Lead, Fabric R & D (Wovens & Soft Dressing)

Company Description
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Position Overview
Through Ralph Lauren's Global Research and Development, we are building a centralized team of resources created to support great visualization, interactivity, and sustainability, generating research & development that inspires the dream of a better life through authenticity and timeless style. Global R&D supports creators: motivated designers, developers, and business people on a mission to adopt sustainable materials, techniques and processes to design the best products, ultimately transforming the fashion industry. This role will focus on woven shirting and soft dressing categories.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Use your talent and skill to design products in keeping with the Ralph Lauren aesthetic Design and execute Concepts/Capsules each season Execute market research, competitive shopping, internet research, new trend research Implement the seasonal direction of the category and ensure consistency though products and ranges. Present seasonal concepts to senior management Through R&D to ensure all business needs and objectives are met, including - working within target fabric price points and margin requirements, achieving calendar deadlines, maintaining budgets and controlling spend, achieving sustainability goals, and adhering to the mill matrix

Experience, Skills & Knowledge
Must be a self-starter with a strong sense of initiative Practical time management skills with a solid ability to multitask and manage several ongoing projects Very organized with strong attention to detail Strong working knowledge of fabric specifications, constructions, weaves, finishes, dyeing techniques Experience in building and managing raw material libraries Knowledge of product costs and impact of design Clear understanding of the global sustainability landscape and how it relates to textile R&D Good analytical and mathematical skills Ability to quickly learn new tools a must A degree in Textiles is preferred 15 Years Working experience a plus