Raw Materials Developer

Role Overview:

As the Raw Materials Developer, you will play a critical role in driving material innovation, optimizing performance, and ensuring best-in-class quality for our premium active swimwear and lifestyle products. You will own the end-to-end development of fabrics, trims, and finishes, working closely with mills, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to bring high-performance materials to life while optimizing quality, cost, and lead time.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Raw Material Development & Innovation

• Research, develop, and validate best-in-class fabrics, trims and packaging for swimwear, activewear and lifestyle, focusing on performance, durability, stretch, and hand feel.

• Source and evaluate new fabrics,  finishes, trims and packaging solutions staying ahead of industry innovations.

• Partner with mills and suppliers to ensure materials meet brand standards for quality, sustainability, and performance.
  
  

2. Colour Development

• Coordinate fabric lab dip requests with mills and suppliers, ensuring submissions align with seasonal development calendars and production timelines. 

• Facilitate colour approvals, collaborating with design team to review dips and Oversee colour testing to ensure fabrics meet colorfastness and quality standards, coordinating with internal and external testing labs as needed.

• Track and manage lab dip submissions, maintaining clear records of submitted, revised, and approved colours and communicating feedback to suppliers.
  
  

3. Testing & Quality Assurance

• Develop and maintain raw material testing protocols for performance, stretch recovery, colorfastness, and durability.

• Partner with third-party testing labs to ensure compliance with brand standards and industry regulations.

• Analyze test data and resolve material issues before bulk production.
  
  

4. Supplier Management & Collaboration

• Build strong relationships with fabric mills, trim suppliers, and global vendors to ensure seamless material development and sourcing.

• Negotiate MOQs, costs, and lead times to align with business needs and margin targets.

• Oversee material commercialization and pre-production approvals to ensure readiness for bulk orders.
  
  

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Design, Product Development, and Production teams to align material choices with aesthetic, functional, and sustainability goals.

• Partner with Sourcing and Supply Chain to ensure efficient, cost-effective material planning.

• Collaborate with Technical Design and Production to solve material-related fit, construction, or performance challenges.

Qualifications & Skills:

• 5+ years of experience in Raw Material Development, Fabric R&D, or Textile Innovation, ideally in swimwear, activewear, or performance apparel.

• Strong technical knowledge of knits, stretch fabrics, trims, and sustainable material innovations.

• Deep understanding of fabric testing, quality standards, and material performance.

• Experience working with global suppliers, mills, and third-party testing labs.

• Ability to balance aesthetic, performance, cost, and lead time considerations.

• Excellent problem-solving skills, with a solution-oriented, proactive approach.

• Strong project management and organizational skills—you thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments.

• Passion for sustainability and material innovation, with an interest in eco-friendly and responsible sourcing.

 

Location: Left On Friday - Victoria

Reports To: Commercialization Manager

Full-time (Monday to Friday)

Salary Range: $70,000 - $90,000 CAD

 

Interested?
Submit your application here. Applications close March 31, 2026.