Senior Specialist, Materials Quality, Apparel/ Footwear

Key Purpose of the Job: This role supports quality assurance and risk mitigation specifically for apparel raw materials. The specialist will partner with internal and external stakeholders to identify potential quality issues and lead proactive measures to ensure consistent material performance and compliance. The role also supports supplier improvement through technical training, governance programs, and ongoing collaboration. Acts as a subject matter expert in apparel raw materials, educating cross-functional teams and promoting material knowledge across the organizationKey Area of Responsibility:• Lead and support the certification and training (SCP) of apparel raw materials to ensure alignment with VF quality standards and proper calibration procedures.• Partner with cross-functional teams (Brands, Sourcing, GMS, etc.) to identify root causes of material quality issues and drive corrective actions.• Maintain strong, clear communication with internal teams and external apparel raw material suppliers, ensuring alignment and shared understanding.• Collaborate with Regional Quality (RO QM) and Global Material Services (GMS) teams to identify quality risks and develop innovative solutions.• Deliver technical recommendations and best practices to continuously improve apparel raw material performance and reduce quality incidents.• Develop and implement procedures and guidelines that support quality consistency across all apparel raw material types and suppliers.• Ensure effective internal and external communication, including fabric mills and third-party testing labs, to drive raw material quality initiatives.Strategic Role Relationship Building• Actively connect with Brand and VF Asia teams to share relevant material quality insights that impact product performance and customer satisfaction.• Foster authentic, solution-focused dialogue with stakeholders to align on quality goals.• Build credibility and strong partnerships within VF and across the apparel supply base.Leadership• Demonstrate active listening and collaborative idea exchange to influence others toward achieving quality and performance objectives for apparel materials.