Position Title:
Director of Fabric Development
Department:
Design
Reports To:
Vice President of Design
Primary Location:
Detroit, MI
Employment Status:
Hybrid // 2-3 days in office
***Only applicants within a commutable distance to the Detroit Metro Area will be considered***
Position Overview:
The Director of Fabric Development will lead the end-to-end development and sourcing of raw materials across all product categories—Men’s, Women’s, and Children’s. This role is central to driving innovation in fabric technology and performance, while maintaining Greyson’s commitment to elevated quality and luxury. You will collaborate cross-functionally with Design, Product Development, and Sourcing teams to ensure that our materials pipeline is both creatively inspiring and commercially sound.
Key Responsibilities:
- Seasonal Fabric Strategy: Partner with Design leadership to define the seasonal raw material vision that aligns with the brand’s creative and performance goals.
- Fabric Innovation & Development: Lead the sourcing and development of new fabrics, focusing on luxury performance textiles and technical advancements.
- Supplier Partnership Management: Build, nurture, and evaluate global partnerships with mills and raw material suppliers to ensure innovation, reliability, and best-in-class service.
- Cross-functional Communication: Act as the key liaison between Design, Product Development, Sourcing, and offshore teams to align on fabric status, sampling needs, and production timelines.
- Library & Data Management: Build and maintain both physical and digital fabric libraries. Ensure accurate and timely data management in AirTable, including fabric approvals and development timelines.
- Raw Material Lifecycle Oversight: Own the supplier base and track performance across development, sampling, and bulk stages. Evaluate and mitigate risk through excess fabric reviews and supplier performance audits.
- Cost & Timeline Negotiation:Lead negotiations for fabric and trim costs and timelines to ensure alignment with margin and calendar goals.
- Team & Workflow Planning:Assess team bandwidth and resource needs for the Fabric Development function. Partner with the VP of Design to build and scale the department strategically.
Qualifications:
- 8+ years of fabric development experience, preferably in luxury or high-performance apparel
- Deep knowledge of fabric construction, dyeing, finishing, and performance technologies
- A strong network of global mills and material suppliers
- Proficiency with digital tracking tools (e.g., AirTable or PLM systems)
- Exceptional organizational, negotiation, and communication skills
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects and manage timelines in a fast-paced environment
- Detail-oriented with a strong eye for quality, innovation, and brand alignment
- Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence without direct authority
Greyson is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Unlimited Paid Time Off Policy (Full-Time)
- Paid Sick Leave
- 13 annual paid company holidays
- Competitive employee discount
- Paid Family Leave Program (maternity and bonding)
- Company paid long-term and short-term disability insurance
- Comprehensive Medical Coverage (medical, dental, vision) with company HSA contribution
- Tax Advantage Accounts (FSA, HSA, FSA Dependent Care, 401k (match targeted for 2025), 401kRoth)
About Greyson Clothiers:
Greyson Clothiers is an apparel and retail company dedicated to creating innovative, high-quality clothing and lifestyle products. We are driven by our passion for excellence, authenticity, and community engagement. With a deep commitment to craftsmanship and design, we strive to inspire our customers through unique products that blend performance and style.
***Only applicants within a commutable distance to the Detroit Metro Area will be considered***
110000.00 To 120000.00 (USD) Annually
