Materials Development Lead (M/W)

 Want to contribute to the growth of a major global player in mountain sports?

Founded in the French Alps, Rossignol has been inspiring the mountain experience since 1907. We carry on our legacy through the development of our ski, mountain bike, outdoor equipment and apparel collections.

Our ambition is to be the benchmark for mountain sports in both summer and winter.

In Milan, within an international environment, we are looking for a Material Development Lead (M/W) !

The Materials Development Lead (M/W) will drive the research, development, and selection of materials (fabrics & trims) that align with Rossignol standards. This role will collaborate closely with Design, Product Development, Merchandising, Sourcing teams and suppliers to develop fabrics and trims that meet functional, aesthetic, and commercial requirements from concept through to commercialization. The position will also support material innovation initiatives, ensure alignment with seasonal timelines, and contribute to supplier strategy, cost optimization, and sustainable material development.

Your missions will include :

• Drive material selection and development aligned with design and merchandising briefs, ensuring the right balance of performance, aesthetics, and cost
• Lead the material innovation pipeline from concept through to commercialization
• Collaborate closely with design, product development, and merchandising teams from concept through development to bring material and trim ideas into execution
• Ensure materials meet end-use and performance requirements, working cross-functionally with stakeholders and QA
• Support product margin optimization through early-stage material selection and supplier negotiation
• Identify, evaluate, and develop strategic supplier partnerships, balancing innovation, quality and cost
• Leverage supplier base and volume opportunities to support cost negotiations and drive efficiency
• Partner with sourcing teams on geographic mill strategies to optimize duty impact and supply chain efficiency
• Identify potential supply chain risks and support mitigation strategies (e.g. supplier diversification)
• Conduct ongoing fabric research, including competitor benchmarking, trade fairs, and supplier engagement
• Review seasonal mill collections to identify materials for each product category
• Lead seasonal material trend presentations (fabric, color, print) to inform product direction
• Own and manage the material development timeline, ensuring alignment with seasonal calendars and key milestones
• Lead cross-functional materials meetings to ensure alignment and clear decision-making
• Support sustainable material initiatives, ensuring alignment with relevant certifications and compliance standards
• Manage material data within PLM systems, ensuring accuracy, visibility, and organization
• Coordinate and interpret material test results, partnering closely with QA
• Develop and maintain material and trim testing standards and requirements

Your profile

• Degree in Textile Engineering (or equivalent) with 5–8 years’ experience in fabric/material development within apparel, sportswear or outdoor industry
• Proven ability to develop fabrics and trims from concept through to commercialization
• Strong knowledge of fabric construction, performance, testing standards and end-use requirements

What you bring

• Ability to assess materials holistically (aesthetics, performance, cost)
• Solid understanding of the product development lifecycle, seasonal calendars and key milestones
• Awareness of market trends, competitors and emerging material innovations, with a proactive mindset to introduce new solutions
• Experience working with global suppliers and mills, building strong, long-term partnerships
• Ability to evaluate supplier performance across quality, cost and innovation

Your strengths

• Strong communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional and external teams
• Excellent negotiation and business acumen
• Problem-solving mindset with attention to detail and a drive for continuous improvement
• Ability to prioritize, adapt and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Fluent in English with the ability to translate technical concepts into clear communication. Italian or French is a plus.

• Continuing your career growth thanks to managers who care about the well-being and the development of their teams' skills, in particular through innovative projects
• Committing to cultural diversity, gender equality, and supporting the employment of people with disabilities within our company.
• Being proud to work for a responsible company committed to sustainability.
• Being part of a new and spacious office in Milan
• Benefiting from a flexible organization and the possibility of working remotely up to 2 days per week.
• Enjoying attractive prices on our brand, and much more.