REI (Recreational Equipment Inc):
Senior Material Design and Development Job in Kent, VT
Premium
See who posted the job
Premium
Competitive Insights
Premium
Check your commute time
Closed
Kent, VT
Full-time | Design - Product
About the job
Senior Material Design and Development
Apply
Share
Posted Date: Jul-30-2019
Job ID: 11404
Job Type: Full Time
Job Function: Product Design/Development
City: Kent
State: Washington
Store: REI Headquarters is moving to Bellevue, Spring 2020!
What's cool about this job
As part of our design team, your role as a Sr. Materials Designer- Gear, will requires you to carry out all aspects of research, design and development in materials to support the overall design and development process. You’ll be responsible for researching and presenting material innovation and trend direction to the design teams, ensuring that our REI materials are on target for not just critical performance requirements, but also meeting aesthetic purposes. You’ll work closely with our vendors and partners to ensure our material goals are achieved. You’ll be involved in the overall material design process and work as a strategic partner with our designers and product management team to achieve the industry’s leading outdoor products.
• Research and present material innovation and emerging materials trends into material palettes by attending material shows and meeting regularly with suppliers
• Lead overall material direction based on trend & use while achieving target performance requirements and price
• Collaborate with Design, Product Management, Materials Development, Sustainability and Product Development to create materials that achieve specifics around product functionality, performance, aesthetics and sustainability requirements
• Manage material brief details with design and PLM partners to determine specific material direction for each product including performance and aesthetic characteristics
• Partner with Design team, Test Engineers and Materials Development team to ensure total material package is suitable for end use (meets both performance and aesthetic direction)
• Integrate sustainability targets into every aspect of materials design and development to achieve sustainability goals
• Work closely with materials Development team to ensure fabric commercialization process is successful
• Participate in sample review sessions to achieve best product oversight.
• Create a collaborative and strategic partnership with Materials Development team to manage mill relationships and material expectations
• Oversee coordination and review with Asia materials team to ensure all materials meet REI’s end-use needs and ensure information is documented and available for Materials Production and Execution team within calendar deadlines
• Review testing with product team to ensure fabric quality meets end use requirement
• Develop and maintain a materials library with up to date materials, testing history, and inspirational fabrics
• Create and manage tried and true, tested fabrics for the materials library which continue to achieve REI’s goals
• Continuously build advanced materials expertise and work to create a network of contact within the industry
• Evaluate the risk associated with all material developments and communicate them to the product teams
Bring your passion and expertise
• BS in Textile Design or related field; may be substitute with relevant experience
• 6+ years’ work experience in textile manufacturing, development, or design
• Ability to understand market trends and present to both large and small groups
• Ability to make sense of material trends and apply it to products.
• Comprehensive understanding of the textile manufacturing processes
• Knowledge of appropriate textile testing methods, interpretation and application of results.
• Knowledge of high performance textiles and the functional aspects of gear materials.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines within a product development calendar
• Working knowledge of global fabric sourcing trends and strategy
• Knowledge and/or experience in gear design processes from inspiration to production including the technical and manufacturing side of product development.
• Familiar with the management of colour, including lab dips
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrating effective listening through concise, clear verbal and written communication.
• Understanding of the big picture and an aptitude for cross function team collaboration.
• Ability to anticipate how a decision made can affect our customers, our strategic partners, other departments and the product in general – always looking out for what is best for our end consumer “it’s all about the product”
• Innovative thinking and the ability to use sound judgment to resolve problems.
• Willingness to go above and beyond by diving into the details, improving products and processes and helping out whenever necessary
• Computer proficiency: Word, Excel, PDM system, Illustrator, Textile Design Software, Outlook, etc
• A passion for the outdoors, creating production and living our values
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally
• Actively participates and collaborates with others on one's own team and across REI for the achievement of business goals.
• Flexible in one's viewpoints and positions in order to support the direction taken by others at REI.
• Uses business knowledge, innovative thinking, and sound judgment in the solution of problems or the pursuit of business opportunities.
• Consolidates information from various sources including feedback from others to reach sound decisions.
• Considers the ultimate impact of decisions and actions on internal and external customers.
• Works smart by setting effective work goals, establishing priorities, and planning well in order to produce quality work.
• Executes effectively by using resources efficiently, meeting deadlines, and keeping others informed of work plans and progress toward goals.
• Clearly conveys and accurately receives information by a variety of methods and in various situations.
• Builds rapport with all kinds of people inside and outside the organization.
• Acts upon opportunities and involves and influences others in the accomplishment of worthwhile organizational goals.
• Challenges the status quo, champions change and influences others to change.
At REI we offer an enviable work environment that has been recognized on the "100 Best Companies to Work For" list since the award's inception – 22 years in a row! Sure, we work hard, but it’s balanced with time off to play—a strategy that works for us as we continue to grow and thrive. Want to enjoy a workplace where you can be yourself, be heard and be respected while having a job that challenges you? This is the place.
With more than 150 retail locations (and growing), REI offers unique competitive benefits to its more than 13,000 employees, including healthcare, gear and apparel discounts, free equipment rentals and challenge grants to help employees reach personal outdoor goals, generous retirement plan contributions, public transit subsidy, adoptions assistance, paid sabbaticals, and more.
REI is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Apply
Back to job search
Share
Apply
Share
Posted Date: Jul-30-2019
Job ID: 11404
Job Type: Full Time
Job Function: Product Design/Development
City: Kent
State: Washington
Store: REI Headquarters is moving to Bellevue, Spring 2020!
What's cool about this job
As part of our design team, your role as a Sr. Materials Designer- Gear, will requires you to carry out all aspects of research, design and development in materials to support the overall design and development process. You’ll be responsible for researching and presenting material innovation and trend direction to the design teams, ensuring that our REI materials are on target for not just critical performance requirements, but also meeting aesthetic purposes. You’ll work closely with our vendors and partners to ensure our material goals are achieved. You’ll be involved in the overall material design process and work as a strategic partner with our designers and product management team to achieve the industry’s leading outdoor products.
• Research and present material innovation and emerging materials trends into material palettes by attending material shows and meeting regularly with suppliers
• Lead overall material direction based on trend & use while achieving target performance requirements and price
• Collaborate with Design, Product Management, Materials Development, Sustainability and Product Development to create materials that achieve specifics around product functionality, performance, aesthetics and sustainability requirements
• Manage material brief details with design and PLM partners to determine specific material direction for each product including performance and aesthetic characteristics
• Partner with Design team, Test Engineers and Materials Development team to ensure total material package is suitable for end use (meets both performance and aesthetic direction)
• Integrate sustainability targets into every aspect of materials design and development to achieve sustainability goals
• Work closely with materials Development team to ensure fabric commercialization process is successful
• Participate in sample review sessions to achieve best product oversight.
• Create a collaborative and strategic partnership with Materials Development team to manage mill relationships and material expectations
• Oversee coordination and review with Asia materials team to ensure all materials meet REI’s end-use needs and ensure information is documented and available for Materials Production and Execution team within calendar deadlines
• Review testing with product team to ensure fabric quality meets end use requirement
• Develop and maintain a materials library with up to date materials, testing history, and inspirational fabrics
• Create and manage tried and true, tested fabrics for the materials library which continue to achieve REI’s goals
• Continuously build advanced materials expertise and work to create a network of contact within the industry
• Evaluate the risk associated with all material developments and communicate them to the product teams
Bring your passion and expertise
• BS in Textile Design or related field; may be substitute with relevant experience
• 6+ years’ work experience in textile manufacturing, development, or design
• Ability to understand market trends and present to both large and small groups
• Ability to make sense of material trends and apply it to products.
• Comprehensive understanding of the textile manufacturing processes
• Knowledge of appropriate textile testing methods, interpretation and application of results.
• Knowledge of high performance textiles and the functional aspects of gear materials.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines within a product development calendar
• Working knowledge of global fabric sourcing trends and strategy
• Knowledge and/or experience in gear design processes from inspiration to production including the technical and manufacturing side of product development.
• Familiar with the management of colour, including lab dips
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrating effective listening through concise, clear verbal and written communication.
• Understanding of the big picture and an aptitude for cross function team collaboration.
• Ability to anticipate how a decision made can affect our customers, our strategic partners, other departments and the product in general – always looking out for what is best for our end consumer “it’s all about the product”
• Innovative thinking and the ability to use sound judgment to resolve problems.
• Willingness to go above and beyond by diving into the details, improving products and processes and helping out whenever necessary
• Computer proficiency: Word, Excel, PDM system, Illustrator, Textile Design Software, Outlook, etc
• A passion for the outdoors, creating production and living our values
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally
• Actively participates and collaborates with others on one's own team and across REI for the achievement of business goals.
• Flexible in one's viewpoints and positions in order to support the direction taken by others at REI.
• Uses business knowledge, innovative thinking, and sound judgment in the solution of problems or the pursuit of business opportunities.
• Consolidates information from various sources including feedback from others to reach sound decisions.
• Considers the ultimate impact of decisions and actions on internal and external customers.
• Works smart by setting effective work goals, establishing priorities, and planning well in order to produce quality work.
• Executes effectively by using resources efficiently, meeting deadlines, and keeping others informed of work plans and progress toward goals.
• Clearly conveys and accurately receives information by a variety of methods and in various situations.
• Builds rapport with all kinds of people inside and outside the organization.
• Acts upon opportunities and involves and influences others in the accomplishment of worthwhile organizational goals.
• Challenges the status quo, champions change and influences others to change.
At REI we offer an enviable work environment that has been recognized on the "100 Best Companies to Work For" list since the award's inception – 22 years in a row! Sure, we work hard, but it’s balanced with time off to play—a strategy that works for us as we continue to grow and thrive. Want to enjoy a workplace where you can be yourself, be heard and be respected while having a job that challenges you? This is the place.
With more than 150 retail locations (and growing), REI offers unique competitive benefits to its more than 13,000 employees, including healthcare, gear and apparel discounts, free equipment rentals and challenge grants to help employees reach personal outdoor goals, generous retirement plan contributions, public transit subsidy, adoptions assistance, paid sabbaticals, and more.
REI is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Apply
Back to job search
Share