Material Manager - Leather Footwear, Handbags, and Accessories - J Crew : Job Details

Our Story

We make modern classics with character. We believe in true timelessness, the integrity of well-made clothes, and since our inception, great quality at a great price. That's in our DNA.

But, we know it's not only about the clothes-it's about the feeling it gives the people who wear them, whether they're confidently giving a presentation in a well-tailored suit; basking in long salty beach days in vibrant, colorful sun-soaked swimsuits, or joyfully re-discovering their favorite Rollneck sweater in their closet again and again, season after season.

And ultimately, it's about helping our customers be the best, most authentic versions of themselves.

And that's what we're after, to inspire people's lives and style.

Our dedication to Diversity, Equity, Belonging & Sustainability has been celebrated with industry recognition, reflecting our commitment to fostering an inclusive and sustainable workplace.

The Role + Purpose:

The Non-Apparel Material Manager (Leather) is responsible for overseeing the sourcing and development of leather materials from concept to bulk production for J.Crew and J.Crew Factory brands. This role plays a pivotal part in ensuring the quality, innovation, and sustainability of materials while managing supplier relationships and product timelines. The ideal candidate will have a deep passion for leather, a strong background in leather sourcing, and a commitment to maintaining high standards of quality and cost-effectiveness.

* Lead the sourcing of leather materials, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and adherence to sustainability standards. Build and maintain strategic relationships with suppliers, ensuring transparency and traceability in all partnerships.

* Collaborate closely with design and product development teams to innovate and develop leather materials that align with brand aesthetics and trends. Drive the creation of new concepts, ensuring alignment with seasonal design goals.

* Oversee the full material lifecycle, from concept through production, ensuring that all testing, sustainability, and traceability requirements are met. Ensure that all leather development milestones align with the corporate calendar.

* Negotiate contracts, pricing, and delivery schedules with suppliers. Work on cost engineering initiatives to achieve cost-saving opportunities while maintaining or enhancing aesthetic results.

* Maintain the seasonal leather library, keeping it up-to-date with the latest materials, trends, and concepts. Ensure all leather materials are accurately documented in the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system.

* Partner with internal and overseas teams on the technical aspects of materials, ensuring seamless hand-offs from development to production. Troubleshoot issues with cross-functional teams and tanneries as needed.

Qualifications:

Required:

* 4-7 years of experience in leather sourcing and development, preferably with a large U.S. or EU brand.

* Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Fashion Design, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.

* Expertise in leather finishes, tanning techniques, and testing protocols.

* Strong relationship management skills with tannery partners.

* Proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and PLM systems.

* Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and navigate complex sourcing processes.

Preferred:

* Experience with footwear or accessories development.

* Knowledge of sustainability practices in leather sourcing.

* Cost negotiation experience with an ability to drive cost-saving initiatives.

Skills & Abilities:

* Strong communication skills, with the ability to build alignment across departments and with suppliers.

* Detail-oriented and able to manage multiple tasks and timelines efficiently.

* Analytical thinker with problem-solving capabilities and a results-driven mindset.

* Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt to a fast-paced environment.

#LI-Hybrid #LI-ED1

We welcome you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes. Our passion is scouting life-long learners who are driven by curiosity, and who feel connected to our brands and share our desire to make an impact. We're always seeking bright new talent who leverage their unique experiences to discover, grow and evolve with our teams.

Benefits + Perks

* Health & Well-being - Eligible associates and family members receive medical, dental, prescription and vision insurance, family planning (fertility, adoption & surrogacy support), fitness discounts, medical travel and more.

* Associate Discount - We love our products just as much as you do! That's why we offer a great associate discount across all of our brands (J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell).

* Flex Fridays - In addition to our hybrid work model, we also close our office at 1:00 PM every Friday year-round.

* Community Impact - We support the communities where we live and work through our philanthropic efforts and the J.Crew Cares Program.

* Winter Break - In addition to our PTO package, J.Crew Group offers a winter break at the end of December to eligible full-time associates at the Home Office to provide time to refresh and recharge.

Note: Availability of these benefits and perks may be subject to work location & employment type and may have certain eligibility requirements.

Salary Range: $120,800.00 - $151,000.00

At J.Crew Group (JCG) we aim to pay competitively for our company's size and industry. The base salary offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region of work premises, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. The base salary is just one component of J.Crew Group's competitive total rewards strategy that also includes the opportunity for bonus, competitive benefits and perks.

One of our core focuses here at JCG is creating a community and culture that builds belonging. We are deeply committed to our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, and we warmly welcome job applicants of all backgrounds.

JCG is proud to affirmatively provide equal opportunity to all associates and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or citizenship, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, legally protected physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other basis protected under applicable law.