Fabric Research & Development Manager, Beyond Yoga

JOB DESCRIPTION

Female founded and led, Beyond Yoga creates buttery soft activewear and beyond for every size, shape, moment, and movement from our own line of meticulously researched fabrics.

Our obsession for softness and fabrics, and a relentless pursuit of quality and fit makes Beyond Yoga a fan favorite at every stage of life.

We proudly celebrate diversity and welcome all ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and identities.

We encourage our team to be active members of their local and global communities through opportunities like Social Good Day to participate in a cause of their choosing.

Like us, the people we hire are passionate, honest, warm, enthusiastic, and fun!

In September 2021, we joined Levi Strauss & Co., one of the world’s largest brand-name apparel companies and a global leader in jeanswear.

Beyond Yoga operates as a standalone brand with the benefit of LS&Co.’s global capabilities to help it achieve its goals of brand-building, store opening, category expansion and distribution.

Position Overview :

We are looking for a Senior Fabric Research & Development Manager to bring creativity and expertise to our team. This role will be instrumental in developing fabrics that meet our aesthetic, sustainability, and performance goals while aligning with global sourcing strategies and quality standards to differentiate our products in the market.

Key Responsibilities :

Innovation :

• Stay abreast of industry trends, technological advancements, and emerging materials.
• Prioritize and align innovation projects with core business strategies and key initiatives.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify opportunities for differentiation and innovation.
• Advocate for sustainable and environmentally responsible fabric solutions.
• Protect intellectual property through appropriate measures, including non-disclosure agreements and patents.
• Define performance metrics and report progress to key stakeholders.

Research & Development Strategy :

• Lead & provide technical expertise and support to business, suppliers, and vendors, keeping up-to-date with industry trends, regulatory standards, and new technologies.
• Ensure proper development effective process focus on timelines and approval attempts per match.
• Manage technical and economic feasibility trials to evaluate new materials and processes.
• Collaborate with Operations to streamline processes and create SOPs that enhance supply chain efficiency and internal operations.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to influence decision-making.

Product Development :

• Apply expert knowledge to raw material analysis and interpretation.
• Work closely with design, product development, and production teams to ensure fabric development aligns with product specifications and timelines.
• Develop and manage material standards and test methods in partnership with the Product Integrity team.
• Create and share technical specifications for raw materials with suppliers and vendors.
• Execute the technical validation and approval process for raw materials and resolve related issues effectively.
• Research and develop sustainable raw materials and processes to enhance product and supply chain efficiency.
• Mitigate risks by ensuring transparency in the supply chain, including chemical management and compliance programs.

Training and Mentoring :

• Provide formal and informal technical mentoring to vendors and suppliers.
• Build a network of third-party support to drive continuous learning.
• Offer training and onboarding for vendors and suppliers, monitoring for continuous improvement.

Vendor Relationships :

• Cultivate a strategic network of contacts to expand capabilities and expertise.
• Develop transformational partnerships with vendors and suppliers to support business strategies, innovation, and quality improvements.

Qualifications :

• 8-10 years of experience in the textile or related industry with a proven track record in fabric R&D and project management.
• Expert knowledge of yarn spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, polymers, and finishing processes.
• Expert technical knowledge of garment dry and wet processing, printing, and finishing processes.
• Knowledge in the manufacturing of cut and sew garments.
• Experience with large-scale commercial manufacturing and commercialization.
• Strong background in engineering and validating performance claims.
• Expertise in material testing methods and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
• Strategic and conceptual thinking skills with strong project management capabilities.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and work effectively in a global environment.

The expected starting salary range for this role is $96,600 - $146,200. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role.

The amount a particular employee will earn within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but limited to, relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, performance and business needs.

Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) offers a total rewards package that includes competitive pay, incentive plans, and a wide array of benefits designed to help you and your family stay healthy, meet your financial goals, and balance the demands of your work and personal life.

Available benefits vary depending upon the specifics of the role; details relating to a specific role will be made available upon request.

Note : No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable.

The amount and availability of any bonus, benefits or other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company’s sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Levi Strauss & Co. is committed to equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, and recruiting and maintaining a workforce that welcomes and respects people from diverse backgrounds while enabling our employees to make an impact.

We value the unique combination of talents, experiences, and perspectives of each employee, making our collective success possible.

EOE M / F / Disability / Vets

LOCATION

USA, Culver City, Beyond Yoga HQ

FULL TIME / PART TIME

Full time

Current LS&Co Employees