The Kasper Group is an apparel industry leader, offering women wardrobe solutions for their wear-to-work and special occasion dressing needs. Driven by excellence and exceptional talent, The Kasper Group has remained a forerunner in fashion for over 30 years. We are committed to delivering iconic brands (Kasper, Anne Klein, LeSuit, Kenneth Cole), relevant fashions and trusted, quality products to our consumers. So be a part of the exceptional talent!
Textile Manager Position Overview We are currently seeking an experienced Textile Manager to oversee fabric sourcing, development, purchasing, and production coordination across our women's apparel divisions. This position will work closely with Design, Product Development, Production, Sourcing, and domestic and overseas mills to ensure fabric selections meet design expectations, quality requirements, cost objectives, and production timelines.
The Textile Manager will be responsible for managing fabric development and execution throughout the seasonal lifecycle, including mill sourcing, costing, fabric consumption, purchase placement, approvals, delivery tracking, and resolution of production-related issues. The ideal candidate will have strong technical knowledge of woven and knit fabrications, established mill relationships, an excellent eye for color and quality, and the ability to independently manage multiple seasonal fabric programs.
Key Responsibilities Fabric Sourcing & Development Partner closely with Design and Product Development teams to research, identify, and recommend appropriate fabric suppliers and fabrications for seasonal collections. Source and evaluate fabric options based on design requirements, quality, construction, performance, cost, and production feasibility. Maintain strong relationships with domestic and international fabric mills, suppliers, and manufacturing partners.
Review proposed fabrications for pricing, minimum order quantities, lead times, quality standards, and potential production challenges. Provide guidance to Design and Production teams regarding fabric characteristics, performance, availability, and sourcing alternatives. Coordinate seasonal fabric development, sampling, and approval processes to ensure alignment with critical path calendars. Evaluate fabric construction, weight, composition, hand feel, color, and overall suitability for intended garments.
Research alternative fabrications and suppliers to support cost efficiency, quality improvement, and production needs. Fabric Purchasing & Production Execution Manage fabric purchasing activities, including placement, confirmation, tracking, and follow-up of fabric orders throughout the production cycle. Review and validate fabric costs, consumption requirements, delivery schedules, and production quantities. Accurately calculate fabric yields and consumption for individual styles in coordination with CAD, Costing, and Production teams.
Partner with Production and Sourcing to ensure accurate fabric requirements and timely placement of orders. Monitor fabric production status and shipment schedules to ensure deliveries meet established garment production deadlines. Coordinate with mills and factories to resolve fabric-related issues involving quality, shortages, pricing, delivery, and payment. Identify potential delays or material shortages and develop solutions to minimize disruption to production schedules.
Monitor outstanding fabric commitments, changes, and production requirements across assigned divisions. Work closely with factories to ensure correct fabric specifications and approved materials are utilized in bulk production. Fabric Quality, Testing & Approvals Oversee fabric approval processes, including color, quality, construction, and performance requirements. Review lab dips, strike-offs, handlooms, and other applicable fabric submissions to ensure alignment with approved standards.
Partner with Quality Assurance, Technical Design, and Production teams to address fabric testing and performance requirements. Evaluate fabric characteristics, including shrinkage, colorfastness, dimensional stability, and overall quality, as applicable to the product. Resolve fabric quality discrepancies with mills, factories, and internal departments prior to and during production. Maintain accurate records of approved fabric standards, colors, specifications, and testing documentation.
Ensure fabric quality and performance meet company standards and applicable retailer requirements. Cost Management & Vendor Coordination Negotiate fabric pricing and work with mills to achieve competitive costs while maintaining required quality standards. Partner with Costing, Production, and Design teams to identify fabric alternatives and cost-saving opportunities. Evaluate cost implications related to fabric consumption, widths, minimums, production requirements, and supplier changes.
Monitor mill performance, including quality, pricing, responsiveness, and delivery reliability. Develop and maintain productive vendor relationships to support current and future sourcing requirements. Escalate significant fabric pricing, quality, or delivery concerns and coordinate appropriate solutions. Systems, Reporting & Cross-Functional Collaboration Manage departmental systems and documentation, including seasonal calendars, PLM records, fabric filing, and reporting.
Maintain accurate fabric libraries, approvals, purchase records, specifications, and supplier information. Monitor seasonal development and production deadlines to ensure timely execution of fabric-related requirements. Prepare and maintain fabric tracking reports, status updates, and outstanding issue summaries. Collaborate with Design, Product Development, Production, Sourcing, CAD, Costing, and Technical Design teams throughout the product lifecycle.
Identify opportunities to improve fabric development, purchasing, approval, and tracking processes. Provide timely updates on fabric status, delivery concerns, pricing changes, and production risks. Support cross-functional teams with fabric-related problem-solving and technical guidance.
Job description provided by Premier Brands Management Services.
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