Director – Specialty Fibers

Responsibilities

We are representing a confidential direct-to-consumer retail organization seeking a Director of Specialty Fibers based in London. This role orchestrates the end-to-end supply chain for luxury natural fibers including cashmere, merino, yak, and alpaca—serving as the central hub connecting sourcing, production, quality, and design teams across global markets.

Strategic Leadership & Supply Chain Management

• Lead and mentor a specialized team of sourcing managers, quality engineers, and production experts across the fiber-to-yarn supply chain
• Drive multi-sourcing and nearshoring strategies to mitigate geopolitical and logistical risks while maintaining stable supply of high-grade fibers from the Americas and Asia
• Evaluate vertical integration opportunities for spinning, dyeing, or finishing capabilities to enhance quality control and cost structure
• Advise executive leadership on fiber market trends, geopolitical risks (trade tariffs, export restrictions), climate impacts, and competitive intelligence
• Identify continuous cost-leadership opportunities across the supply chain without compromising ethical standards or product integrity

Sourcing & Supplier Development

• Build and manage a best-in-class supplier ecosystem of mills, dehairers, spinners, and dye houses meeting rigorous standards for quality, capacity, sustainability, and labor practices
• Lead supplier development programs to improve yield, reduce defects, and achieve cost efficiencies
• Drive traceability and transparency across the fiber supply chain from farms to finished yarn, partnering with certification bodies (GOTS, RWS, GCS, ZQ)
• Make strategic sourcing decisions based on market intelligence including auction prices, crop forecasts, currency fluctuations, and geopolitical developments

Quality Assurance & Technical Optimization

• Architect quality management systems for specialty fibers, defining standards and testing protocols for raw fiber, tops, yarns, and finished goods
• Establish measurable quality benchmarks including micron distribution, fiber length, tensile strength, yield, color fastness, and pilling resistance
• Oversee third-party lab testing and compliance to validate materials meet international standards (ISO, OEKO-TEX, GOTS, REACH)
• Lead root-cause analysis for quality failures and implement corrective and preventive actions across the supply chain
• Translate aesthetic and tactile visions into technical specifications that are manufacturable at scale and cost

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the central point of communication for all fiber-related matters, providing technical expertise to design, product development, and production teams
• Communicate daily with domestic and overseas mills, dye houses, and suppliers regarding fiber quality, color accuracy, availability, and production timelines
• Translate design and merchandising visions into clear, manufacturable technical briefs for suppliers
• Lead blind panels with design, merchandising, and customer focus groups to validate luxury fiber perception and color accuracy

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Textile Science, Fiber Engineering, Material Science, Supply Chain Management, Color Chemistry, or related field
• 15+ years of experience in specialty fiber sourcing, yarn production, quality management, or coloration for apparel, accessories, or home textiles
• Deep technical knowledge of natural fibers (cashmere, merino, yak, alpaca, cotton) and spinning processes (woolen, worsted)
• Proven leadership experience managing cross-functional teams in fast-paced retail or manufacturing environments, with a track record of mentoring and developing talent
• Strong cost analysis skills including cost-per-kilogram modeling, yield optimization, landed cost analysis, and budget management
• Experience building and maintaining quality standards and supplier compliance programs, including SKU rationalization and shade consolidation
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with sustainable fibers
• Knowledge of supply chain traceability including blockchain or digital tracking systems
• Familiarity with PLM systems and quality database management
• Background in luxury goods (apparel, home, and accessories) with an eye for premium aesthetics, handfeel, and trend forecasting

How We Work with You

Our talent team at Get A Job.ai has been engaged to find exceptional candidates for this confidential search. When you apply through our platform, a recruiter will screen your qualifications and experience. Strong candidates will be prepared and submitted to our client for consideration. Please apply exclusively through Get A Job.ai—direct contact with the employer is not part of this process.

Pay

Compensation details will be discussed during the screening process with our recruiting team.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Get A Job.ai provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.