Head of Fabric R&D
Gap

Job Info

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About Gap

Gap has always been about optimistic American style. Starting with our very first store on Ocean Avenue in San Francisco, opened almost 50 years ago by Doris and Don Fisher. The thread that’s run through those five decades is the phenomenal people that make up our brand – our employees and our customers. People who are rooted in the legacy that makes Gap what it is, but who are also focused on the future. People who want to leave the world better than they found it.

We’ve built our brand on staying true to our roots while always being out in front of what’s next. If you want to be part of an iconic American brand, and help lead the way for where we’re headed, we’d love to have you join us.

About the role

The Head of Fabric R&D is part of the Global Production team & will lead the Fabric R&D team that is responsible for driving newness and innovation, performance fabrications and development.

The candidate must possess strong and inspirational leadership skills with a proven track record of innovation. This skill will be demonstrated in building and driving strategies to support brand sourcing and innovation goals.

The successful Individual will bring new ideas to the design table each season while also conducting season-less research to develop ongoing core fabrics, sustainable fibers and dying techniques for improved quality, responsiveness and cost.

The role requires close partnership with Sourcing, Design and Production partners to develop design requests with appropriate suppliers and offer creative aesthetic and cost solutions within brand strategy.

What you'll do

• Lead the Fabric R&D teams to translate the brand aesthetic into clear, executable direction for GIS /vendors/ suppliers

• Maintain a consistent alignment with Design for all divisions on overall concepts as it ties to the brand strategy

• Source seasonal design requests with appropriate GIS partners and vendors to offer creative solutions if the request is outside the brands sourcing and pricing strategy

• Utilize technical expertise to realistically translate the design intent on fabric and yarn requests to meet raw material cost parameters and guidelines

• Analyze fabric needs across the brand and make recommendations to Production and Design for leveraging qualities across divisions

• Communicate and elevate potential Quality and AUC issues to leadership with recommended solves in season

• Manage product integrity by reviewing testing exception reports. Trouble shoots to solve and recommend options and Create, and own the R&D calendar to ensure all development dates are adhered to and that follow through is achieved

Who you are

• Excellent technical knowledge of yarn knits and performance fabrications

• Strong analytical and communication skills

• Ability to negotiate and build consensus across multiple functions

• Proven ability to work closely and partner effectively with Designers and Production partners

• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to regularly interface with and influence senior management

• Ability to travel throughout U.S. and internationally as needed

Benefits at Gap

• Merchandise discount for our brands: 50% off regular-priced merchandise at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, and 30% off at Outlet for all employees.
• One of the most competitive Paid Time Off plans in the industry.*
• Employees can take up to five “on the clock” hours each month to volunteer at a charity of their choice.*
• Extensive 401(k) plan with company matching for contributions up to four percent of an employee’s base pay.*
• Employee stock purchase plan.*
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance.*
• See more of the benefits we offer.

*For eligible employees

Gap Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status. We have received numerous awards for our long-held commitment to equality and will continue to foster a diverse and inclusive environment of belonging. This year, we've been named as one of the Best Places to Work by the Humans Rights Campaign for the fourteenth consecutive year and have been included in the 2019 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the second year in a row.

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