Apparel Materials Specialist

We are looking for an Apparel Materials Specialist to manage the research of fabrics and trims across leather, woven, and knit categories for the Dainese Apparel collection.This role is responsible for driving material research from concept through bulk production, partnering closely with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, and external suppliers to deliver best-in-class technical performance, aesthetic excellence, quality, cost efficiency, and on-time execution.The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in technical and performance materials with a strong product mindset, hands-on development experience, and a passion for innovation.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:Research and development of fabrics and trims across leather, woven, knit, and technical performance materials Scout and identify new materials, finishes, and components aligned with Dainese product strategy and brand DNA Partner closely with Design and Merchandising to define material direction, fabric selection, and color development Develop new material solutions directly with mills and suppliers, balancing performance, quality, cost, and industrial scalability Evaluate design proposals and proactively recommend alternative materials where needed Manage sample yardage requests in line with development milestones and collection timelines Review and approve all development materials for hand feel, technical performance, quality standards, and color accuracy Identify material-related risks during development and define alternative solutions to support production readiness Support cost optimization through material selection and supplier negotiation while maintaining product integrity Build and nurture strong partnerships with mills, trim suppliers, and strategic vendors Ensure supplier alignment on development and production timelines Support troubleshooting and resolution of material-related issues during production Drive exclusive material developments to strengthen product DNA and competitive differentia