Materials Developer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Champro® is a privately-owned sporting goods and apparel manufacturer that has been in business for 30+ years. We deliver high-value, traditional & innovative athletic equipment and apparel via outstanding, integrity-driven customer service. Our business philosophy is focused on our customers and we take pride in providing them with the best overall values in team sports products.

This role supports the development, testing and commercialization of fabrics, trims, and raw materials used across our product portfolio. The position works closely with suppliers, product development, quality, and design teams to ensure materials meet performance, quality, cost, and aesthetic requirements. This role is ideal for someone with a background in textile science, textile technology, material development, or apparel product development who wants to build expertise in fabric development and material performance.

• Assist in researching and organizing new fabric, trim, and color inspiration to support seasonal concept development.
• Coordinate fabric and trim testing for shrinkage, stretch, colorfastness, fiber content, durability, and other performance requirements.
• Maintain material performance databases and testing history records. Support the development of raw material quality surveillance programs and testing protocols.
• Enter and maintain accurate material, trim, and color information in PLM and shared tracking tools.
• Partner with Design to distribute development swatches, lab dips, and submit samples for review and approval.
• Help prepare seasonal development boards and assist with internal presentations to Design and Product teams.
• Monitor development calendars and follow up with vendors to keep sample and testing timelines on track.
• Track material and color testing results and communicate key findings to appropriate teams.
• Coordinate inbound and outbound sample shipments, ensuring proper labeling and documentation.
• Help consolidate feedback from Design, Product, and Technical teams to ensure clear direction is provided to vendors.
• Support vendor communication and development timelines.
• Provide general administrative and logistical support to the material, trim, and color development team.
• Act as a back-up to the Color Developer and assist on color-related projects as needed, based on performance and capability.
• Assist in tracking fabric submittals and coordinate testing for qualities beyond color and GSM, such as shrinkage, stretch, or fiber content.
• Support the development of a QC surveillance program for raw material testing—including defining testing protocols, frequency, and implementation processes—and assist in building a record-keeping system (in Google Sheets/ Smartsheet/Kubix)
• Assist with QC investigations related to raw material issues (e.g., color bleeding) by identifying root causes and proposing potential resolutions for team evaluation.
• Support pre-production planning efforts by helping monitor sampling timelines and, as the process is defined, coordinating expectations around TOP sample timing.

• 1-3 years of relevant experience in textiles, apparel, color, or materials development (internships included)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proactive communication skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks at once
• Working knowledge of textile construction, fabric performance characteristics, fiber content, knit/woven structures, dyeing, finishing, and garment manufacturing processes preferred.
• Coursework or experience in textile testing, textile science, fabric engineering, material development, quality assurance, or product development strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of Excel; familiarity with PLM systems a plus
• Bachelor's degree in Textile Science, Textile Engineering, Textile Technology, and Material Science.

We are proud to offer eligible associates a full-range of benefits including medical, dental, vision and life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability, 401K, Profit Sharing, paid time off, holidays, and reimbursement toward gym membership fees. A collaborative atmosphere working together to exceed our customers’ expectations, as well as, an Equal Opportunity Employer bringing together diverse individuals to develop new and innovative solutions