Walmart
Senior Director, Product Development - Raw Materials, Fabric R&D & Innovation
Walmart, New York, New York, us, 10261
Overview
The Senior Director, Raw Materials, Fabric R&D & Innovation leads Walmart Fashion’s global strategy for materials, fabric development, color, and sustainability. This role oversees raw material strategy, mill partnerships, quality assurance, and color execution—driving innovation, operational excellence, and value across apparel and accessory categories.
As a key strategic leader, the Senior Director combines deep technical expertise with strong people leadership, building and empowering global teams to deliver high-quality, responsibly sourced, and trend-right materials that support Walmart’s vision for accessible, sustainable fashion.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Raw Material Strategy
Define and execute the global raw material strategy, aligning with Walmart’s design, sourcing, and sustainability goals.
Build a long-term roadmap focused on innovation, speed, quality, and cost optimization.
Partner with global sourcing and design teams to ensure alignment of fabric and material choices with consumer and brand needs.
Fabric R&D, Innovation & Color Execution
Lead Fabric R&D and Color Execution, ensuring excellence from concept to bulk production.
Champion new material technologies, sustainable fibers, and next-generation finishes that drive differentiation and value.
Foster cross-functional collaboration to translate creative concepts into scalable, commercially viable solutions.
Mill Relationships & Supply Optimization
Manage and strengthen strategic mill and raw material supplier partnerships, driving accountability and continuous improvement.
Negotiate global agreements and secure strategic capacity for key programs.
Ensure agility, flexibility, and resilience in the raw material supply chain.
Quality, Compliance & Sustainability
Oversee Raw Material Quality and Assurance programs aligned with Walmart’s rigorous standards.
Partner with Sustainability and ESG teams to advance initiatives in circularity, traceability, and responsible sourcing.
Drive adoption of globally recognized certifications (e.g., GRS, Oeko-Tex, Bluesign, Higg Index).
Leadership & Team Development
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing global team across materials, color, quality, and sustainability.
Build a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Invest in talent growth and organizational capability to meet future business and product needs.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s in Textile Science, Materials Engineering, Business Administration, Marketing, Design, or related field (preferred).
6 years’ experience in design, merchandising, marketing, or related area OR 8 years’ experience in design, merchandising, marketing, or related area.
2 years’ supervisory experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in fashion, retail, or performance apparel with diverse, cross-functional global teams.
Deep technical knowledge of textiles, color management, and sustainable innovation.
Strategic thinker with strong business acumen, supplier management, and influencing ability.
Financial modeling and analysis, project management, and related analytical skills.
Compensation & Benefits The annual salary range for this position is $192,000.00 - $384,000.00. Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, military leave pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more.
Location Primary Location: 45 W 25Th St, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
Additional Information Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam\'s Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor\'s degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms. For information about benefits and eligibility, see One.Walmart.
The annual salary range for this position is $192,000.00-$384,000.00. Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Additional compensation for certain positions may also include stock.
Compliance Walmart and its subsidiaries are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and have a no tolerance policy regarding the use of illegal drugs and alcohol on the job. This policy applies to all employees and aims to create a safe and productive work environment.
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As a key strategic leader, the Senior Director combines deep technical expertise with strong people leadership, building and empowering global teams to deliver high-quality, responsibly sourced, and trend-right materials that support Walmart’s vision for accessible, sustainable fashion.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Raw Material Strategy
Define and execute the global raw material strategy, aligning with Walmart’s design, sourcing, and sustainability goals.
Build a long-term roadmap focused on innovation, speed, quality, and cost optimization.
Partner with global sourcing and design teams to ensure alignment of fabric and material choices with consumer and brand needs.
Fabric R&D, Innovation & Color Execution
Lead Fabric R&D and Color Execution, ensuring excellence from concept to bulk production.
Champion new material technologies, sustainable fibers, and next-generation finishes that drive differentiation and value.
Foster cross-functional collaboration to translate creative concepts into scalable, commercially viable solutions.
Mill Relationships & Supply Optimization
Manage and strengthen strategic mill and raw material supplier partnerships, driving accountability and continuous improvement.
Negotiate global agreements and secure strategic capacity for key programs.
Ensure agility, flexibility, and resilience in the raw material supply chain.
Quality, Compliance & Sustainability
Oversee Raw Material Quality and Assurance programs aligned with Walmart’s rigorous standards.
Partner with Sustainability and ESG teams to advance initiatives in circularity, traceability, and responsible sourcing.
Drive adoption of globally recognized certifications (e.g., GRS, Oeko-Tex, Bluesign, Higg Index).
Leadership & Team Development
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing global team across materials, color, quality, and sustainability.
Build a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Invest in talent growth and organizational capability to meet future business and product needs.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s in Textile Science, Materials Engineering, Business Administration, Marketing, Design, or related field (preferred).
6 years’ experience in design, merchandising, marketing, or related area OR 8 years’ experience in design, merchandising, marketing, or related area.
2 years’ supervisory experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in fashion, retail, or performance apparel with diverse, cross-functional global teams.
Deep technical knowledge of textiles, color management, and sustainable innovation.
Strategic thinker with strong business acumen, supplier management, and influencing ability.
Financial modeling and analysis, project management, and related analytical skills.
Compensation & Benefits The annual salary range for this position is $192,000.00 - $384,000.00. Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, military leave pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more.
Location Primary Location: 45 W 25Th St, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
Additional Information Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam\'s Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor\'s degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms. For information about benefits and eligibility, see One.Walmart.
The annual salary range for this position is $192,000.00-$384,000.00. Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Additional compensation for certain positions may also include stock.
Compliance Walmart and its subsidiaries are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and have a no tolerance policy regarding the use of illegal drugs and alcohol on the job. This policy applies to all employees and aims to create a safe and productive work environment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr