Fabric Research and Development Senior Manager

Overview

Brooks Brothers is a heritage brand recognized for exceptional craftsmanship, refined design, and enduring quality. The Sr. Fabric Manager will lead the sourcing and development of premium fabrics for Brooks Brothers, balancing the brand’s elevated product standards with innovation, responsible sourcing, commercial discipline, and reliable global supply. This role requires strong experience in tailored fabric sourcing and the ability to evaluate luxury-quality materials from concept through production. 

The Sr. Fabric Manager  leads seasonal fabric sourcing and development for Brooks Brothers. The role owns the fabric strategy for tailored and elevated product, including luxury and premium wool, cashmere, fine cotton, linen, silk, and blended qualities as appropriate. This position partners closely with Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Technical Design, Quality, and international sourcing offices to build a differentiated fabric assortment that meets Brooks Brothers standards for hand feel, appearance, performance, construction, and consistency. 

Responsibilities

• Provide seasonal fabric direction and market intelligence for Brooks Brothers, translating design intent, tailoring needs, and luxury material trends into actionable fabric strategies. 
• Source, evaluate, and develop premium and luxury fabrics with mills and suppliers, with particular focus on tailored wovens, fine woolens, cashmere, cotton, linen, silk, and sophisticated blends. 
• Lead seasonal fabric development from initial concept through approval and production; ensure each quality meets Brooks Brothers standards for hand feel, drape, appearance, construction, performance, and consistency. 
• Build and execute a focused mill strategy and fabric mill matrix, identifying the right specialist mills for premium qualities while strengthening capability, exclusivity, service, and supply continuity. 
• Benchmark fabric pricing and negotiate with suppliers to achieve appropriate value without compromising material quality, construction, or brand integrity. 
• Oversee core and carryover fabric platforms, seasonal fabric libraries, and counter-source strategies to protect quality, improve continuity, and manage supply risk. 
• Maintain and govern development charts, master fabric menus, and fabric standards, ensuring clear communication and alignment across Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Technical Design, Quality, and CBSO partners. 
• Establish and uphold elevated quality requirements for premium fabrics, including construction standards, testing protocols, color consistency, performance, finishing, and production approval. 
• Troubleshoot fabric construction, finishing, testing, and quality issues during development; lead root-cause analysis and resolution with mills, suppliers, CBSO Fabric teams, Technical Design, and Product Development. 
• Support fabric-related quality issues in bulk production, ensuring timely investigation, corrective action, and consistent execution against approved Brooks Brothers standards. 
• Own the integrity of fabric data in PLM, including development submissions, fabric specifications, standards, and approvals; ensure data accuracy and cross-functional visibility. 
• Lead and develop team members as applicable, setting priorities, coaching execution, and ensuring on-time seasonal deliverables at the required level of quality and detail. 
• Support sustainability and responsible sourcing initiatives by incorporating preferred fibers, traceable materials, and responsible material solutions aligned with Brooks Brothers and Catalyst Brands strategies. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent relevant experience in textiles, fashion, product development, sourcing, or a related field. 
• 10–15 years of experience in fabric sourcing, fabric resource development, and technical fabric construction, including direct experience sourcing fabrics for tailored, premium, or luxury product. 
• Strong knowledge of premium and luxury fabric construction, including woolens, worsteds, cashmere, fine cottons, linens, silks, blends, finishing, quality standards, and testing methods. 
• Deep understanding of global raw material markets and cost drivers; proven strength in cost benchmarking, supplier negotiations, and value creation while protecting product quality. 
• Established relationships with specialist global mills and suppliers capable of producing high-quality tailored and elevated fabrics. 
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional partners including Design, Product Development, Technical Design, Sourcing, Quality, and CBSO teams. 
• Proven people leadership experience with the ability to manage multiple seasonal workstreams and maintain a high level of detail and follow-through. 
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, analytical, collaborative, and comfortable making quality and sourcing decisions in a fast-paced environment. 
• PLM system knowledge preferred. 
• Working knowledge of global sourcing strategies, trade considerations, sustainability requirements, and responsible material sourcing preferred. 
• Italian language skills preferred, particularly for communication with Italian mills, suppliers, and sourcing partners.

Pay Range

USD $106,920.00 - USD $115,000.00 /Yr.