Sporting Fashion & Goods
Senior Materials Developer, Global Apparel (multiple positions)
Mid Level
Beaverton, United States
in office
Full time
Buying, Procurement & Supply ChainSupply Chain
Job description
About the Role
These roles sit within the Global Apparel Materials & Trims teams and support the broader Apparel portfolio across multiple product dimensions and consumer opportunities. Reporting into two Apparel Materials Development Directors, they partner closely with Design, Product Management, Technical Development, Colour, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Quality, and vendor partners. As key members of the product creation team, they act as connectors across functions, balancing design intent, technical feasibility, speed-to-market, and commercial viability.
Key Responsibilities
- Evaluate emerging material technologies, supplier capabilities, and market trends to identify opportunities that elevate product performance and consumer relevance.
- Drive material and trim development timelines from concept through production readiness, ensuring key milestones are achieved.
- Lead material testing, validation, and risk assessment activities to ensure products meet performance, quality, and commercialisation standards.
- Collaborate with vendor partners to develop, refine, and commercialise innovative material and trim solutions.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships that support speed, innovation, quality, and operational excellence.
- Identify risks early and provide clear recommendations and mitigation plans to support informed decision-making.
- Continuously improve development processes, driving efficiency, simplification, and reduced lead times across the materials development lifecycle.
- Document and communicate material specifications, development status, risks, and opportunities with clarity and consistency.
- Mentor and support teammates through technical expertise, knowledge sharing, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Contribute to the long-term materials strategy and innovation roadmap for Nike Apparel Development.
Required Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Textile Science, Apparel, Materials Engineering, Product Development or related field; will accept any suitable combination of education, experience, and training.
- A minimum of 3 years directly relevant work experience.
- Deep knowledge of fabrics, yarns, knitting, weaving, dyeing, printing, finishing, and garment manufacturing processes.
- Proven experience leading material and trim development from concept through commercialisation and production readiness.
- Strong understanding of material performance requirements, testing methodologies, quality standards, and risk management practices.
- Experience working directly with textile mills, trim suppliers, manufacturers, and development partners to create and commercialise products.
- Ability to evaluate material construction, cost, performance, manufacturability, and sustainability considerations to support informed decision-making.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
- Experience partnering effectively across Design, Product Management, Technical Development, Sourcing, Manufacturing, and Quality functions.
- Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority and drive alignment across a diverse group of internal and external partners.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate trade-offs, risks, and recommendations.
- A passion for innovation, continuous learning, and building new capabilities that enable speed, quality, and consumer relevance.
- Ability to travel as needed to support vendor engagement, material development, and commercialisation activities.
- Strategic and hands-on, capable of leading complex material development initiatives while navigating the pace and agility required within Product Creation.
- Naturally curious, continuously exploring material innovations, manufacturing capabilities, and emerging industry trends to identify opportunities that improve performance, quality, sustainability, and speed.
Preferred Skills
- Experience in Trim development (techniques, technologies, and application) would be preferred.
- Experience working with domestic and overseas vendors, sample rooms, ateliers, and manufacturing partners is preferred.
- Familiarity with digital product creation tools, material libraries, PLM systems, and 3D development tools is a plus.
The Application Process
Accommodations are available to complete the interview process, including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed.
- Complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form if assistance or an accommodation is needed due to a disability.
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