Materials Developer

At Fanatics Commerce, we’re more than just a leader in licensed sports merchandise – we’re a team united by a relentless passion for our fans and a commitment to innovation. We live by our BOLD Leadership principles: We Build Championship Teams, we’re Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined and Relentless Mindset. If you’re ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

The Material Developer is to guide the capabilities of our new and existing fabric &/or trim suppliers through workflow optimization and expert knowledge, which spans everything from concept through constructing prototypes to bulk production. Develop and maintain an applied material portfolio to support our creative design team. This involves coordinating with the US and PCC teams to oversee the development, approvals, and production-ready status of all material in the designated product line, to deliver quality products in a timely & consistent manner.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT:
Concept Development
• Support end-to-end material development process that enables and elevates innovation, productivity, efficiency, quality, and profitability.
• Research and develop trends and innovation continuously by working closely with Product Development and PCC.
• Prepare data & material for trend presentation, present at kick off.
• Track developments by calendar due dates.
• Come up with seasonal updates to core materials, incorporating market and performance trend, by GBB buckets.
• Receive, send out cuttings & review submits of materials from suppliers to PCCs.
• Work cross functionally with design/merch for comments on submits.

Test & Validate
• Work with PCC/suppliers to proactively solve testing issues and communicate with PI/CFT.
• Support necessary DEQ testing to designated product service model.
• Receive and review failed testing specimen with manager.
• Proactively identify risk & work on solutions to mitigate testing issues by researching new material/fibers/techniques, in partnership with Product Development.

Daily Activities
• Monitor work in progress (WIP), create & maintain tracking and all Material-related record keeping, data input, and in/out parcel coordination. Update weekly information
regarding approval/comments to CFT.
• Organize and maintain the material library & on-time seasonal tool-box, ensuring meets global standards.
• Create and maintain carryover & seasonal materials boards, publish as approved.
• Gather data for adoption ratio post buy & analyze for adoption ratio and department overview of material usage by channel, with suggested roadmap.
• Facilitate timely communication with internal and external parties between US offices & PCC.
• Compile weekly metrics & analysis to support material KPI’s.
• Partner with Material Manager/ Director to identify opportunities within the process to increase speed, efficiency & quality.
• Input report card metrics for on-time sample performance, quality & communicate with PCC on suggested action plans.
• Support SOP documentation, distribution, and training relevant to necessary process updates for internal & external partners. Inclusive of being a SME in cross-functional
SOP validation.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE TEAM:
• Bachelor's degree in raw Textiles, Clothing Technology or manufacturing related field.
• 5+ years of experience and strong technical knowledge gained in retail/manufacturing environment covering all areas of textiles from fibers, yarn, material construction,
finishes, printing and quality. Experience with performance fabrications preferred.
• History of established strong partnerships with fabric suppliers globally and can navigate difficult situations to drive solutions while maintaining positive relationships.
• Experience visiting mills & have a keen eye for quality, compliance, cost negotiations & process optimization.
• Understanding of AATCC and ASTM industry test methods.
• A team player with a good attitude, strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in product line management (PLM), databases, and MS Office applications, 3D development experienced is a plus.
• Must be detail-oriented, able to multitask, and punctual in meeting deadlines.
• Ability to juggle multiple deadlines and tasks in a fast-paced environment. Strong sense of urgency and intuitive sense of priorities and accuracy.
• Ability to communicate verbally and written in a clear, concise, tactful manner.
• Willing and able to travel extensively, often to foreign and/or remote locations.

At Fanatics, we value transparency and honesty. If you don’t meet every single requirement, that’s okay – we still want to hear from you! We believe in the power of diverse experiences and talents. If you’re excited about the role and confident that you can contribute, don’t hesitate to apply. We’re genuinely interested in how your unique skills and perspective can help us build something amazing together.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

Culture: Join a team where you're surrounded by top-tier talent, driven by a shared passion to relentlessly enhance the fan experience. With a focus on collaboration, support, and continuous development, you’ll be empowered to help shape our culture that celebrates both individual and team successes.

Benefits: At Fanatics, we’re dedicated to supporting you in all aspects of work and life; as such we offer a range of competitive benefits tailored to each country in which we operate. Specific details regarding the benefits package applicable to your location will be shared and discussed during the interview process.