Director, Materials

Director, Materials

San Francisco, CA  

At Rothy’s, we know there’s a better way to do business, and it starts by putting the planet and its people first. More than 200 million single-use plastic bottles and 715,000 pounds of ocean-bound marine plastic have been transformed into our signature thread, creating wardrobe staples that look just as good as they feel. 

Striving for zero waste, we combine 3D knitting technology and handcrafted assembly to create machine washable styles that don’t compromise on comfort. From classic shoes to carry-everywhere bags, we create essentials for wherever you go.

At Rothy’s, building a sustainable future is at the heart of everything we do. We pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive environment at our HQ, retail stores and wholly-owned factory, and are growing our community every day.

About the Team:  

Our Production team is always one step ahead. While many teams are responsible for responding to moments in the present, this one looks toward the future. From finessing the production of our silhouettes to developing new materials, our production gurus work hand-in-hand with our factory team, sustainability, merchandising and design partners to make sure the wheels of Rothy’s keep turning on our quest for a more sustainable future. 

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Director, Materials to lead our efforts in shaping the future of materials, yarns, components, and hardware, with a focus on sustainability and innovation. This role will involve crafting forward-thinking material strategies and establishing strong partnerships with global suppliers. You will be responsible for researching, analyzing, and benchmarking cutting-edge industry initiatives, translating these insights into actionable projects to ensure we stay ahead of the curve. This role will also manage and mentor the materials team, fostering growth, development, and a high-performance culture.

As a technical expert, you will oversee material and vendor development, from product concept through to manufacturing; while optimizing existing supplier relationships and material usage. This position requires a combination of creative problem-solving, technical expertise, and the ability to collaborate across multiple teams to drive success.

What You’ll Do 

• Research & Analyze Footwear and Accessory Materials: Assess the current state of materials and the supply chain, identifying opportunities for material consolidation to drive efficiency and reduce complexity across textiles hardware and ideally bottom componentry too. Identify material options that support a circular economy.

• Lead Material Innovation: Drive the creation of new, alternative materials to meet strategic needs, collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to develop and implement innovative solutions.

• Scale New Materials: Influence and guide the scaling of new materials. Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers to diversify sourcing options and enhance the material supply network, ensuring successful integration from development to production.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Develop and utilize tools to present data that supports strategic decisions regarding new materials, material consolidation, and supply chain improvements.

• Vendor & Supply Chain Strategy: Leverage expertise and build strong partnerships  in material composition, production processes, and supply chains to evaluate vendor capabilities, quality, cost, sustainability, innovation, and delivery to ensure a robust supply chain.

• Serve as Material Expert: Act as the go-to materials consultant for product teams across San Francisco and the Factory, ensuring seamless material integration and timely execution across production processes

• Cost Reduction & Optimization: Develop strategies to streamline material processes, minimize waste, and drive efficiencies, analyzing spending patterns  to identify opportunities for cost savings.

• Material Data & Quality Oversight: Manage material data, traceability, quality assurance, and certification processes, ensuring consistency and compliance across all materials.

• Own and Manage the material development calendar inclusive of testing timelines and process to support the product development calendar

• Support Product Development: Oversee the material development calendar and process to ensure alignment with the overall product development timeline.

• Industry Leadership: Represent Rothy’s in relevant industry coalitions, staying informed of trends and best practices to drive material innovation.

• Represent Rothy’s in any industry coalitions

• Lead, manage and