Materials & Hardware R&D Manager – Leather goods - MCM WORLDWIDE

Accountabilities

This position is responsible for managing all Fabric & Materials related matters in the development execution, and approval of fabrics & Materials that meet MCM fabric standards. This position supports the design, product development and merchandising teams in seasonal development of fabrics and constant R&D for MCM. This role requires a candidate to interact with multiple cross functional partners, as well as overseas offices and suppliers. Candidates must be able to thrive in a fast paced environment. Be extremely organized, clear communicator and have a high taste level.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the newness and innovation of fabric sourcing for specified seasonal categories.
• Support the execution of the fabric development process as directed by the Global Creative Director, Chief Supply Chain officer and design.
• Assist with sourcing and researching innovative and seasonal material’s trends that satisfy both MCM's vision and market trends.
• Construct and maintain a detailed material reference library, ensuring to archive material records, swatches, and samples.
• Conduct research and development on new materials, new technic, treatment, specially sustainable materials that suits the luxury positioning.
• Partner with Design for seasonal direction, identifying repeat qualities and new development.
• Constantly upgrade and level up the existing key material and hardware.
• Source seasonal design requests with appropriate suppliers and offer creative solutions if the request is outside MCM brand's sourcing and pricing strategy;
• Assist with research and development of all materials – leather, MMM, Textile and hardware until complete and approved by Design;
• Collaboration with LG Production;
• Review price/value/IMU targets for all basic programs and align with production;
• Help to identify opportunities for competitive sourcing;
• Ensure product integrity by facilitating the testing of all materials with Global Compliance prior to placement, needs to ensure performance and safety;
• Partner with textile technologist and/or mill to understand technical issues/limitation of the raw material while working with suppliers to resolve/improve;
• Manage material with related functions from beginning of development through Final Hand Off;
• Partner with Design, Development, Procurement and Production teams to build and maintain a mill vendor matrix that meets the required sourcing strategy;
• Update and control all material specifications;
• Challenge and negotiate costing to meet target prices with suppliers;
• Establish and maintain seasonal material charts, seasonal core and fashion boards for high level meeting, and the seasonal research fabric library including material tool box;
• Define and address problems, issues and concerns that impact the operations. Collaboratively update appropriate team members;
• Highlight potential testing issues and partner with sourcing team, overseas fabric team and mills to trouble shoot and resolve fabric quality issues in order to meet testing requirements;
• Work with design to ensure adopted fabrics for main line/ show are in line with merchant needs and target price points. If adopted qualities are above target price will work with alternative suppliers and or materials to re-develop original or counter source;
• Creation of material archive and materials library;
• Review all material or leather developments, trials and hand looms with design for approval with Global Creative Director and Chief Supply Chain officer;
• Adding new material in system at the beginning of each season, or when new material is approved;
• Ensure that the sampling process follows the timelines as required by the business;
• Relationship building with suppliers and offices.
• Competitor research and analysis.

Requirements

• Process a Material and Textile Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience;
• 5 to 7 years’ experience;
• Must have expertise in raw materials and strong technical understanding;
• Must have strong analytical skills and communication skills;
• Must have the ability to negotiate and build consensus across multiple functions;
• Must have working knowledge and understanding of Production and Design;
• Must have the proven ability to work closely and partner effectively with designers;
• Must have vendor relationships;
• Must have a thorough understanding of testing protocol, product integrity requirements, product cycle timeline, leather goods construction;
• Must be proficient in MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.