Materials Manager

Overview The Materials Manager – Gear & Advanced Innovation leads the development, validation, and commercialization of advanced material systems for REI Gear categories. This role focuses on technical fabrics and systems—including coatings, laminations, membranes, bonded constructions, and surface technologies—and drives open innovation with mills, chemical suppliers, and external partners. This role bridges material science and product execution, translating emerging technologies into scalable, production-ready solutions that meet REI’s performance, durability, sustainability, and supply-chain requirements. Responsibilities and Qualifications Leadership and Team Development Inspire and lead a high-performing team of material developers, providing coaching, mentorship, and professional development. Define key responsibilities and practices to promote teamwork, innovation, and confidence in leadership. Foster a culture of collaboration and accountability, supporting cross-functional goals across Materials design, product strategy, sourcing, and sustainability. Material Development Develop and execute a strategic multi-season material development aligned with REI’s product and brand goals. Evaluate material performance, quality, and sustainability to meet REI Co-op Brands’ aesthetic, functional, and environmental requirements. Partner with Material design and product development teams to deliver innovative material stories that reflect consumer insights and field use. Drive continuous improvement by assessing risks, addressing challenges, and refining materials through lab and 3 rd party testing validation processes. Supplier and Vendor Management Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with global and regional suppliers, driving efficiency and optimizing the materials portfolio. Oversee vendor performance and conduct on-site troubleshooting to ensure adherence to quality and delivery standards. Provide technical guidance during production trials and commercial transfers, ensuring smooth execution and scalability. Operational and Strategic Excellence Plan and execute materials calendars and processes, ensuring milestones are achieved across departments. Attend material shows and industry events to source new materials and gain insights into supplier capabilities. Collaborate with HQ teams to support innovation projects and ensure successful regional implementation. Develop and maintain a strategic toolbox of materials that enhance profitability and operational efficiency. Qualifications: Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Textile Technology, or related field. 7+ years of experience in material development, sourcing, and sustainability within the outdoor or related industries. Proven ability to lead teams and manage cross-functional projects in a global, fast-paced environment. Strong technical expertise in fabric, coating, lamination and insulation, with hands-on experience in commercialization. Deep understanding of sustainability certifications and industry standards (e.g., Textile Exchange, GRS). Exceptional negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills. Closing At REI, we believe the outdoors is for all . We are committed to becoming a fully inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization . We know that there's strength in our diversity – that each employee brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Every day you are driving change, fostering a culture of respect, and knowing you're backed by benefits that support your whole life. To work towards this commitment and fulfill our brand promise of inspiring and enabling a life outside for everyone, we seek employees who demonstrate different ways of working, create a sense of belonging, and actively listen and learn. Pay Transparency We are committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. As required by applicable Pay Transparency laws, REI provides a range of compensation for roles that may be hired in locations under these requirements. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include a wide array of factors, including: your specific skills and experience, geographic location or other relevant factors. REI offers all regular employees a generous employee discount, access to health benefits, a retirement savings plan and accrued time off. Click here for a detailed overview of benefits plans by employee profile. Pay Range $113,200.00 - $181,100.00 per year Leadership and Team Development Inspire and lead a high-performing team of material developers, providing coaching, mentorship, and professional development. Define key responsibilities and practices to promote teamwork, innovation, and confidence in leadership. Foster a culture of collaboration and accountability, supporting cross-functional goals across Materials design, product strategy, sourcing, and sustainability. Material Development Develop and execute a strategic multi-season material development aligned with REI's product and brand goals. Evaluate material performance, quality, and sustainability to meet REI Co-op Brands' aesthetic, functional, and environmental requirements. Partner with Material design and product development teams to deliver innovative material stories that reflect consumer insights and field use. Drive continuous improvement by assessing risks, addressing challenges, and refining materials through lab and 3 rd party testing validation processes. Supplier and Vendor Management Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with global and regional suppliers, driving efficiency and optimizing the materials portfolio. Oversee vendor performance and conduct on-site troubleshooting to ensure adherence to quality and delivery standards. Provide technical guidance during production trials and commercial transfers, ensuring smooth execution and scalability. Operational and Strategic Excellence Plan and execute materials calendars and processes, ensuring milestones are achieved across departments. Attend material shows and industry events to source new materials and gain insights into supplier capabilities. Collaborate with HQ teams to support innovation projects and ensure successful regional implementation. Develop and maintain a strategic toolbox of materials that enhance profitability and operational efficiency. Qualifications: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science, Textile Technology, or related field. 7+ years of experience in material development, sourcing, and sustainability within the outdoor or related industries. Proven ability to lead teams and manage cross-functional projects in a global, fast-paced environment. Strong technical expertise in fabric, coating, lamination and insulation, with hands-on experience in commercialization. Deep understanding of sustainability certifications and industry standards (e.g., Textile Exchange, GRS). Exceptional negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills. At REI, we believe the outdoors is for all . We are committed to becoming a fully inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization . We know that there's strength in our diversity - that each employee brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Every day you are driving change, fostering a culture of respect, and knowing you're backed by benefits that support your whole life. To work towards this commitment and fulfill our brand promise of inspiring and enabling a life outside for everyone, we seek employees who demonstrate different ways of working, create a sense of belonging, and actively listen and learn. Pay Transparency We are committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. As required by applicable Pay Transparency laws, REI provides a range of compensation for roles that may be hired in locations under these requirements. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include a wide array of factors, including: your specific skills and experience, geographic location or other relevant factors. REI offers all regular employees a generous employee discount, access to health benefits, a retirement savings plan and accrued time off. Click here for a detailed overview of benefits plans by employee profile.