At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead material innovation for high-performance activewear and collaborate with global teams.
- Company: Join a global family business behind iconic active and lifestyle brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on sustainability and cutting-edge materials.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of sustainable and innovative apparel.
- Qualifications: Experience in material development and a strong understanding of textile technology.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
Create has partnered with a global family business behind some of the world’s most recognised active and lifestyle brands. They are looking for a passionate and commercially minded Senior Material Technologist to help shape the future of technical apparel across our outdoor and cycling categories. This is a highly influential specialist role where you’ll lead material innovation and development across performance product categories — working on everything from waterproof technologies and lightweight fabrics to next-generation sustainable materials.
You’ll partner closely with Design, Product Development, Sourcing and Supply Chain teams, as well as global mills and suppliers, to bring innovative, high-performance materials from concept through to production. If you thrive on solving technical challenges, spotting emerging material opportunities and influencing product creation at brand level, this is an exciting opportunity to make a visible impact within a global product organisation.
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead material innovation
- Drive the seasonal and long-term material strategy across apparel categories
- Identify and develop innovative fabrics, trims and material solutions that elevate product performance and consumer experience
- Build and evolve material palettes across key categories including waterproof, insulated, lightweight and stretch apparel
- Explore new technologies, constructions and finishes that improve comfort, durability, breathability and thermal performance
- Stay connected to market, consumer and industry trends to bring fresh thinking into the product creation process
- Build world-class supplier partnerships
- Develop strong relationships with global mills, suppliers and innovation partners
- Collaborate closely with sourcing and manufacturing teams across Asia and wider supply regions
- Translate creative and technical briefs into commercially viable material solutions
- Support supplier negotiations around capability, lead times, costing and MOQ management
- Ensure technical excellence
- Analyse and interpret lab testing and performance data to guide material decisions
- Oversee wear testing, wash testing, durability and compliance requirements
- Ensure all materials meet the performance expectations of performance apparel consumers
- Resolve material quality issues in partnership with Product Development and Quality teams
- Drive commercial and sustainable outcomes
- Balance innovation with margin, speed-to-market and commercial objectives
- Champion responsible material choices aligned to company sustainability goals
- Increase the use of recycled, certified and lower-impact materials where commercially appropriate
- Support improvements in supplier traceability and environmental performance
What you’ll bring:
- Significant experience in material development, textile technology, fabric sourcing or material innovation within outdoor, cycling, sportswear or technical apparel
- Strong technical understanding of knit, woven, laminated and engineered fabrics
- Knowledge of fibres, yarns, membranes, coatings, finishes and performance treatments
- Experience working with global mills and supply chain partners, particularly across Asia
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance innovation with cost, margin and lead time considerations
- Confidence interpreting fabric testing standards and performance data
- Understanding of sustainability standards including bluesign®, OEKO-TEX®, GRS or equivalent
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- A proactive, curious and solutions-focused mindset
- A degree in Textile Technology, Textile Engineering, Materials Science or a related discipline would be advantageous.
Hours: 36.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday (4:30pm finish on Fridays)
Senior Material Technologist- Active wear employer: Create Recruitment Specialists Ltd
Join a global family business renowned for its iconic active and lifestyle brands, where your role as a Senior Material Technologist will be pivotal in driving material innovation and sustainability within the outdoor and cycling categories. With a collaborative work culture that values creativity and technical excellence, you'll have access to world-class supplier partnerships and opportunities for professional growth, all while contributing to meaningful advancements in performance apparel. Enjoy a balanced work schedule with a 4:30pm finish on Fridays, fostering a supportive environment that champions both personal and professional development.
Contact Detail:
Create Recruitment Specialists Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Material Technologist- Active wear
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. We want you to be able to discuss how your skills in material innovation can elevate their active wear. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in areas like sustainable materials and performance fabrics. We believe confidence is key to making a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing passionate candidates who are eager to join our mission in shaping the future of technical apparel.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Material Technologist- Active wear
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let us see your enthusiasm for material innovation and technical apparel! Share specific examples of projects or experiences that highlight your love for fabrics and performance products. This will help us understand why you're the perfect fit for this role.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight relevant experience in material development, textile technology, and any collaborations with global mills. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain how your skills and experiences make you the ideal candidate for the Senior Material Technologist role. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of sustainability standards and how they relate to our goals.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Create Recruitment Specialists Ltd
✨Know Your Fabrics
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of different fabrics, especially those relevant to active wear. Be ready to discuss innovations in waterproof technologies and sustainable materials, as this role heavily focuses on material development.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled technical challenges in the past. This could involve discussing specific projects where you identified material opportunities or resolved quality issues, demonstrating your proactive and solutions-focused mindset.
✨Understand the Market Trends
Stay updated on current trends in the outdoor and cycling apparel markets. Being able to talk about emerging material technologies and consumer preferences will show that you're not just technically savvy but also commercially minded.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your experience in collaborating with suppliers and cross-functional teams. Discuss how you've built strong partnerships in the past, as this role requires close collaboration with global mills and sourcing teams.
