Sr. Fabric and Wash Development Manager

Haddad is a privately held family business with over 100 years of experience in the children’s apparel & accessories industry. A leader in the industry, Haddad Brands is the exclusive global licensee for the most iconic brands in the world, including Nike, Jordan, Converse, Hurley, Levi’s, Polo, Abercrombie and Fitch, Lacoste, and Huggies. Supported by a team of professionals skilled in design, sourcing, production, sales, marketing & distribution of premium quality children’s wear, Haddad distributes globally to 100+ countries and maintains sales and sourcing offices in 22 cities globally, including New York, Paris, Hilversum, Shanghai, Egypt, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Montreal. 

Overview:

The Sr. Fabric and Wash Development Manager will oversee the product development process for a specific brand and work cross-functionally with design, sourcing, and suppliers to develop trend-right fabrics and washes, manage timelines and costs, and bring products from concept through production.

 Key Accountabilities:

• Manage wash and fabric development with factories and sample room to shorten lead time'
• Conduct market research and identify current trends and competitive data as it relates to Levi’s fabric and wash
• Source seasonal design requests (fabric, trim & wash) with appropriate garment and fabric suppliers to offer solutions within our sourcing and pricing matrix
• Attend all industry related trade and fabric shows
• Analyze fabric needs across the brand and make recommendations to sourcing and design to leverage qualities across styles
• Evolve and develop the materials supplier base to support sourcing goals and execution intentions
• Ensure material development milestones and calendar dates are met
• Maintain PLM library for fabric and wash
• Negotiate fabric prices with mills to meet the financial goals for the brand/category
• Partner with Brand Management team to identify key fabrics to maximize volume across all brands
• Maintain a fabric library and wash standards to support seasonal inspiration and production approvals
• Travel as needed overseas mills and factories
• Monitor and track development and costing from all suppliers to ensure timely handoff for sampling and to sourcing
• Special projects as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities/Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in International Trade or Business, Fashion Merchandising or related field
• 5+ years of experience in Sourcing or Fabric Development (denim and wash development experience required)
• Proven ability to work with international business partners to drive results
• Ability to travel as needed (up to 40%)
• Excellent organizational and communication skills with attention to detail

Consistent in-office presence is vital to the role as it is for all Haddad Brands team members, so that we all have a full appreciation, aesthetically and tactilely, of the qualities that define our brand partners’ products and set them apart from their competitors.