Materials Developer
Apply NowCompany: Outdoor Research LLC
Location: Seattle, WA 98115
Description:
About the Organization
About the Organization
Since 1981, Outdoor Research has been building award-winning outdoor clothing and gear. We stand behind every product we make with the Outdoor Research Infinite Guarantee warranty. Find out how we were born from our founder Ron Gregg's research-led approach to problem solving, and discover the origins of our first products in Our Story. Discover our roots in U.S. manufacturing, our legacy in Made in the USA tactical gloves, and our response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the development of face masks and medical-grade personal protective equipment in Protection. Learn about our product processes using recycled materials, how we enforce the safety and wellbeing of our workplaces, and our commitment to all people and the planet in Responsibility. Meet some of our community members who work to create safe, accessible, and equitable outdoor spaces in our Community Partnerships and our Ambassadors. We'd be thrilled to have you join the team and find your Career at Outdoor Research.
Outdoor Research Values
Curiosity: We are constantly striving to learn and improve ourselves. In our products, as a brand, as a team, and as individuals.
Passion: We love what we do and take pride in sharing our work with others.
Innovation: We are complex problem solvers.
Collaboration: We are better together.
Community: We embrace the collective impact we can have from our diverse perspectives; on each other, society, and our environment.
Position
Materials Developer
Description
Location: Seattle (Sodo), Hybrid
Rate: $80,000 - $90,000 Annual
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
Position Requirements
Experience and Qualifications
What do we bring to the table?
Employee interest groups including various sports activities
Exempt/Non-Exempt
Exempt
Full-Time/Part-Time
Full-Time
Location
Seattle, WA
EOE Statement
OR is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment in an unlawful manner. Employment-related decisions are made based on an individual's qualifications without regard to race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or military status, genetic information, political ideology or other applicable protected class status. This commitment extends to all employment practices including selection, hiring, placement, recruitment advertising, promotion or transfer, rate of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, demotion, layoff, or separation. All employment decisions are based upon the qualifications of the individual and the job requirements.
OR supports this commitment with an Affirmative Action Program, which is updated annually. The
objectives of the Affirmative Action Program are to ensure that our team reflects the diversity of our local community. We fully support affirmative action to include women, ethnic minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities throughout our workforce. The OR Affirmative Action Program is available for review by all employees and is maintained in the Human Resources Department.
This position is currently accepting applications.
About the Organization
Since 1981, Outdoor Research has been building award-winning outdoor clothing and gear. We stand behind every product we make with the Outdoor Research Infinite Guarantee warranty. Find out how we were born from our founder Ron Gregg's research-led approach to problem solving, and discover the origins of our first products in Our Story. Discover our roots in U.S. manufacturing, our legacy in Made in the USA tactical gloves, and our response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the development of face masks and medical-grade personal protective equipment in Protection. Learn about our product processes using recycled materials, how we enforce the safety and wellbeing of our workplaces, and our commitment to all people and the planet in Responsibility. Meet some of our community members who work to create safe, accessible, and equitable outdoor spaces in our Community Partnerships and our Ambassadors. We'd be thrilled to have you join the team and find your Career at Outdoor Research.
Outdoor Research Values
Curiosity: We are constantly striving to learn and improve ourselves. In our products, as a brand, as a team, and as individuals.
Passion: We love what we do and take pride in sharing our work with others.
Innovation: We are complex problem solvers.
Collaboration: We are better together.
Community: We embrace the collective impact we can have from our diverse perspectives; on each other, society, and our environment.
Position
Materials Developer
Description
Location: Seattle (Sodo), Hybrid
Rate: $80,000 - $90,000 Annual
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.
Position Requirements
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
Exempt/Non-Exempt
Exempt
Full-Time/Part-Time
Full-Time
Location
Seattle, WA
EOE Statement
OR is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment in an unlawful manner. Employment-related decisions are made based on an individual's qualifications without regard to race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or military status, genetic information, political ideology or other applicable protected class status. This commitment extends to all employment practices including selection, hiring, placement, recruitment advertising, promotion or transfer, rate of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, demotion, layoff, or separation. All employment decisions are based upon the qualifications of the individual and the job requirements.
OR supports this commitment with an Affirmative Action Program, which is updated annually. The
objectives of the Affirmative Action Program are to ensure that our team reflects the diversity of our local community. We fully support affirmative action to include women, ethnic minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities throughout our workforce. The OR Affirmative Action Program is available for review by all employees and is maintained in the Human Resources Department.
This position is currently accepting applications.