Director – Specialty Fibers

Responsibilities

We are representing a leading direct-to-consumer retail organization seeking a Director of Specialty Fibers based in London. This senior leadership role is responsible for the end-to-end supply chain of luxury natural fibers including cashmere, merino, yak, and alpaca.

Strategic Leadership & Supply Chain Management

• Orchestrate the complete supply chain from fiber sourcing through finished yarn production, coordinating sourcing managers, production teams, and quality specialists
• Lead and mentor a specialized team of sourcing managers, quality engineers, and production experts
• Drive multi-sourcing and nearshoring strategies to mitigate geopolitical and logistical risks while ensuring stable supply of high-grade fibers from the Americas and Asia
• Evaluate vertical integration opportunities for spinning, dyeing, or finishing capabilities
• Advise executive leadership on fiber market trends, geopolitical risks, trade impacts, and competitive intelligence
• Identify cost-leadership opportunities across the supply chain while maintaining ethical standards

Sourcing & Supplier Development

• Build and manage a supplier ecosystem, identifying and onboarding mills, dehairers, spinners, and dye houses that meet exacting quality, capacity, sustainability, and labor standards
• Lead supplier development programs to improve yield, reduce defects, and achieve cost efficiencies
• Drive traceability and transparency from herder cooperatives through finished yarn, partnering with certification bodies (GOTS, RWS, GCS, ZQ)
• Make sourcing decisions based on market intelligence including auction prices, crop forecasts, and geopolitical developments

Quality Assurance & Technical Optimization

• Architect quality management systems for all specialty fibers, defining standards, testing protocols, and approval workflows
• Establish measurable quality benchmarks including micron distribution, fiber length, tensile strength, yield, color fastness, and pilling resistance
• Oversee third-party lab testing and compliance with international standards (ISO, OEKO-TEX, GOTS, REACH)
• Lead root-cause analysis for quality failures and implement corrective and preventive actions
• Collaborate with product development and design teams to translate aesthetic visions into technical specifications

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as central point of communication for all fiber-related matters across design, product development, and production teams
• Communicate daily with domestic and overseas mills, dye houses, and suppliers on fiber quality, color accuracy, availability, and production timelines
• Translate design and merchandising visions into manufacturable technical briefs for suppliers
• Lead validation panels with design, merchandising, and focus groups

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 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
• Excellent communication skills with ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with sustainable fibers and 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 eye for premium aesthetics, handfeel, and trend forecasting

How We Work With You

Our talent team at Get A Job.ai will guide you through the entire process. You'll apply through our platform at getajob.ai, where one of our specialized recruiters will screen your application and discuss the opportunity in detail. Once we've confirmed mutual interest and fit, we'll submit your profile to our confidential client for consideration. Please do not attempt to contact the hiring organization directly, as all communication and coordination will flow through Get A Job.ai to ensure a professional and organized process.

Pay

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

Equal Employment Opportunity

Get A Job.ai is committed to equal employment opportunity. We do not discriminate on the basis 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 federal, state, or local laws.