Overview
Company Description
SPANX isn’t your average company. We revolutionized an industry by challenging the status quo and putting the customer first. You might know the story: our founder, Sara Blakely, who needed the right thing as a base layer to feel 100% in white pants, so she cut the legs off a pair of tights and Spanx was born. The spark of that origin is the fuel for our future. We grew up in shapewear. But we’ve graduated. For 25 years (yep, we're old enough to rent a car now), we've been experimenting, innovating, and occasionally banging our heads against the drawing board. And we will never stop obsessing about what women who are out there doing their thing deserve. Because we are those women. And we’re honored to create on behalf of us all.
We make elevated essentials with confidence built in. Essentials for layering underneath or wearing out loud, for “just-between-us” and “where'd you get that?” For everything you've got planned (and don't). Because what you put on can change how you show up. And if its' not working for you, it's got no place in your closet. Or on your body. Creating items that’ll make you feel great is a matter of the heart—and the lab. In every Spanx product is technology we design and build to highlight, complement, and form your look, just the way you like it. SPANX design and technology help make sure what you see in the mirror reflects that feeling of feeling your best (you know the feeling?). We are a high-growth, innovative and ambitious company and we are embarking on an exciting trajectory of both digital and international expansion.
About The Role
The Senior Manager, Materials R&D Apparel is responsible for researching and developing materials that are in line with the Spanx’s corporate objective to delivery Essentials with Confidence Built in as well in line with the Spanx Global sourcing strategy. Her/his role encompass to work with best in class Global suppliers who are highly embedded in functional materials to develop relevant re-iterations of the materials that are suitable for the “Apparel” world. The candidate is responsible for the full development and commercialization of the materials, to ultimate create an industrial scalable standard. To be added to the company material “ Pantry”.
This role is based in our NY Office (with seasonal multi-days trip to the Atlanta HQ office), requires weekly in office work Tuesday-Thursday, and reports into the Vice President, Global Materials, Trims & Color.
Job Description
You’ll love it because you will…
Be the co-creator of the “ Materials` First” strategy as we build and grow the Apparel division at Spanx. You will be able to put in place all your experience to research but mostly to develop materials with global suppliers that will enable Design to create garments with the “Spanx-Effect” that fully embody the Spanx’s mantra of “Essentials with Confidence-Built in."
Qualifications
We require…
- 7+ years of relevant Global Material R&D In knits & Wovens) in functional materials & _experience on how fabrics render on garment application
- Expertise and Technology: Applies functional and technical expertise to accomplish work; adopts, develops and generates new functionality within technical materials.
- Knowledge of global suppliers in the technical fabrics arena, with specific focus on knitted fabrics, although knowledge of woven fabrics is also required.
- Ability to connect materials to the final products to create a highly collaborative synergy between design creative vision, merchandising plan and production quality and margin delivery expectations.
- Creativity & Innovation: Embraces new ideas; seeks out diverse perspectives; reassesses, experiments, and brainstorms to generate ideas and insights; thinks in new and different ways to create innovative approaches and solutions
- Influence: Establishes credibility and uses compelling insights to appeal to others’ needs and persuade them to a different point of view
- Communication: Speaks clearly and understandably; presents with confidence; gauges audience reaction, interest, and understanding, and adjusts communication style or content accordingly.
- Relationship Building: Establishes positive relationships internally and externally, interacts with individuals at all levels, and cultivates impactful networks.
Additional Information
Spanx is proud of our continued Progressive People Practices…
- Company Healthcare Plan: $0.00 out of pocket (Employee only benefit) Fertility testing and treatment are included in Spanx’s medical plans, even without the diagnosis of infertility.
- Parental Leave Policy: Primary caregiver receives 16 weeks AND will have the option to work a half-time schedule (20 hours per week) for up to four additional weeks with full-time (40 hours per week) pay.
- Mental Health Days: 10 days
- 401K: Matched up to 4% with immediate vesting.
- PTO & Company Holidays: PLUS two full weeks of companywide closures (one in the Spring; one between Christmas and NYE)
- Flex Friday: Year-round half day Fridays!