Director, Fabric R&D

About us

Ann Taylor embodies and celebrates the spirit, heritage, and confidence of American women leading the lives they love. Since its beginnings, Ann Taylor has been committed to providing women with everything they need to feel inspired and motivated as they navigate their multifaceted lives. Our effortlessly polished styles are thoughtfully designed to go anywhere—from the office to special occasions (and everywhere in between).

Discover a culture centered on empowering employees, with access to industry leaders and tools you need to expand your skills and stretch your abilities. We'll meet you at every milestone with opportunities and benefits to make life better in and outside of work (not to mention your closet). Ready to join us?

About the role

The Director, Fabric Research & Development is a strategic leader responsible for developing and executing the fabric, raw materials, innovation, and sustainability strategy for the brand. This role partners closely with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Sourcing, Production, and Quality teams to drive fabric innovation, elevate product quality, and ensure alignment with brand aesthetic, sourcing strategies, and financial objectives.

The impact you can have

• Develop and execute the global fabric and raw materials strategy aligned with brand, product, sourcing, and sustainability goals.
• Lead seasonal and long-range fabric development from concept through production readiness.
• Identify trends and advance innovative fibers, yarns, finishes, washes, prints, and constructions.
• Partner with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Sourcing, Production, and Quality to deliver commercially viable fabrics.
• Ensure fabrics meet aesthetic, quality, performance, cost, compliance, and calendar requirements.
• Build and manage strategic global mill, supplier, and innovation partnerships.
• Drive supplier performance, cost optimization, capacity planning, and supply chain risk mitigation.
• Advance responsible sourcing, traceability, recycled materials, and other sustainability initiatives.
• Improve fabric development processes, tools, and workflows to increase efficiency and speed to market.
• Lead and develop the Fabric R&D team while fostering innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.

You’ll bring to the role

• Bachelor's degree in Textile Science, Textile Engineering, Materials Science, Fashion, Product Development, or related field
• 10-12+ years of progressive experience in fabric research & development, raw materials, sourcing, or textile innovation within apparel, fashion, retail, or related industries.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing teams and partnering across functions.
• Extensive expertise across woven, knit, novelty, performance, and specialty textiles.
• Deep understanding of fabric construction, fiber technologies, dyeing, printing, finishing, wash development, and garment applications.
• Proven success driving innovation and bringing new materials from concept through commercialization.
• Strong understanding of global sourcing strategies, mill capabilities, manufacturing processes, and supply chain operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing strategic supplier and mill partnerships globally.
• Strong business acumen with experience managing budgets, margins, cost targets, and financial objectives.

Benefits

• You will be eligible to receive a merchandise discount at select KnitWell Group brands, subject to each brand’s discount policies.
• Support for your individual development plus opportunities for career mobility within our family of brands.
• A culture of giving back – local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match to eligible nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic activities to support our communities. *
• Medical, dental, vision insurance & 401(K)*
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Time off – paid time off & holidays*
• The target salary range for this role is: $150,000 - $165,000*
• Hybrid: This position works in a hybrid model, with required days worked in the Ann Taylor office location in New York, NY as defined by business needs.

*Any job offer will consider factors such your qualifications, relevant experience, and skills. Eligibility of certain benefits and associate programs are subject to employment type and role.

Location:

Times Square Tower-ANN-New York, NY 10036

Position Type:

Regular/Full time

Equal Employment Opportunity
The Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable law. The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process, please contact myHRSupport@knitwellgroup.com. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business. The Company will not revoke or alter a job offer based on an applicant’s request for reasonable accommodation.

About Us

KnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, Chico's, Haven Well Within, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Soma, Talbots, White House Black Market. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful.

Our common thread is our commitment to create exceptional products, provide memorable experiences, and achieve superior results. Our associates are innovators who thrive through collaboration and are dedicated to excellence. At the heart of it all are the customers we serve. We are dedicated to creating fashion that not only looks good but also makes our customers feel good.

To reduce potential fraud, we remind all applicants:

• It won’t cost you money to apply for a job with us. Our brands will never ask for money – that includes a wire transfer or a credit card. There will be no charge for equipment, background checks or other expenses in submitting a job application with us.

• We will never ask for your bank account information as part of the interview process. Your bank account information should only be entered during the onboarding process after you are hired to set up direct deposit of wages.

• Interviews will be conducted in-person or through a secure video call, using a teleconference application that uses email addresses only (not telephone numbers).

• Watch closely for email addresses with misspelled or “spoofed” company names in communications during the interview process. Examples of suspicious addresses include “Info@company.net” instead of “Info@company.com,” and misspelled company names like “Info@companie.com” or “Info@compaany.com.”

• If you do apply to our Brands through an official job board site rather than using our official website (https://www.ascena.com/home/our-careers/work-with-us/), report suspicious communication immediately to the site or platform used to submit your job application (such as an official job board site).

• If you have any questions or are not sure if you’ve applied to our Brands, please reach out to myHRSupport@AscenaRetail.com to confirm.

• If you believe you may be a victim of a scam, please contact your local law enforcement.