Textile Development Professional - Technical Textiles

POSITION TITLE

Textile Development Professional – Technical Textiles  

POSITION OVERVIEW 

This role is responsible for development activities for knit, woven, coating and finishing technologies supporting Milliken's Technical Textiles business across Building & Infrastructure, Decor, and Industrial markets. Development activities include developing innovative new products, facilitating projects to improve margins of existing products, and supporting manufacturing in the technical performance of existing products. Key markets supported by this role include building and construction, contract textiles and décor applications, tape reinforcements, and industrial textiles. A key part of the role includes maintaining excellent relationships with existing customers while building relationships with new customers and industry partners to enhance the growth pipeline. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Product Development – Concept through Production Adoption for textile technologies 

• Work with Marketing, Product Management, and Business teams on new development projects 

• Work with Manufacturing on project execution  

• Work with Existing/New Customers on development projects 

• Production process and mechanical innovations to improve quality, efficiency, and performance 

• Variable Cost Reduction Projects with manufacturing 

• Customer Communication regarding new projects, concepts, and solutions 

• Identifying new opportunities to enhance the growth pipeline 

• Developing relationships with key raw material suppliers to further enhance technical capabilities 

• Support technical service activities and manufacturing problem solving as needed 

• Support product compliance, certification, and regulatory activities, including coordination of testing, documentation, and customer requirements related to programs such as Oeko-Tex®, HPD, California Fire Marshal, and other applicable industry standards. 

• Participate in customer visits, trade shows, and industry events to identify emerging market needs and opportunities 

QUALIFICATIONS – REQUIRED 

• BS Degree in Engineering, Textile Engineering, Textile Technology, Materials Science, Chemistry, or comparable technical field  

• Demonstrated Leadership Skills in Team Environment  

• Experience in textile manufacturing(wovens, non-wovens and/or knits), product development, or related technical field  

• Skilled in Microsoft Office applications and technical data analysis; experience with SAP or pipeline management systems is a plus 

• Willingness to travel to key customer locations, manufacturing sites, and trade shows 

• Ability to collaborate both internally and externally to shape ideas and concepts and communicate them successfully to build a robust development portfolio 

• Demonstrate creative problem-solving skills and innovative thinking to provide customer-focused solutions  

• Passionate about driving innovation and change 

• Display high energy and be fully committed to the role, its opportunities and challenges 

QUALIFICATIONS – PREFERRED 

• Experience with wovens, non-wovens, circular knit, warp knit, coating, finishing, lamination, or related textile technologies  

• Strong Chemical background/experience a plus  

• Experience working directly with customers, suppliers, or manufacturing operations 

• Relevant internship, co-op, research, or project experience for recent graduates   

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