Summary
The Manager will lead yarn research, seasonal development, and commercialization support for Polo Brands. This role collaborates with design, merchandising, sourcing, technical, and supplier partners to develop commercially viable yarn solutions from concept through bulk production.
Responsibilities
- Lead seasonal yarn research and development, proposing brand-right qualities, blends, and sourcing options.
- Manage development timelines, approvals, testing, and production readiness milestones.
- Maintain yarn platforms, supplier capability information, development data, costing, and seasonal metrics.
- Evaluate feasibility, quality, cost, lead times, capacity, and sourcing risks with mills, spinners, and sourcing teams.
- Communicate updates, risks, recommendations, and mitigation plans to cross-functional partners.
Requirements
- Experience in yarn development, raw materials, knitwear or sweater development, product development, sourcing, or a related apparel function.
- Strong knowledge of yarns, fibers, blends, spinning, dyeing, finishing, knitwear construction, testing, and garment manufacturing.
- Ability to evaluate yarn quality, performance, cost, minimums, lead times, and supplier capabilities.
- Strong collaboration, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Computer proficiency, including Excel, Outlook, PLM, and Airtable.
- A bachelor's degree in textile development, fashion or apparel, product development, sourcing, or a related field is preferred.
