Materials Manager, Product Innovation at Reformation

Vernon, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Mid-level (3 to 4 years), Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Fashion, Apparel, Sustainable FashionIndustries

Requirements

5+ years of experience in materials sourcing, R&D, or management within Footwear, Handbags, Swim, or Jewelry
Experience with leather and leather goods required; bonus points for experience with traceable and regenerative supply chains
Strong supplier negotiation skills with proven ability to manage global vendor relationships
Deep technical knowledge of materials and components, including development, QA/testing, and compliance standards
Familiarity with certifications and standards (GOTS, RWS, GRS, Prop 65, EUDR, and REACH testing)
Skilled in trend research, trade show sourcing, and sustainable innovation
Highly proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, and G-Suite; PLM/ERP systems experience preferred
Excellent organizational, project management, and data tracking skills
Strong communicator and collaborator with cross-functional partners
Passionate about sustainability, innovation, and creating best-in-class materials programs

Responsibilities

Partner with Design to interpret seasonal concepts into fabric, trim, and component R&D across Footwear, Handbags, Swim, and Jewelry
Attend trade shows and supplier fairs, researching and presenting trend and innovation opportunities by category
Build and manage vendor relationships, onboarding new mills and maintaining a supplier matrix with scorecards based on performance, capabilities, and COO
Negotiate costs, terms, and lead-times with mills/suppliers; counter-source nominated materials as needed
Partner with Sustainability on Tier 2+ supply chain initiatives, certifications, and traceability requirements
Collect, validate, and log LDS/FDS, spec sheets, cost sheets, and compliance data in shared systems: PIM, PLM (Centric), Sustainability Management Software (Elm/Quickbase)
Align and standardize materials from development through production; build and maintain category-specific material libraries
Support Sourcing with positioning, bulk approvals, and usage reconciliation across production
Resolve issues in the materials lifecycle, ensuring compliance with brand standards, regulatory testing, and sustainability protocols
Monitor industry and regulatory developments in materials and chemical standards; update processes and roll out to suppliers
Track and document key material order benchmarks on shared trackers; highlight at-risk deliveries against the Development Calendar
Manage domestic/import deadstock sourcing, maintaining a preferred supplier network and portal
Troubleshoot material and component production issues in partnership with QA, Sourcing, and vendors
Support strategic or special projects in materials innovation and development across all categories

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Fabric R&DSupplier ManagementVendor NegotiationTrade ShowsSustainability CertificationsSupply Chain TraceabilityPLMCentricPIMQuickbase

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the work location and schedule for this role?

The position is hybrid out of Vernon HQ.

What experience is required for the Materials Manager role?

Candidates need 5+ years of experience in materials sourcing, R&D, or management.

What is the salary range for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the company culture like at Reformation?

Reformation is a mission-based company that invests in an inclusive culture to innovate together and ensure everyone has space to grow, thrive, and belong.

What makes a strong candidate for this Materials Manager position?

A strong candidate will have 5+ years in materials sourcing, R&D, or management, with skills in vendor management, sustainability initiatives, and supply chain processes.

Reformation

Sustainable fashion brand offering eco-friendly clothing

About Reformation

Reformation focuses on sustainable fashion by offering eco-friendly clothing options in a market known for its environmental impact. The company provides a range of stylish clothing items, including jeans, dresses, and wedding attire, while also releasing seasonal collections to align with current fashion trends. Reformation sells its products directly to consumers through its website and physical retail stores, ensuring a seamless shopping experience without extra charges at checkout. This direct-to-consumer model allows Reformation to maintain control over its brand and pricing, making its products more accessible. The company promotes sustainability through initiatives like encouraging customers to recycle their clothing in exchange for store credit, fostering customer loyalty. Reformation's goal is to clean up the fashion industry by making sustainable choices fashionable and available to eco-conscious consumers.

Vernon, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2009Year Founded

$36MTotal Funding

SERIES_BCompany Stage

Consumer GoodsIndustries

1,001-5,000Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Risks

Increased competition in sustainable fashion could dilute Reformation's market share.

Rapid store expansion may strain resources and lead to operational inefficiencies.

Automation partnership with Element Logic could face implementation challenges.

Differentiation

Reformation uses sustainable fabrics and vintage garments to reduce environmental impact.

The company operates a direct-to-consumer model, cutting out middlemen to control costs.

Reformation's quick design-to-market process allows it to release trendy collections swiftly.

Upsides

Growing consumer interest in sustainable fashion boosts Reformation's market potential.

Partnerships with tech companies enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.

Reformation's collaborations with brands like Veja expand its product offerings.

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