About the Role
Together with the HQ Materials Leader, you’ll design and implement a materials strategy focused on standardization, best practices, and innovation to ensure Ariat uses the best possible materials. With a continuous improvement mindset, you’ll lead a team that collaborates across development, supply chain, costing, production engineering, and quality to drive excellence in materials performance, sustainability, and innovation.
You'll Make a Difference By
Developing effective strategies, priorities, and plans, and overseeing the realization of the sourcing strategy.
Leading the team while working closely with development, supply chain, costing, PE, and quality, and providing solutions for all aspects of materials quality concerns.
Collaborating and influencing to build supplier capability to fulfill company sustainability-related targets, leading these activities through effective communication.
Setting up and optimizing the standardization process for all aspects of material performance and testing.
Leading the search for new material technologies, raw materials, chemical agents, and manufacturing processes that enable Ariat to bring innovative and exclusive products to customers.
Visiting tanneries regularly to review and approve production lots before delivery to the factory.
Creating and completing checklists for accurate reporting of production materials, such as look, touch, feel, substance, pull-up, etc.
Establishing color, texture, and grain tolerance windows as appropriate, and coordinating distribution to internal teams and vendors promptly for all new materials going into production.
Attending seasonal meetings for introduction to production materials (LC/SS handover).
Reviewing SS materials and finished products to understand and evaluate any concerns before production.
Creating Power Point presentations to inform HQ materials and quality teams of any deviation in production materials.
Building strong cross-functional relationships with AM/HQ quality and AM/HQ materials teams.
Meeting regularly with core suppliers (tanneries and chemical companies) to learn about new technologies in tanning, retanning, finishing, and in leather and other footwear materials.
Managing the Material Development Manager’s activities to ensure the best outcome at every step of the development stages.
Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.
About You
~ College degree or above, preferably in materials or a related field.
~10+ years of experience in the leather industry with a strong materials sourcing background.
~5+ years of team management experience.
~ Strong command of English, both written and verbal.
~ Good understanding of supply chain mechanics from sourcing to customer.
~ Strategic thinking and results orientation, with process-driven and effective communication and negotiation skills.
~ Team-oriented and creative thinker with strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
~ Ability to manage multiple projects and workflows simultaneously.
~ Excellent communication skills and ability to build and support cross-functional partnerships.
~ Experience working directly with outside vendors to complete tasks.
~ Experience in approving materials, color, and article developments.
~ Proficiency in PLM, Excel, and Power Point.
~ Strong project management and organizational skills.
About Ariat
Ariat is an innovative, outdoor global brand with roots in equestrian performance. We develop high-quality footwear and apparel for people who ride, work, and play outdoors, and care about performance, quality, comfort, and style.
This contract position may be eligible for select benefits through the payrolling agency. Benefits may include medical, dental, and vision insurance options and 401k.
Ariat will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws. Ariat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics or any other basis protected under federal, state, or local law. Ariat is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to candidates with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the application process, email
[email protected].
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