Fabric Optimization Specialist

The Fabric Optimization Specialist plays a crucial role in bringing the customer offer to life by establishing direct mill partnerships, focusing on new raw materials to drive simplification, cost reduction, lead time improvements, and enhanced quality for large volume value retailers. This role involves providing the design team with a new development toolkit to incorporate into their product range. Responsibilities of the Fabric Optimization Specialist include: - Understanding and interpreting strategic goals to drive raw material strategy for own brand product ranges. - Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to identify new raw material trends and translate them into commercial solutions for large volume value retailers. - Sourcing and scoping fabric from new and existing mills to establish independent sources of raw materials, providing innovative solutions for low-cost retailers. - Developing an optimal supply path that meets cost, quality, lead time, and end-use requirements. - Guiding the team on the application of raw materials into product ranges and coaching the design team on fabric principles and performance. - Negotiating raw material costs, lead times, and quality standards with suppliers. - Coordinating relationships between sourcing merchandising teams, suppliers, and fabric mills to optimize consolidation and drive application of raw materials into product ranges. - Establishing raw material quality and standards to meet cost, lead time, and quality requirements. - Setting up color and print approval processes and standards with mills. - Ensuring that all new fabrics meet the technical performance standards set by the Quality Team. - Providing technical expertise to troubleshoot and find solutions that align with business goals. - Driving continuous improvement in processes, efficiency, and cost optimization. Qualifications and Experience required: - Formal qualification in Textile Engineering/Textile Technology. - 5-7 years of experience in a similar role within a medium to large volume retail business. - Expertise in the raw material supply chain, including cut & sew, woven, and denim fabrications. - Experience in supplier sourcing, relationship management, and application of fabric into product ranges. - Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. - Ability to manage stakeholders, influence others positively, and prioritize customer focus. - Commercial acumen with a focus on cost and quality measures suitable for large volume retailers. Key Performance Indicators include sales, profit, Voice of Customer (VOC), and Voice of Team (VOT).,