align with sourcing strategy and diversify overall mill base to support company growth.
• Attend weekly cross-functional meetings with design, merchants and tech so that everyone is able to adhere to the corporate development calendar.
• Maintain annual Denim R&D calendar.
• Hindsight with sourcing director/merchant/design based on previous season mill performance and QA record.
• Manage and coordinate all design wash trips, including ordering all sample yardage for wash development and wear test process.
• Work closely with tech design and QA on all issues pertaining to fabric, resolve fabric issues presented from wear test and bulk yardage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required
• 8-10 yrs experience in Production/Sourcing
• Extensive travel throughout Asia/Subcontinent
• Experience working with factories to validate WIP and assess potential delivery issues
• Ability to evaluate a factory's capabilities/capacity to ensure successful long term growth
• Ability to travel - 35%-40% of time
• Experience interfacing with Merchant role and understanding of costing principles

Job

Fabric

Primary Location

OH-Columbus

Schedule

Full-time

Posted by Kris Iringan

Ralph Lauren Menswear Digital Asset Coordinator (NYC)

Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For more than 40 years, Ralph Lauren’s reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets.

Purpose and Scope: Provides effective management for select Menswear Brand samples; from the inception of the buy through the entire creative process, to the products publication on the web. Directs and coordinates activities to ensure sample timeliness, accountability and trafficking to the appropriate destinations.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for maintaining an organized and efficient sample storage system
• Communicate with vendors on a regular basis to ensure timely receipt of appropriate samples.
• Establish effective relationships with Polo Ralph Lauren Departments and Licensees in order to procure samples as necessary.
• Receive, log and tag samples
• Maintain packing slip for invoice reconciliation
• Run and evaluate all necessary reports to ensure sample accuracy and timeliness. (IssueTrak, PMC, etc)
• Provide verbal and written sample status updates as directed, including weekly NOW reports and seasonal pre-launch
• Work with Merchandising Team and vendors to develop creative solutions to problems or issues surrounding samples.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from College or University; or work related experience
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organization and problem solving skills
• Strong organizational and problem solving skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Team player, ability to work late and/or weekends as necessary (rare)
• Computer/technology literate, proficiencies in MS Excel essential

Polo Ralph Lauren is an equal opportunity employer. We offer dynamic career opportunities with growth potential and a generous company discount.

Posted by Kris Iringan

Talbots Colorist (NYC)

DESCRIPTION:

The Colorist position is responsible for final approval of all lab dips and bulk submissions for a specific product category of the Ready-To-Wear division. This includes evaluating all lab dips and bulk and making critical decisions to meet time and action calendar.

REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge and experience at a level normally acquired through the completion of an Associates' Degree, Textile Degree preferred or course work in the Color Industry. Must have two years experience evaluating color utilizing a lightbox and/or a spectrophotometer instrument preferably in the garment or textile industry. Good verbal and written communication skills, ability to problem solve and exceptional organizational skills are required.

Posted by Kris Iringan

Urban Outfitters Fabric Researcher (Philadelphia, PA)

Fabric Researcher

Tracking Code

4095

Job Description

Title: Fabric Researcher

Reports to: Assistant Design Directors or Managing Director

Objective: To constantly be sourcing and developing new fabrics for knits, wovens and intimates teams. Work in advance of designers to keep ahead of fabric trends and maintain fabric development calendar timeline while also working in collaboration with Designers with their specific fabric needs.

Responsibilities:

• Identify fabric trends as they develop and research new fabrics as envisioned by the design teams.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with fabric mills and familiarize yourself with both domestic and international markets. Travel as needed in order to do so.
• Identify core fabrics with design and merchant teams, have the ability to engineer fabrics into appropriate price points.
• Present fabric direction bi-monthly to design teams and upper management.
• Be aware of all deadlines, leadtimes and pricing needs in order to make appropriate fabric suggestions.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with the other design departments, design coordinators, production, tech, merchandising, sales and our agents.
• Maintain a fabric library of core fabrications that can be utilized as needed by all design departments.
• Keep track of all fabric liabilities.

Skills:

• Experience and knowledge of both domestic and international fabric mills and showrooms.
• Passion for identifying and researching fabrics.
• An understanding of what fabrics are suitable for the Free People customer.
• Creative and technical knowledge of developing new fabrics and finishes.
• Knowledge of washes for all fabrications preferred.
• Knowledge of fabric printing preferred.

Miscellaneous Responsibilities:

• Special projects as needed.

Posted by Kris Iringan