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Material Development Trims Apparel Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Proven success in managing material and trim development projects against timelines to stay on track with seasonal delivery schedules * Experience with PLM systems and project management ...

Associate Designer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Strong understanding of apparel construction, garment fit, materials, trims, wash techniques, print development, and packaging components. * Experience working directly with mills, factories, and ...

Development: * Manage the trim development process for all Outlet Men's & Women's from initial ... Supervise maintenance of material library. * Prepare and present weekly trim cross-functional ...

... trims, materials, and apparel manufacturing with a keen eye for the finest details. A collaborative ... development. Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex ideas in a clear ...

... and kid's apparel, accessories, entertainment and beauty. Centric Brands is focused on our ... Material Development & Tracking: * Manage and track lab dips, handlooms, knit downs, and trim ...

Development: * Manage the trim development process for all Outlet Men's & Women's from initial ... Supervise maintenance of material library. * Prepare and present weekly trim cross-functional ...

... trims, materials, and apparel manufacturing with a keen eye for the finest details. • A ... development. • Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex ideas in a clear ...

... and kid's apparel, accessories, entertainment and beauty. Centric Brands is focused on our ... Material Development & Tracking: * Manage and track lab dips, handlooms, knit downs, and trim ...

... and kid's apparel, accessories, entertainment and beauty. Centric Brands is focused on our ... Material Development & Tracking: * Manage and track lab dips, handlooms, knit downs, and trim ...

Associate, Materials

Stamford, CT · On-site

$19.75 - $27.25/hr

... raw material or product development, or internship experience in apparel/textile industry ... Knowledge of fabrics, trims, and basic garment construction. * Familiarity with costing, trade ...

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Material Development Trims Apparel information

See salary details

$52K

$101.5K

$148.5K

How much do material development trims apparel jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for material development trims apparel in the United States is $101,454.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,000.00 and $129,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Material Development Trims Apparel Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Material Development Trims Apparel Specialist, you need expertise in textile science, materials sourcing, and garment manufacturing processes, often supported by a degree in textiles, fashion, or a related field. Familiarity with PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems, textile testing standards, and supplier management tools is typically required. Strong attention to detail, project management skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with cross-functional teams distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure the consistent quality, functionality, and timely delivery of trims that are essential for successful apparel production.

What are Material Development Trims in Apparel?

Material Development Trims in apparel refer to the process of designing, sourcing, and developing the small components used in garments, such as buttons, zippers, labels, threads, and elastics. These trims are essential for both the functionality and aesthetics of clothing items. Professionals in this role collaborate with designers, suppliers, and manufacturers to ensure that trims meet quality, performance, and sustainability standards. Their work impacts the final look, durability, and overall quality of apparel products.

What is the difference between Material Development Trims Apparel vs Material Sourcing Specialist?

AspectMaterial Development Trims ApparelMaterial Sourcing Specialist
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in fashion, textiles, or related fieldOften requires a degree in supply chain, business, or related field
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, development labs, manufacturing facilitiesProcurement offices, supplier meetings, warehouses
Industry UsageFocuses on creating and testing trims, fabrics, and materials for apparelFocuses on sourcing and purchasing materials from suppliers

Material Development Trims Apparel professionals focus on designing and testing trims and fabrics to meet product specifications, while Material Sourcing Specialists handle the procurement process, sourcing materials from suppliers to ensure quality and cost efficiency. Both roles are essential in apparel production but differ in their core responsibilities and work environments.

What are some common challenges faced by Material Development Trims professionals in the apparel industry, and how are they typically addressed?

Material Development Trims professionals often encounter challenges such as aligning trim selections with both design vision and production feasibility, managing supplier lead times, and ensuring trims meet quality and compliance standards. To address these, they closely collaborate with designers, sourcing teams, and suppliers to balance creative ideas and technical requirements. Regular communication, early sample approvals, and diligent testing processes help minimize delays and ensure trims are delivered on schedule and to specification.
Infographic showing various Material Development Trims Apparel job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $101,454 per year, or $48.8 per hour.
Senior Manager of Materials

Senior Manager of Materials

Truewerk

Denver, CO • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Company Description
At TRUEWERK, we believe craftsmanship is a mindset that should be applied to every endeavor. We value precision in the details, discipline in the process, and a commitment to excellence whether we're building a house or a spreadsheet.
We believe the people whose skilled, physical work keeps our society running deserve gear that mirrors the tremendous value they create. We meticulously design, test, and refine every product to optimize performance and reflect the pride and professionalism of the people who rely on it.
We serve customers across the U.S. and Canada through TRUEWERK.com, Amazon, and a growing network of retail and enterprise partners. Backed by a dedicated Team of about 50 employees and a strong growth trajectory, we're building a company-and a culture-grounded in performance, integrity, and continuous improvement.
Job Description
We're looking for a highly driven Senior Manager of Materials based near Denver, CO who thrives on building exceptional product experiences through performance knit and woven materials. This role is for someone eager to dive in, move fast, and make critical material development decisions that directly impact our products and customers. You'll lead agile development efforts, shape testing protocols, and work hands-on with mills and suppliers-building strong partnerships while pushing materials to perform at the highest level.
HOW YOU'LL DO IT:
  • Live Truewerk values of Acting Intentionally, Staying Open and Curious, Leading with a Feel, Earning It, and Being in the Arena
  • Embrace and champion a fast-moving, iterative material development culture-pivoting quickly, testing bold ideas, learning from failure, and refining material concepts to deliver high-impact, user-driven products
  • Focus on minimum viable products by recognizing the point of diminishing returns in early product development
  • Adapt to shifting priorities using 3-week sprint cycles within the seasonal release calendar; maintain timeline management across mills, trims, and development resources

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
Fabric Engineering: 40%
  • Clearly communicate consumer needs and pain points to mills, and support associated material development efforts in a hands-on capacity to ensure material experience and quality standards are exceeded.
  • Partner with mills to coordinate and manage performance testing plans and material quality standards for new and existing materials to drive consistency and improvement in quality and performance
  • Manage seasonal material development including new colors and print, manage and comment on lab dips, in partnership with internal and external resources, participate in design reviews
  • Execute fabric compliance, sustainability, and product safety according to applicable regulations

Sourcing : 30%
  • Source, qualify, cost, and lead the development of high performance knit and woven fabrics, technical yarns, fibers, and membranes with high tech textile mills
  • Forge productive mill relationships through collaboration, communication, and articulating experience goals and the why behind development initiatives
  • Ability to qualify mills based on technical and process competencies
  • Ability to engage in precosting and negotiate new development cost with suppliers

Quality 20%
  • Conduct quality assurance through bulk production reviews of color, appearance, and handfeel
  • Contribute to the development and upkeep of quality manuals for mills

Innovation: 10%
  • Partner with finished goods and material suppliers to develop innovative material and construction capabilities and introduce new material concepts that support product development and business goals

Qualifications
Must Have
  • 8-10 years of experience in technical material development, specifically with performance knits and wovens for the athletic, outdoor, or tactical industries.
  • Expertise in performance attributes (e.g., moisture management, dry rates, waterproof/breathable ratings, durability testing) and the corresponding testing methodologies (e.g., ASTM, ISO, NFPA, AATC standards).
  • Proven ability to translate user experience goals into technical fabric specifications and manage complex development timelines with global vendors
  • Ability to analyze trade-offs between aesthetic, performance, and functional attributes of materials
  • Ability to understand and articulate root cause of a material experience at the fiber and material construction level
  • Experience partnering with and managing overseas suppliers, vendors, factories, and resources
  • Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally on a quarterly basis

Preferred
  • Innate level of handiness and understanding of our consumer's work, with an ability to communicate in their language and "talk trades"; capable of jumping in on the job site
  • Proven success in managing material and trim development projects against timelines to stay on track with seasonal delivery schedules
  • Experience with PLM systems and project management methodologies (we use Backbone)
  • Experience with laminating/bonding processes for outerwear.
  • Degree in Textile Science/Engineering or equivalent experience

Additional Information
TRUEWERK is committed to providing fair and competitive compensation through a combination of base salary and performance-based bonuses. Other benefits include but are not limited to:
  • Employer-paid medical (HDHP & PPO options) and dental plans
  • Optional vision, pet, accident, cancer, critical illness, and hospitalization insurance
  • Company-sponsored life, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
  • Affordable coverage for dependents and domestic partners
  • HSA with monthly employer contribution
  • FSA, dependent care, and commuter spending accounts
  • Employee Assistance Program (free mental health, financial, and legal counseling)
  • Professional development reimbursement program
  • Volunteer and community-building opportunities
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Monthly hybrid work stipend
  • Hybrid work environment (with great snacks!)
  • Annual performance bonus
  • Unlimited PTO policy and paid company holidays
  • Free workwear for you and discounts for friends and family!

Salary Range: $105,000 - $115,000 base salary + bonus
Applications for this role are expected to be accepted at least through June 12, 2026.
TRUEWERK is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at TRUEWERK are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, age, religion, family or parental status, pregnancy, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, and local laws.
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