Raw Material Developer

Knix is a direct-to-consumer intimate apparel brand that is re-inventing intimates for real life. Through our innovative products and our engaged community, we are empowering people everywhere to be unapologetically free. Launched in 2013, we are one of the fastest-growing companies in Canada and are globally recognized as an innovator within the apparel space.

The Raw Material Developer will support the Knix product development process by applying new thinking to fabric creation and sourcing. You will bring the capabilities of our new and existing products to life through expert knowledge of fabric performance and functionality. A day in the life of a Raw Material Developer entails everything from selecting fabrics for prototypes, travelling to fabric shows and offshore factories, reviewing lab test and wear test data, communicating with vendors and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

The Opportunity

• Support end-to-end seasonal design and development process that enables and elevates innovation, productivity, efficiency, quality and profitability.
• Travel to fabric shows to source new fabric collections, trims and concepts.
• Partner with fabric suppliers to deliver highly innovative fabrics and provide technical support with design, product development, product integrity, and garment vendor partners.
• Uphold the fabric development calendar and adhere to seasonal calendar deadlines.
• Coordinate meetings between mills, design & product development as needed to find new fabric qualities and finishing techniques.
• Complete input details of fabrication in tech packs
• Execute technical validation and approval process for Raw Materials
• Partner with the QA team on fabric testing reporting and risk assessments on developments - level set quality, performance attributes and usage expectations to product cross-functional team.
• Follow new fabric concepts through the fitting, testing and approval process.
• Participate in weekly meetings to interact with Design, Technical and Sourcing to advise on new product development progress.

Qualifications

• You have 4-5 years of Fabric R&D/Production experience working closely & building relationships with fabric suppliers and overseas vendors.
• You are knowledgeable in the apparel manufacturing process as well as with performance fabric testing protocols.
• Solid raw material construction knowledgeClear understanding of raw material manufacturing techniquesStrong awareness of raw material trend direction, and research & development avenues.
• You have established strong partnerships with fabric suppliers and can navigate difficult situations to drive solutions while maintaining positive relationships.
• Understanding of AATCC and ASTM industry test methods.
• You have visited mill/fabric facilities & have a keen eye for quality, compliance & process optimization.
• Strong ability to lead your area of business and influence decision-making with peers and leadership.
• You can multi-task and adapt while maintaining a positive working relationship with all cross-functional departments in a fast-paced dynamic environment with colliding and fluctuating deadlines.
• You pay great attention to detail, are highly organized and adhere to deadlines.

How we Hire

Our people are what make Knix, Knix! Our people are passionate and have a strong belief in our mission. Our people are naturally curious and ambitious by nature. Employees feel respected and supported at Knix. We take an inclusive and equitable approach offering the same interview experience to every candidate we meet with. Knix is an equal-opportunity employer, we celebrate everyone and their intersecting identities. We know and believe that diverse and inclusive teams empower us to make better decisions and inspire innovation so that we can better serve our customers and community. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations and will work with you to meet your needs. If you are a person with a disability and require assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out! We celebrate our inclusive work environment and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply.