Senior Director, Product Development - Raw Materials, Fabric R&D & Innovation

Senior Director, Product Development

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Textile Science, Materials Engineering, or related field, is preferred
• 12+ years' experience in fabric development, raw materials, or sourcing within fashion, retail, or performance apparel.
• Proven success leading diverse, cross-functional global teams with strong leadership and people management skills.
• Deep technical knowledge of textiles, color management, and sustainable innovation.
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen, supplier management, and influencing ability.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Design, or related field and 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

Financial Modeling and Analysis, Microsoft Office, Product Development, Programming Language - VBA, Project Management, Statistical Programming Language - Structured Query Language (SQL) Masters, Masters: Arts Lean Six Sigma Champion Certification - Certification, Project Management - Project Management Professional - Certification

Primary Location

45 W 25Th St, New York, NY 10010, United States of America