Columbia Sportswear Company, a global leader in the design, marketing and sourcing of outerwear/sportswear apparel and footwear, is famous for its quality outdoor product. What you may not know is that in addition to making a great product, Columbia is a great place to work! Our Materials Research department in Portland, OR is seeking a new member for their team to work closely with Apparel Design and Merchandising to procure critical design information related to the material development of a style or product category.
Title: Materials Research Analyst III
Department: Materials Research
Location: Portland, OR
Requisition Number: 7058
Mission:
Manage the fabric development process for Outerwear or Sportswear from concept through to commercialization. Must remain true and sensitive to the creative directions of Design/Merchandising while striving to maintain the highest quality standards for Columbia Sportswear. Provide training and direction to junior Materials Research Analysts.
Essential Job Functions:
Work closely with Design and Merchandising to procure critical design information related to the material development of a style or product category.
Work with Sourcing Manager to determine potential countries of production for new fabrics. Distribute all relevant development information to concerned liaison offices and/or domestic vendors. Monitor new material developments to ensure that they are developed within established timelines.
Maintain seasonal fabric development list. Includes communicating development status, changes, potential quality issues as well as general concerns to Design, Merchandising, Product Development and Sourcing.
Identify material testing requirements that need to be communicated to liaison offices and fabric mills. Document these requirements. Review material samples prior to approval to ensure that they meet design requirements as well as Columbia Sportswear specifications and quality standards.
Develop working knowledge of our suppliers and liaison offices, their abilities and limitations.
Offer suggestions, changes and production perspectives to improve fabric quality and ensure successful commercialization during manufacturing.
Conduct technical research relating to materials development, customs issues, or production materials that do not conform to Columbia Sportswear standards. Keep abreast of changes to textile test methods.
Travel to do on site research and fabric approvals as needed.
Requirements:
College degree with course work in textiles, manufacturing or related experience. Five to seven years experience in materials development/ materials laboratory or related field or a combination of equivalent education and related experience.
For a complete job description, please visit our website at www.columbia.com.
To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume, indicating your job title of interest, to resumes@columbia.com.
