Materials Development and Supply Chain Project Manager

Aquent is proud to partner with a global leader in athletic footwear and apparel, an organization renowned for pushing the boundaries of innovation and performance. In this dynamic contract role, you will play a pivotal part in bringing cutting-edge performance products to life by ensuring high-performance materials are seamlessly developed, sourced, and delivered. As the central connector between material development initiatives and global suppliers, your expertise will directly optimize supply chains, resolve complex challenges, and help deliver world-class athletic gear to consumers worldwide.

The Opportunity

Step into a high-impact position where your project management prowess and supply chain expertise will shape the future of athletic product creation. You will collaborate with international partners and cross-functional teams to navigate material lifecycles from initial concept to full-scale production. This is an exciting opportunity to own critical projects, mitigate operational risks, and gain invaluable global exposure within a fast-paced, innovative manufacturing environment.

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.