Head of Materials Development

 

Lead the future of materials at Gymshark.
As our Head of Materials Development, you’ll own the journey from concept to bulk production — ensuring every material we use meets our standards for performance, quality, durability, innovation, and sustainability. You’ll guide and inspire a talented team of materials development managers, working closely with design, sourcing, colour, quality, and product development to deliver materials that are functionally ready, commercially viable, and world-class. Your work will be at the heart of product excellence and customer satisfaction.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

• Lead and manage the Materials Development team, overseeing the development of all textile, non-textile materials from concept through to bulk production including washed garments.
• Ensure all materials meet Gymshark’s standards for quality, durability, performance (including wash garment and colour fastness, aesthetics, and compliance across all product categories.
• Drive on-time material development, ensuring alignment with seasonal calendars, product development milestones, and bulk production timelines.
• Collaborate closely with product development, design, and sourcing teams to align material specifications with garment functionality and innovation needs.
• Oversee testing and validation protocols guaranteeing materials are performing and production ready. Manage the relationship with 3rd party laboratories.
• Manage the industrialization process, from base development and prototyping through to final bulk approval, working closely with mills and manufacturing partners.
• Establish and maintain technical documentation, including material specifications, test results, and performance benchmarks.
• Monitor industry trends, innovations, and sustainability opportunities in materials science, and translate them into competitive advantages.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement as well as evaluating their performance.
• Champion sustainability and circularity, integrating responsible material sourcing and
• lifecycle thinking into development processes.
• Support the sourcing strategy and regionalisation through developing locally sourced materials.
• Act as the technical referent for materials.

Accountable for:

• Materials to be developed as per season retro-plannings.
• Publish regularly the KPI relating to materials suppliers. ·
• Review and publish the material performance standard manual yearly. 
• Developing and fostering a high performing team.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

Essential Criteria:

• Proven success in leading teams
• Advanced technical knowledge in fibre, yarn, fabric, knitting, weaving dyeing and finishing.
• Knowledge of lab testing, global and commercial fabric testing criteria.
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to influence stakeholders
• Experience working with global markets
• Experience analysing supplier performance and able to make suggestions on improvements.
• Strong knowledge of sustainable methods and practices within material production settings as well as within the product design/development stages.
• Knowledge of garment construction is highly desirable.
• Ability to anticipate problems, offer solutions, and address issues with materials.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Proficient at presenting to numerous different stakeholders in an engaging and informative way.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite and data management systems such as PLM.
• Ability to travel

WHAT YOU COULD ALSO HAVE:

• Experience in digital retail businesses
• Understanding of active/sport/fitness/fashion markets on a macro level

This is a hybrid role and would require the successful candidate to attend at least THREE days a week in GSIQ, Solihull, UK.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR THIS ROLE IS: FRIDAY 22ND AUGUST