Raw Materials Manager - Activewear

ABOUT THE ROLE

Splits59 is seeking an experienced Raw Materials Manager to own the full lifecycle of fabric and trims from initial development through bulk production. This is a hands-on, technically demanding role that sits at the intersection of product development and production. You will be the primary point of contact for all mill relationships and the internal authority on fabric quality, testing, and standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES

•    Lead fabric development from initial mill briefs through strike-offs, lab dips, and bulk approval

•    Manage lab dips including submission, review, and approval across all colorways

•    Create, maintain, and enforce fabric quality standards across all material categories

•    Own the testing protocol for all raw materials - performance, hand feel, wash/care, colorfastness, pilling, and other relevant metrics

•    Evaluate and document test results; flag deviations and drive corrective action with mills

•    Ensure bulk fabric meets approved standards prior to production release

•    Manage fabric ordering from development samples through bulk production cuts, ensuring accurate quantities, timing, and specifications

•    Work directly with dye houses and mills to evaluate and optimize dyestuffs and dye additives for color consistency and long-term stability

•    Ensure proper fixative treatments and auxiliary chemicals are specified and applied to minimize bleeding, crocking, and fading across all fabric types

•    Document approved dye formulations and additive protocols as part of the fabric standards library

•    Negotiate pricing, lead times, and MOQs in alignment with seasonal targets

•    Identify and qualify new mill sources to support brand growth and reduce single-source risk

•    Maintain an organized, current lab dip library across all development and production stages

•    Curate and manage the fabric library, ensuring swatches, specs, and vendor information are accurately documented and accessible

QUALIFICATIONS

•    5 years of experience in raw materials, fabric development, or textile sourcing within the apparel industry

•    Deep knowledge of performance fabrics required - including technical stretch fabrics, woven nylons and knits

•    Experience with DWR, moisture management, and other functional fabric finishes strongly preferred

•    Strong understanding of textile construction - including yarn type, knit and woven structures, gauge, and weight - and how construction variables interact with finishes, additives, and chemical treatments to optimize performance attributes such as stretch recovery, compression, moisture management, hand feel, and durability

•    Familiarity with lab dip approval processes and color management

•    Strong working knowledge of fabric testing standards and quality metrics

•    Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail in documentation and tracking

•    Effective communicator - able to work cross-functionally with Design, PD, and Production.

•    Experience at a premium or performance activewear brand preferred