Associate, Materials

About the role

The Associate, Materials supports Rhone’s Product Development, Production, Design, and Merchandising teams in the selection, development, and management of materials. This role provides hands-on support throughout the development process, ensuring materials meet design, performance, sustainability, and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Material Research & Development
• Assist in the selection, research, and development of fabrics, trims, finishes, and technologies aligned with Rhone’s product and brand goals.
• Support prototype and sample development, ensuring materials are prepared for development and tech packs are complete for sample-to-bulk production.
• Research and present industry trends related to innovation, performance, technology, and sustainability.
• Support fabric platforming from greige through prototype, SMS samples, and bulk production.
• Testing and Quality Validation
• Coordinate and support laboratory and field testing of materials.
• Track lab dip approvals, print approvals, and testing reports, coordinating with overseas partners as needed.
• Document test results and assist in preparing technical reports.
• Support troubleshooting of material performance issues in partnership with the QC team.
• Supplier and Partner Support
• Communicate with mills, vendors, and suppliers to request samples, technical data, pricing, and MOQ information.
• Support the management of existing mill and franchise relationships to ensure consistency and improvement.
• Aid in identifying and evaluating potential new supplier partners.
• Help compare supplier capabilities, pricing, and lead times to support sourcing decisions.
• Documentation and Data Management
• Maintain accurate material specifications, pricing, FDS, yardage availability, and technical data sheets.
• Update material data in internal systems and digital libraries.
• Organize and maintain physical and digital material libraries and sample archives.
• Track development timelines, approvals, and follow-ups to support on-time delivery.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Collaborate with Design, Merchandising, and Product Development teams to align material selection with seasonal and long-term product strategies.
• Support Production during material implementation from sample through bulk.
• Partner with Merchandising and Inventory teams to manage leftover materials for future use.
• Provide day-to-day support to the Materials/Fabric Development team and assist with project execution.
• Compliance, Sustainability & Cost Tracking
• Assist in ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Support documentation for certifications, audits, and sustainability initiatives.
• Aid in sourcing and evaluating sustainable or eco-friendly materials.
• Help track seasonal fabric spend, budgets, and invoice management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; relevant coursework or internships in textiles, materials, or product development a plus.
• 1-3 years of experience in raw material or product development, or internship experience in apparel/textile industry.
• Knowledge of fabrics, trims, and basic garment construction.
• Familiarity with costing, trade regulations, product integrity, testing protocols, and production timelines a plus.
• Basic understanding of US, Canada, and EU testing and compliance regulations.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Google applications; exposure to PLM systems preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Eagerness to learn, positive attitude, and collaborative approach.

Qualifications

• Full Time - 5 days a week in office

What You'll Get

• Competitive compensation
• Health, dental, vision, and ancillary benefits
• 401(k) with company incentive savings plan
• 10 company holidays annually
• Discretionary time off policy
• Career growth and advancement opportunities
• Clothing discount plus semi-annual gift card allotment