Materials & Hardware R&D Manager – Leather goods

Accountabilities
This position is responsible for managing all Fabric & Materials related matters in the development execution, and approval of fabrics & Materials that meet MCM fabric standards.
This position supports the design, product development and merchandising teams in seasonal development of fabrics and constant R&D for MCM.
This role requires a candidate to interact with multiple cross functional partners, as well as overseas offices and suppliers.
Candidates must be able to thrive in a fast paced environment.
Be extremely organized, clear communicator and have a high taste level.

Key Responsibilities
Drive the newness and innovation of fabric sourcing for specified seasonal categories.
Support the execution of the fabric development process as directed by the Global Creative Director, Chief Supply Chain officer and design.
Assist with sourcing and researching innovative and seasonal material's trends that satisfy both MCM's vision and market trends.
Construct and maintain a detailed material reference library, ensuring to archive material records, swatches, and samples.
Conduct research and development on new materials, new technic, treatment, specially sustainable materials that suits the luxury positioning.
Partner with Design for seasonal direction, identifying repeat qualities and new development.
Constantly upgrade and level up the existing key material and hardware.
Source seasonal design requests with appropriate suppliers and offer creative solutions if the request is outside MCM brand's sourcing and pricing strategy;
Assist with research and development of all materials - leather, MMM, Textile and hardware until complete and approved by Design;
Collaboration with LG Production;
Review price/value/IMU targets for all basic programs and align with production;
Help to identify opportunities for competitive sourcing;
Ensure product integrity by facilitating the testing of all materials with Global Compliance prior to placement, needs to ensure performance and safety;
Partner with textile technologist and/or mill to understand technical issues/limitation of the raw material while working with suppliers to resolve/improve;
Manage material with related functions from beginning of development through Final Hand Off;
Partner with Design, Development, Procurement and Production teams to build and maintain a mill vendor matrix that meets the required sourcing strategy;
Update and control all material specifications;
Challenge and negotiate costing to meet target prices with suppliers;
Establish and maintain seasonal material charts, seasonal core and fashion boards for high level meeting, and the seasonal research fabric library including material tool box;
Define and address problems, issues and concerns that impact the operations.
Collaboratively update appropriate team members;
Highlight potential testing issues and partner with sourcing team, overseas fabric team and mills to trouble shoot and resolve fabric quality issues in order to meet testing requirements;
Work with design to ensure adopted fabrics for main line/ show are in line with merchant needs and target price points.
If adopted qualities are above target price will work with alternative suppliers and or materials to re-develop original or counter source;
Creation of material archive and materials library;
Review all material or leather developments, trials and hand looms with design for approval with Global Creative Director and Chief Supply Chain officer;
Adding new material in system at the beginning of each season, or when new material is approved;
Ensure that the sampling process follows the timelines as required by the business;
Relationship building with suppliers and offices.
Competitor research and analysis.

Requirements
Process a Material and Textile Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience;
5 to 7 years' experience;
Must have expertise in raw materials and strong technical understanding;
Must have strong analytical skills and communication skills;
Must have the ability to negotiate and build consensus across multiple functions;
Must have working knowledge and understanding of Production and Design;
Must have the proven ability to work closely and partner effectively with designers;
Must have vendor relationships;
Must have a thorough understanding of testing protocol, product integrity requirements, product cycle timeline, leather goods construction;
Must be proficient in MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.