Who We Are:
Kontoor Brands, Inc. (KTB) is the parent company of Wrangler®, Lee® and Rock & Republic®, with owned manufacturing facilities in Mexico and Nicaragua. Kontoor also owns and operates over 140 retail stores across the globe. Our global company employs more than 15,000 people in 65 countries, with world headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, and regional headquarters in Geneva and Hong Kong.
Job Posting:
As the Manager, Fabric COE you will lead the center of excellence concerning all matters of fabric across business units. You will work on the development of fabrics to support the design function with product innovation that meets end-result retail needs but stays true to Brand DNA. You will assist to drive new, trend right, and innovative product consistent with the merchandising brief, needs of the consumer per each LBU. You will provide expertise in Fabric to the Design team to meet organizational goals.
Responsibilities:
- Creative Vision: Collaborate on the creative vision for Brand Fabric Development.
- Fabric Development Ownership: Responsible for the initiation, review and critique of fabrics, prototypes and product developments through the development life cycle. Drive active fabric development to attain Brands’ cost/margin needs. Facilitates and manages fabric liability disposition and utilization.
- GTM Adherence: Manage the Go-to-Market (GTM) milestones and deliverables as outlined by the specific brand/LBU calendars to ensure all key fabric development process are completed on-time.
- Identify Risk: Review, communicate and address related risk during the development process. Risk assessment on fabric for garment quality, timing etc.
- Drive Strategic Fabric Rationalization: Initiate and support Kontoor’s fabric rationalization strategy by supporting cross functional review of fabrics and driving focused fabric development creation.
- Counter Source Development: Facilitate the initiation and review of fabric counter developments to support Kontoor’s strategic initiatives.
- Process Improvement: Continually assess current processes and systems/tools for opportunities to drive efficiency improvement and speed to market.
- Technical Support and Supplier Development: Facilitate technical support for textile mills to ensure Kontoor Brands fabric is developed within correct cost parameters with correct aesthetic. Technical representative for the leadership team, supporting the development and implementation of a corporate global textile sourcing strategy and three-year plan.
Requirements:
- 7+ years of fabric development experience & industry knowledge
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in textiles, fabric construction
- Knowledge of fabric construction and performance, especially denim, and working knowledge of wet processing treatments
- Knowledge of global fabric sourcing and supplier base
- Knowledge of product costing and product cycles
- Strong team player and collaborator
- Proven ability to translate trends to specific targeted consumer needs
- Technical Textile Knowledge
- Effective communication skills
- Ability to influence and build strong relationships
- Leadership – lead by example
- Project Management experience
Physical Requirements:
- 10-15% Travel as Required
- Ability to Lift and Move boxes and samples
Why Kontoor Brands?
At Kontoor, we offer a comprehensive benefit package to fit your lifestyle and our benefits are crafted with the same care as our products.
When our employees are healthy, secure and well, they bring their best selves to work. Kontoor Brands supports you with a competitive benefits program that provides choice and flexibility to meet your and your family’s needs – now and in the future. We offer resources to support your physical, emotional, social and financial wellbeing, plus benefits like discounts on our apparel. Kontoor Brands also provides four weeks of Paid Parental Leave to eligible employees who are new parents, Flexible Fridays and tuition reimbursement.
Our Kontoor D&I Mission
At Kontoor, we believe that D&I is a key enabler to a culture that empowers us to work with passion and confidence, shaping our brand and future.
Our Kontoor D&I Commitment
- Create a global workforce of high-performing teams that both unlocks our individual uniqueness and harnesses our collaborative talents
- Ensure an equitable environment that attracts & promotes diverse workforce
- Foster inclusivity, ensuring employees feel they can bring their whole selves to work
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