MANAGER, MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT - APPAREL

Location: Portland, Oregon (Hybrid)
Job Type: Contract, Jan-June 2026
Compensation Range: $35 - 37 per hour

A global leader in the sportswear and performance apparel industry is seeking a Manager, Materials Development (Apparel) to join their Creation & Innovation team. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the textiles, trims, and prints that define future product lines - from early concepting through commercialization.

In this role, you'll serve as the central connector between Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Quality, and global suppliers. You'll drive seasonal material development, ensure data accuracy, guide material selections, and translate aesthetic concepts into viable, scalable, and innovative material solutions.

This is a great fit for someone passionate about textiles, materials innovation, sustainability, and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities:

• Act as the go-to expert for all material-related questions across Design, Product, Sourcing, and Quality teams.
• Lead cross-functional discussions, drive material consolidation efforts, and ensure strategic alignment across categories.
• Guide Tier 2 suppliers to translate design intent into innovative, commercially viable materials.
• Initiate and manage seasonal material developments, ensuring accuracy, price targets, timelines, and quality standards are met.
• Ensure all material specs and data are accurately maintained in internal databases.
• Partner with teams across regions to maintain material toolboxes, share insights, and drive process consistency.
• Participate in early trend research: source inspiration from fairs, supplier meetings, material shows, and internal partners.
• Support initial material price negotiations during development.
• Ensure seasonal materials meet testing, performance, and quality requirements.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering, Materials Science, Apparel Development, or related field.
• 2+ years of experience in material development, textile research, or a related apparel creation role.
• Strong communication and presentation skills - able to influence, guide, and educate cross-functional teams.
• Solid understanding of the apparel creation process, garment lifecycle, and how material choices affect performance and production.
• Ability to identify material issues early and offer alternative options.
• Highly organized, strong multitasking skills, and comfortable managing multiple seasonal timelines.
• Proficiency with MS Office and ability to work within internal material databases.
• Experience with 3D tools or digital material workflows is a plus.
• Curious mindset, continuous learner, and someone excited about pushing what's possible in sport and performance materials.

JOBID: 122025-119047
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Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Cella, a randstad digital company, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact HRsupport@randstadusa.com.

Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Cella by randstad digital offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).

This posting is open for thirty (30) days.