Director of Fabric Development

Position Title: Director of Fabric Development
Department: Design
Reports To: Vice President of Design
Primary Location: Detroit, MI
Employment Status: Hybrid

Position Overview:
The Director of Fabric Development will lead the end-to-end development and sourcing of raw materials across all product categories-Men's, Women's, and Children's. This role is central to driving innovation in fabric technology and performance, while maintaining Greyson's commitment to elevated quality and luxury. You will collaborate cross-functionally with Design, Product Development, and Sourcing teams to ensure that our materials pipeline is both creatively inspiring and commercially sound.

Key Responsibilities:

• Seasonal Fabric Strategy: Partner with Design leadership to define the seasonal raw material vision that aligns with the brand's creative and performance goals.
• Fabric Innovation & Development: Lead the sourcing and development of new fabrics, focusing on luxury performance textiles and technical advancements.
• Supplier Partnership Management: Build, nurture, and evaluate global partnerships with mills and raw material suppliers to ensure innovation, reliability, and best-in-class service.

• Cross-functional Communication: Act as the key liaison between Design, Product Development, Sourcing, and offshore teams to align on fabric status, sampling needs, and production timelines.

• Library & Data Management: Build and maintain both physical and digital fabric libraries. Ensure accurate and timely data management in AirTable, including fabric approvals and development timelines.
• Raw Material Lifecycle Oversight: Own the supplier base and track performance across development, sampling, and bulk stages. Evaluate and mitigate risk through excess fabric reviews and supplier performance audits.
• Cost & Timeline Negotiation:
  Lead negotiations for fabric and trim costs and timelines to ensure alignment with margin and calendar goals.
• Team & Workflow Planning:
  Assess team bandwidth and resource needs for the Fabric Development function. Partner with the VP of Design to build and scale the department strategically.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of fabric development experience, preferably in luxury or high-performance apparel
• Deep knowledge of fabric construction, dyeing, finishing, and performance technologies
• A strong network of global mills and material suppliers
• Proficiency with digital tracking tools (e.g., AirTable or PLM systems)
• Exceptional organizational, negotiation, and communication skills
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects and manage timelines in a fast-paced environment
• Detail-oriented with a strong eye for quality, innovation, and brand alignment
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence without direct authority

Greyson is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Unlimited Paid Time Off Policy (Full-Time)
• Paid Sick Leave
• 13 annual paid company holidays
• Competitive employee discount
• Paid Family Leave Program (maternity and bonding)
• Company paid long-term and short-term disability insurance
• Comprehensive Medical Coverage (medical, dental, vision) with company HSA contribution
• Tax Advantage Accounts (FSA, HSA, FSA Dependent Care, 401k (match targeted for 2025), 401kRoth)

About Greyson Clothiers:
Greyson Clothiers is an apparel and retail company dedicated to creating innovative, high-quality clothing and lifestyle products. We are driven by our passion for excellence, authenticity, and community engagement. With a deep commitment to craftsmanship and design, we strive to inspire our customers through unique products that blend performance and style.