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Head of Materials Development

GSIQ

 

Lead the future of materials at Gymshark.
As our Head of Materials Development, you’ll own the journey from concept to bulk production — ensuring every material we use meets our standards for performance, quality, durability, innovation, and sustainability. You’ll guide and inspire a talented team of materials development managers, working closely with design, sourcing, colour, quality, and product development to deliver materials that are functionally ready, commercially viable, and world-class. Your work will be at the heart of product excellence and customer satisfaction.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

  • Lead and manage the Materials Development team, overseeing the development of all textile, non-textile materials from concept through to bulk production including washed garments.
  • Ensure all materials meet Gymshark’s standards for quality, durability, performance (including wash garment and colour fastness, aesthetics, and compliance across all product categories.
  • Drive on-time material development, ensuring alignment with seasonal calendars, product development milestones, and bulk production timelines.
  • Collaborate closely with product development, design, and sourcing teams to align material specifications with garment functionality and innovation needs.
  • Oversee testing and validation protocols guaranteeing materials are performing and production ready. Manage the relationship with 3rd party laboratories.
  • Manage the industrialization process, from base development and prototyping through to final bulk approval, working closely with mills and manufacturing partners.
  • Establish and maintain technical documentation, including material specifications, test results, and performance benchmarks.
  • Monitor industry trends, innovations, and sustainability opportunities in materials science, and translate them into competitive advantages.
  • Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement as well as evaluating their performance.
  • Champion sustainability and circularity, integrating responsible material sourcing and
  • lifecycle thinking into development processes.
  • Support the sourcing strategy and regionalisation through developing locally sourced materials.
  • Act as the technical referent for materials.

Accountable for:

  • Materials to be developed as per season retro-plannings.
  • Publish regularly the KPI relating to materials suppliers. ·
  • Review and publish the material performance standard manual yearly. 
  • Developing and fostering a high performing team.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

Essential Criteria:

  • Proven success in leading teams
  • Advanced technical knowledge in fibre, yarn, fabric, knitting, weaving dyeing and finishing.
  • Knowledge of lab testing, global and commercial fabric testing criteria.
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to influence stakeholders
  • Experience working with global markets
  • Experience analysing supplier performance and able to make suggestions on improvements.
  • Strong knowledge of sustainable methods and practices within material production settings as well as within the product design/development stages.
  • Knowledge of garment construction is highly desirable.
  • Ability to anticipate problems, offer solutions, and address issues with materials.
  • Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
  • Proficient at presenting to numerous different stakeholders in an engaging and informative way.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office suite and data management systems such as PLM.
  • Ability to travel

WHAT YOU COULD ALSO HAVE:

  • Experience in digital retail businesses
  • Understanding of active/sport/fitness/fashion markets on a macro level

This is a hybrid role and would require the successful candidate to attend at least THREE days a week in GSIQ, Solihull, UK.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR THIS ROLE IS: FRIDAY 22ND AUGUST 

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✅ Disability Confident Committed 

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer and want to encourage anyone with a disability to apply for a role at Gymshark. We offer an interview to candidates with disabilities or long-term conditions who meet the minimum criteria for the role. 

Please let us know below if would you like to apply through the Disability Confident scheme.

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🙌 Reasonable Adjustments

We’re committed to finding reasonable adjustments for candidates with specific needs or have a disability during our recruitment process, and all applicants will be considered fairly and equally. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. 

If you’d like to request a reasonable adjustment please email talent@gymshark.com.