Material Specialist

The Material Specialist is responsible for ensuring that materials used in product development and production meet the highest standards of sourcing, color consistency, and quality, while being available in a timely manner. This role plays a critical part in maintaining a robust and responsive supply chain by collaborating closely with internal teams and external partners on the following areas:
Color: ensures the consistency of fabric color used in product development and production. This role involves close collaboration with internal teams and external partners to evaluate fabric color, support fabric sourcing and development, and uphold color quality standards across the supply chain
Quality: ensures the quality and consistency of fabrics used in product development and production. This role involves close collaboration with internal teams and external partners to evaluate fabric performance, support sourcing and development, and uphold quality standards across the supply chain
Sourcing: responsible for identifying, developing, and managing material suppliers to meet customer and production requirements. This role ensures timely sourcing, cost efficiency, and quality compliance while supporting sustainable and innovative sourcing practices. The specialist collaborates closely with internal teams and external vendors to maintain a robust and responsive supply chain.
How will you make a difference?
Communication & Collaboration
Communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, mills, internal teams, merchandising, quality control, and fabric teams regarding product quality issues and updates.
Participate in risk assessment meetings and product reviews with cross-functional teams.
Initiative and follow up on ad-hoc tasks and updates assigned by the supervisor
Cross-functional collaboration is essential for problem-solving and process alignment.
Color Approval
Give color approval for fabric lab-dip from mill & garment vendor and meet expectation from customers.
Minimize color deviation among mill and garment vendors.
Monitor lab-dip approval status and follow up with mill and vendor.
Create and refresh color approval process and SOP.
Color management with vendor and fabric mill
Give training and education to vendors and mill regarding color requirement, light sources and seasonal color focus from customers.
Support and guide vendor and fabric mill to create proper color management under proper condition and shade management in bulk.
Give technical support to mill and vendor to secure and achieve the bulk color if there is any need.
Trouble shoot and support.
Fabric Quality Assurance
Conduct fabric quality & FTD checks and determine readiness for next steps.
Advise vendors with improvement suggestions when fabric quality does not meet standards.
Arrange package testing as per customer requirements and share results with the customer's fabric management team.
Upload test reports to the designated Team channel for documentation and tracking.
If the test report fails, advise the mill & vendor with suggestions for further improvement.
Claim handling and settlement coordination with technical justification in collaboration with sourcing team, vendor and other relevant stakeholders.
Conduct random fabric inspection (based on demand of vendors & mills quality management).
Mill Management
Perform comprehensive assessments of fabric/yarn mills covering: Yarn warehouse, Testing lab, Machineries, Knitting/Weaving and finishing processes, Fabric inspection, packaging, and storage, R&D capabilities, Pretreatment, Dyeing, Printing and finishing operations, Quality control systems, Waste and chemical management, Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) - CSR.
Follow up on mill improvements and ensure compliance with quality and sustainability standards.
Provide necessary Trainings to mill/vendor to ensure supplier's knowhow and knowledge.
Maintenance mills/vendors (physical & chemical) testing performance excellence per customer requests.
Supplier Development & Management
Source and develop material suppliers (local and overseas) based on customer specifications and business needs.
Evaluate & Manage supplier capacity booking, planning, capabilities, performance, and compliance with business seasonal & long-term strategy.
Maintain and update vendor databases and sourcing records.
Initiative and follow up on ad-hoc tasks and updates assigned by the supervisor.
Negotiation & Procurement
Negotiate pricing, lead times, minimum order quantities, and quality terms with material mills and suppliers.
Ensure timely delivery of material aligned with production schedules and critical path timelines.
Cross-functional Collaboration
Maintain strong communication with customers, design, merchandising, production, and material technical teams.
Provide material sourcing updates and risk assessments to relevant stakeholders with close collaborations with quality team.
Documentation & Compliance
Keep reference of approval and manage approval history for future record and provide support to commercial team.
Calibrate vendor and mill on equipment and capability.
Ensure all requirements match with customer specifications with proper documentation.
Manage sourcing documentation, contract, and ensure adherence to company policies and ethical sourcing standards.
Support traceability initiatives and ensure compliance with sustainability goals.
Market Intelligence & Innovation
Monitor market trends, fabric innovations, and pricing fluctuations.
Promote sustainable sourcing practices and explore eco-friendly alternatives.