Material Developer III – Leather

ACG_3389_JOB Our client is a leading garment corporation, who is looking for a qualified candidate to join their firm. Key Responsibilities Lead the end-to-end development of footwear upper materials and trims, with a primary focus on leather and related material applications. Manage seasonal material development from initial brief handoff through technical review milestones and final commercialization readiness. Evaluate, develop, and validate materials and trims to ensure alignment with product design intent, technical specifications, and manufacturing feasibility. Partner closely with suppliers, laboratories, factories, and internal cross-functional teams to drive material development timelines and approval gates. Ensure all materials meet established expectations for performance, quality, durability, and target cost. Identify material-related risks, testing concerns, and development issues early, and communicate appropriate solutions and status updates to stakeholders across regions. Create, maintain, and communicate material standards, technical specifications, and development documentation throughout the process. Support material selection decisions by providing technical insight on properties, testing results, construction suitability, and commercialization readiness. Work with manufacturing partners to resolve material execution challenges and improve consistency in production outcomes. Contribute to continuous improvement in material development processes, supplier collaboration, and technical communication. Requirements Education Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience in materials, chemistry, product development, engineering, or a related discipline. Experience Proven experience in footwear materials development, preferably within leather or upper materials categories. Hands-on background in managing material development from concept or brief stage through technical approvals and commercialization. Experience working with suppliers, laboratories, factories, and cross-functional product creation teams. Technical Knowledge Strong understanding of material properties, especially leather and other upper materials used in footwear. Good knowledge of material testing methods, validation requirements, and quality/performance standards. Ability to assess material suitability for product application, manufacturability, and cost objectives. Core Competencies Strong supplier management and external partner coordination skills. Effective cross-functional collaboration and communication across regional and global teams. Strong attention to detail, particularly in documentation, technical specifications, and risk tracking. Ability to manage multiple seasonal priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced development environment. Professional working proficiency in English, both written and verbal. Proactive, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to balance technical quality, speed, and commercial requirements. Contact: Phuong Anh Nguyen, Giau Nguyen Due to the immense number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.