Materials Development and Supply Chain Project Manager

Aquent is proud to partner with a global leader in athletic footwear and apparel, a company renowned for pushing the boundaries of innovation and performance. This organization is at the forefront of creating products that empower athletes worldwide, driven by a commitment to excellence and groundbreaking design.

We are seeking an experienced materials and supply chain professional to join their dynamic team as a critical contributor to innovative performance footwear development. In this pivotal contract role, you will be instrumental in bringing cutting-edge products to life, directly impacting the availability of high-performance materials that define the future of athletic gear. You'll be the linchpin connecting material development initiatives with global suppliers, ensuring every material is precisely where it needs to be, when it needs to be there, to support critical product creation and commercialization timelines. Your expertise will resolve supply challenges, optimize material flow, and ultimately help deliver world-class products to consumers globally.

What You'll Do

• Manage material development projects from initial concept through supplier onboarding, commercialization, and eventual phase-out.
• Coordinate with global suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure material availability, production readiness, and achievement of project milestones.
• Collaborate closely with Materials Sourcing, Materials Planning, Product Development, and Manufacturing Operations teams to support key business priorities.
• Track supplier capacity, material lead times, inventory health, and proactively identify potential supply chain constraints.
• Identify risks, implement proactive resolutions for issues, and escalate challenges that could impact production or commercialization timelines.
• Support material qualification processes, ensure supplier readiness, and manage transitions from development into full-scale production.
• Maintain accurate material data, project trackers, status reports, and essential operational documentation.
• Communicate regularly with cross-functional stakeholders and international supplier partners to ensure alignment and timely execution.

What You'll Bring

• 5+ years of experience in supply chain, materials sourcing, material planning, supplier operations, or related manufacturing environments.
• Strong project management experience, including managing multiple priorities, coordinating diverse stakeholders, and consistently delivering against deadlines.
• Proven experience working with suppliers, vendors, or manufacturing partners to manage material availability, production requirements, or complex supply chain challenges.
• A solid understanding of material supply chains, supplier capacity planning, lead times, and operational risk management.
• Strong Excel skills and experience managing operational data, reporting, and project tracking.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• A proactive, self-directed approach and the ability to navigate ambiguity in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Ability to participate in occasional evening meetings with international partners.

Nice to Have

• Previous experience with global footwear or apparel organizations.
• Experience with textiles, yarns, fibers, fabrics, or performance materials.
• Knowledge of material development, qualification, onboarding, commercialization, or lifecycle management processes.
• Experience coordinating suppliers or manufacturing operations in international regions.
• Familiarity with seasonal product development calendars and material readiness requirements.
• Experience with ERP, PLM, or materials management systems.
• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, textiles, operations, or a related field.

Why Join Us?

• Work on innovative products: Support the materials and supply chain processes behind performance footwear used around the world.
• Make a meaningful impact: Help ensure new materials and supplier capabilities are ready to support important product launches.
• Gain global exposure: Collaborate with sourcing, planning, engineering, and manufacturing partners across international teams.
• Own important projects: Take responsibility for coordinating initiatives, solving problems, and keeping development timelines on track.
• Build valuable industry experience: Strengthen your expertise in performance materials, global sourcing, and footwear commercialization.

If you enjoy bringing structure to complex projects, collaborating with global suppliers, and solving real-world materials and supply chain challenges, we'd love to hear from you.