Material Specialist (Fabric)

A leading global recruitment partner is seeking a Material Specialist – Fabric on behalf of a renowned international brand, based in Ho Chi Minh City.

This pivotal position offers you the opportunity to shape and execute end-to-end raw materials strategies, ensuring that material localisation aligns with broader sourcing objectives. You will be at the heart of supplier capability building, capacity planning, and delivery performance, all while optimising costs and mitigating risks. The role is highly collaborative, requiring you to work closely with Planning, Product Development, Design, Technical, Quality, and Costing teams to guarantee timely access to high-quality materials that support ambitious commercial goals. With up to 35% travel for supplier visits and regional collaboration, this position promises variety and exposure to the latest trends in textiles. If you are passionate about textiles and thrive in an environment where your expertise directly impacts product success and brand growth, this is your chance to make a significant contribution.

• Play a key role in shaping material strategy for a globally recognised brand by driving localisation programmes and expanding qualified local and regional sources.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure on-time, right-cost, right-quality material availability that supports both creative vision and commercial targets.
• Enjoy flexible working opportunities within an office-based role in Ho Chi Minh City, with regular travel for supplier engagement and professional development.

What you'll do:

As a Material Specialist – Fabric, you will be entrusted with overseeing the full lifecycle of raw materials management—from strategic sourcing through supplier negotiation to final delivery. Your day-to-day activities will involve close collaboration with internal teams such as Planning, Product Development, Design, Technical, Quality Assurance, and Costing to ensure that every aspect of material selection meets both creative aspirations and commercial imperatives. You will regularly engage with Tier-2 suppliers—conducting capability assessments, negotiating capacity agreements, resolving claims efficiently, and implementing corrective actions when necessary. By maintaining robust data governance within PLM systems and managing physical swatch libraries meticulously, you will enable informed decision-making across multiple seasons. Your ability to collect market intelligence on cost trends will empower stakeholders to make sound margin decisions. For those who enjoy variety in their workday—including travel for supplier visits—this role offers an exciting blend of office-based analysis and hands-on fieldwork. Success in this position hinges on your ability to balance technical textile knowledge with strong interpersonal skills as you nurture relationships both internally and externally.

• Develop and implement comprehensive material sourcing strategies that align with overall business objectives while balancing risk, cost, and service.
• Provide expert recommendations on materials based on brand focus, performance requirements, cost considerations, and availability; organise annual mill fairs or supplier showcases to highlight the latest trends.
• Drive material localisation initiatives by identifying and qualifying new local or regional suppliers to enhance supply chain resilience.
• Oversee the entire fabric and trim development process from sampling through bulk execution, ensuring feasibility assessments are conducted in partnership with Merchandising and Design teams.
• Manage physical fabric swatch libraries and maintain accurate records within PLM systems to support seamless material tracking across seasons.
• Lead seasonal capacity negotiations with Tier-2 suppliers, validating delivery commitments and escalating any gaps as needed.
• Conduct thorough sourcing and capability assessments of suppliers while stewarding improvement roadmaps focused on quality, compliance, lead time, minimum order quantity flexibility, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor work-in-progress (WIP) status and on-time delivery metrics; drive alignment of seasonal standard delivery lead times with suppliers through proactive planning.
• Collect and report global material cost trends; generate seasonal forecast consumption reports for review by brand stakeholders to inform margin decisions.
• If assigned a team, set clear objectives for direct reports while fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and ongoing professional growth.

What you bring:

Your extensive background in textiles equips you with the technical acumen required for this Material Specialist – Fabric role. You bring not only hands-on experience managing diverse fabric types but also a nuanced understanding of how quality requirements intersect with production realities. Your familiarity with PLM systems ensures seamless data governance while your analytical prowess allows you to interpret market trends for strategic advantage. In addition to technical qualifications—including a relevant bachelor’s degree—you have honed your negotiation skills through years of direct engagement with mills or trim suppliers. Your ability to communicate clearly across functions means you can bridge gaps between creative teams and operational stakeholders alike. Experience leading projects or small teams further demonstrates your commitment to nurturing talent within an inclusive environment. Above all else, your passion for continuous improvement drives you to seek out efficiencies without compromising on quality or compliance.

• Demonstrated expertise in textiles including yarns, performance fabrics, knits, wovens, synthetic blends as well as dyeing/printing/finishing processes; deep understanding of quality standards is essential.
• Proven track record in supplier capacity planning encompassing lead time management, minimum order quantity flexibility strategies, and pre-positioning approaches.
• Advanced proficiency in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems such as Centric; strong Excel skills (pivot tables/xlookup) coupled with effective presentation abilities using PowerPoint.
• Exceptional negotiation skills combined with experience managing vendor relationships among mills and trim suppliers; adept at leading fact-based cost discussions.
• Analytical mindset capable of transforming complex data into actionable insights while juggling multiple seasonal priorities effectively.
• Excellent cross-functional communication skills—both written and verbal—in English; able to build rapport across departments such as Product Development, Design, Planning, Sourcing, Quality Assurance, and Costing.
• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Textile Engineering, Supply Chain Management or related discipline (or equivalent practical experience).
• 8–10 years’ experience in materials management within the apparel sector; at least 3 years overseeing suppliers or leading teams is preferred.
• Documented success driving localisation efforts alongside improvements in capacity/delivery performance and cost optimisation initiatives.
• Strategic thinker who remains results-oriented under pressure; committed to continuous improvement.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out for its unwavering commitment to excellence throughout the supply chain—from innovative product design through responsible sourcing practices. Employees benefit from being part of a supportive network where knowledge sharing is encouraged at every level. The company values flexibility in working arrangements wherever possible within an office-based context—recognising the importance of work-life balance even amidst global operations. Regular opportunities for travel provide exposure not only to cutting-edge textile technologies but also foster meaningful connections with regional partners. Professional development is prioritised through ongoing training opportunities designed to keep employees at the forefront of industry best practices. By joining this team in Ho Chi Minh City you become part of a community dedicated not just to commercial success but also ethical stewardship within the apparel sector—a place where your contributions are valued as part of something larger than yourself.

What's next:

If you are ready to take your career in textiles management to new heights within an internationally respected organisation—apply now!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided.

Due to the high volume of applications we are experiencing, our team will only be in touch with you if your application is shortlisted.