What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fabric Manager position at G-III Apparel Group?
Fabric Manager
Department: Karl Lagerfeld
Reports To: SVP of Design
Location (On-Site – 5 Days per Week): New York City, Midtown Manhattan – Fashion District
Success Profile
The Fabric Manager is responsible for overseeing fabric research and development as well as pre- and post-production fabric execution across the product lifecycle. This role partners closely with the Vice President of Fabric R&D, Design, and Production teams to ensure fabric quality, aesthetic integrity, cost control, and on-time delivery. The ideal candidate is a textile expert with a strong eye for color and construction, deep fabric knowledge, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
Fabric Research & Development
- Partner with Design and the VP of Fabric R&D to initiate and drive the seasonal fabric adoption process across multiple product categories.
- Lead early-stage seasonal sourcing initiatives for assigned divisions.
- Provide expertise on fabric construction, innovation, performance, and technical feasibility to internal teams and external partners.
Pre-Production & Production Support
- Collaborate with Production teams to initiate pre-production fabric inquiries and align on material and quality requirements.
- Communicate fabric specifications, testing standards, and technical expectations to mills and vendors.
- Review and approve all fabric submission samples, including lab dips, handlooms, strike-offs, and bulk cut approvals.
- Analyze fabric testing reports to ensure compliance with company standards and provide approval feedback.
Quality, Costing & Process Management
- Monitor fabric quality and integrity throughout development and production to ensure consistency with design intent and delivery timelines.
- Maintain and update fabric costing charts, PLM entries, and fabric development WIP reports on a daily basis.
- Partner with Production to resolve fabric-related challenges efficiently and proactively.
Communication & Collaboration
- Maintain regular communication with cross-functional partners and leadership to review issues, risks, and directional updates related to fabrics.
- Build strong working relationships with mills, vendors, and factories globally.
- Organize and maintain the fabric library and reference resources.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Textiles, Design, or equivalent professional experience preferred.
- 7 years of experience in the apparel and/or textile industry with hands-on fabric development responsibility.
- Strong understanding of fabric development and quality processes across the full product lifecycle.
- Deep knowledge of fabric construction within a specialized area (woven, knit, yarn, trim) and general knowledge across woven and knit categories.
- Solid understanding of dyeing, printing, and finishing techniques.
- Outerwear fabric experience is a plus.
- Highly detail-oriented with strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite; experience with PLM, PDM, and collaboration tools (e.g., MS Teams) preferred.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
- 401(k) with company match
- Generous PTO and paid holidays
- Employee discounts across G-III brands
- Career growth opportunities within a global fashion organization
- A collaborative, innovative environment working with industry-leading brands
Pay Range
$80,000 – $85,000 per year
Please note that the foregoing compensation information is a good-faith assessment associated with this position only and is provided pursuant to the New York City Salary Transparency Law.
About G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.
G-III excels at bringing excitement and confidence to customers through the fashion we create. We are global experts in design, sourcing, manufacturing, distribution, and marketing, enabling us to fuel the growth of a substantial portfolio of brands. With more than 30 licensed and owned brands—including some of the most sought-after names in global fashion—our success is driven by our entrepreneurial spirit and deep industry relationships.
G-III’s owned brands include DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld Paris, Donna Karan, Vilebrequin, Sonia Rykiel, G.H. Bass, Bass Outdoor, Andrew Marc, Eliza J., GIII Sports and more. G-III has fashion licenses under Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Cole Haan, Dockers, Guess?, Kenneth Cole, Levi’s, Vince Camuto, Margaritaville, and more. G-III also operates retail stores for the DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld Paris, and Donna Karan brands.
Salary : $80,000 - $85,000