Sr. Director, Material & Innovation
Company: Duluth Trading Company
Location: Mount Horeb
Posted on: January 1, 2026
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Job Description:
Position Overview: We are looking for an experienced product and
textile innovator who is passionate about creating products that
our customers love for our Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin HQ location. You
will work directly with design and development teams and
international suppliers to build best-in-class, solution-driven
products for all the Duluth Trading Company brands. You will lead
the product innovation process, driving material validation from
initial textile and trim concepts to final specifications for
adoption into commercialization. You will execute new materials
(trim/fabric) to comply with sourcing and sustainability
strategies, supply chain timelines, quality, price, and
functionality. You will join a dynamic and fast-paced environment
and roll out products that deliver to our company’s vision and
strategy. Position Details: Duluth Trading Company Sr. Director,
Material & Innovation We are looking for an experienced product and
textile innovator who is passionate about creating products that
our customers love for our Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin HQ location. You
will work directly with design and development teams and
international suppliers to build best-in-class, solution-driven
products for all the Duluth Trading Company brands. You will lead
the product innovation process, driving material validation from
initial textile and trim concepts to final specifications for
adoption into commercialization. You will execute new materials
(trim/fabric) to comply with sourcing and sustainability
strategies, supply chain timelines, quality, price, and
functionality. You will join a dynamic and fast-paced environment
and roll out products that deliver to our company’s vision and
strategy. The individual will also: Oversee material and R&D
staff at Duluth Trading Co. international office as well as
Headquarters office in US Build and maintain a forward-looking
innovation strategy that anticipates the needs of our consumers, as
well as changes in trends and new developments in technology.
Leverage extensive industry contacts to identify potential new
suppliers, maximize innovation and speed to market, and negotiate
favorable agreements with material suppliers Support the Product
Design Team in developing the next innovative product our customers
will love while balancing innovation, sustainability, price and the
high-quality standards of Duluth Trading Company. Utilize technical
expertise to inspire R&D and aid in the creation of new
innovative materials, ideas and products. Attend trade shows as
appropriate to gain perspective on textile innovation and trends.
Present quarterly to cross-functional partners on emerging trends
and technologies Work downstream with raw material suppliers on
cost, minimum order quantities, and lead time negotiations to
ensure new developments are viable solutions before adoption.
Identify and cost engineer new textiles to meet design-value
proposition leverage material and product exclusivity by partnering
with legal experts to ensure that we have the proper patent
agreements. Work cross-functionally with supply chain partners to
develop materials in appropriate markets to support and maximize
supply chain flow. Analyze fabric needs across the brand and make
recommendations to Design Team for leveraging qualities across
divisions. Cultivate and maintain strong supplier relationships to
ensure an efficient supply chain to support delivery needs Minimum
Requirements: Qualified individuals must have a Bachelor’s Degree
in Product Development, Marketing, Merchandising, or related field
or its equivalent in education and/or professional experience. The
individual must also have a minimum of 8 years of experience in
merchandising and product development. As part of the eight years
of experience in merchandising and product development, the
individual must have: 8 years of experience in Product development
and Raw material sourcing in Asia 2 years of experience in
overseeing and managing a global organization across US and Asia 5
years of experience with the dyeing, printing and finishing process
for Textile products 6 years of experience with raw material
properties & testing 5 years of experience with the cost structure
for yarn and fabric production across knits, woven and trims and
cost negotiation skills 2 years of experience with the performance
claims, patent and sustainability attributes 2 years of experience
with the Core program replenishment program in forecasting, raw
material platform, annual costing, and lead time planning. Fluent
in Cantonese and Mandarin Domestic and International travel
required – 15% About Duluth Trading Company: Started in 1989,
Duluth Trading Company exists to enable hard-working individuals to
take on life with their own two hands. Folks that revel in doing it
the hard way and celebrate finding a better way. We seek talented
individuals who share these beliefs and are excited to further the
Duluth Trading legacy with a digital-first mindset, always moving
forward and always innovating. From ingenious Duluth workwear, to
comfortably capable Buck Naked Underwear, to outside-embracing
AKHG, it’s all about the innovative gear and gadgets that equip
customers for a more hands-on way of life. Top-notch quality,
immersive storytelling, outstanding customer service, and the
shared belief that the go-all-in-and-dig-deep spirit exists with
everyone are what sets Duluth Trading Co. apart. We seek talented
folks looking to be part of a can-do team that’s hellbent on
helping the world to gear up, get its hands dirty, and do.
Keywords: Duluth Trading Company, Bartlett , Sr. Director, Material & Innovation, PR / Public Relations , Mount Horeb, Illinois
