Materials Developer

Location: Seattle - Hybrid

Role: Full-time

About this role

Outdoor Research is looking for a Materials Developer to research, source, develop, and commercialize raw materials and innovative technologies across in our technical material categories. This role will serve as the primary relationship holder for a given category and drive efficiencies in OR’s seasonal materials toolbox. You will work closely with your cross-functional partners in design, merchandising, product development, sourcing, QA and report directly to our Senior Materials Manager.

What you will do

• Research and develop industry-leading technical materials with yarn and finish forward performance that align with OR’s product strategy, design vision, problem solving for the end use and technical performance needs of our customers.
• Partner with Product Management and Design teams to strategically develop and source a toolbox of key materials that maximize efficiencies and profit across categories, support business needs, including long-range and speed to market opportunities, identify gaps within the toolbox and develop the future roadmap of materials
• Evaluate emerging material trends and technology across multiple industries and attend seasonal fabric fairs.
• Negotiate material cost, lead times, and MOQ and maintain the fabric library, materials database files, and supplier matrix for the assigned categories on a seasonal basis.
• Manage lab and field testing of textiles for the assigned categories, to ensure fabrics meet OR’s standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional team to ensure that all materials developments meet or exceed financial targets and corporate calendar deadlines. Effectively drive decisions, and problem solve for cross-functional toolbox requests.
• Provide technical guidance on material transitions from development to bulk production, ensuring consistency and quality at commercialization
• Forge mutually positive relationships with raw materials suppliers, work directly with global mills to develop and commercialize fabrics, troubleshoot challenges, and maintain high execution standards.
• Assess risks and effectively communicate to senior leadership the seasonal material toolbox status.
• Provide materials expertise and education to cross-functional teams and partners across the business
• Coordinate material orders for prototypes and partner with the planning team to coordinate SMS yardage and greige planning.
• Collaborate cross functionally to drive sustainability goals through material category.

Experience and Qualifications

• BA or BS degree in You have a degree in Materials Science, Textile Technology, Product or Textile Design or equivalent industry experience
• 3-5 years of textiles development with experience in technical or performance knit and woven constructions, lamination and finishing techniques
• Thorough understanding of textile manufacturing, including dying, finishing, laminating, printing etc.
• Experience working directly with top-tier mills to develop and commercialize materials.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of translating technical information for cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in Centric PLM systems and Excel for material tracking and development management.
• Knowledge of AATCC and ASTM testing protocols, ensuring fabrics meet performance expectations.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.

What do we bring to the table?

• 11 paid holidays each year and 3 floating holidays
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans
• PTO and sick/safe time
• Paid volunteer time
• 401k with discretionary company match
• Transportation benefits
• Bouldering wall
• Product discounts
• Employee interest groups including various sports activities