Senior Specialist, Material Quality, Textile

How You Will Make a Difference

As Senior Specialist, Material Quality, Apparel, you will support quality assurance and risk mitigation for apparel raw materials, with responsibility for Korea-based business and supplier needs. You will partner with Brands, Sourcing, Global Material Services, Regional Quality, material suppliers, fabric mills and third-party laboratories to identify risks, resolve quality issues and improve material performance. You will also act as a subject matter expert, share technical knowledge and support consistent execution of VF quality standards and calibration requirements.

What You Will Do

Apparel Material Technical Quality

• Lead and support apparel material certification and supplier training, including Supplier Certification Program requirements where applicable, to ensure alignment with VF quality standards and calibration procedures.
• Review material specifications, test results, performance trends and quality incidents, and provide clear technical recommendations.
• Partner with stakeholders to identify root causes and drive effective containment, corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop practical procedures, guidelines and best practices that improve material consistency and reduce repeat quality issues.

Supplier Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Work with material suppliers, fabric mills, factories and third-party laboratories to support quality controls, testing alignment, calibration and traceability.
• Use quality data, supplier performance information and problem-solving tools to identify risks and improvement priorities.
• Apply structured problem-solving and continuous-improvement methods such as 8D, Fishbone Diagram, 5 WHY, ISO 9001, Six Sigma and 5S as appropriate.
• Support supplier capability improvement through technical guidance, training and ongoing collaboration.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Collaborate with Brands, Sourcing, GMS, Regional Quality and other partners to align material quality priorities and solutions.
• Maintain clear communication with internal teams, suppliers, mills and laboratories to ensure common understanding and timely follow-through.
• Share material quality insights that can improve product performance and customer satisfaction.
• Build credibility through active listening, fact-based recommendations and solution-focused dialogue.

How You Will Lead

• Set clear priorities for assigned work and connect material quality activities to VF and business needs.
• Build trust through respectful, open and reliable communication with internal and external partners.
• Use technical knowledge, data and consumer needs to make sound recommendations and influence decisions.
• Demonstrate learning agility, ownership and a consistent focus on results.
• Support knowledge sharing and collaboration across teams, locations and suppliers.
• Act with integrity, sound judgment and openness, and uphold VF Values in daily work.

What Success Looks Like

• Apparel raw materials consistently meet VF and brand requirements.
• Material quality risks are identified early and addressed through practical preventive action.
• Corrective actions are completed on time and remain effective.
• Suppliers, mills and laboratories maintain stronger quality alignment and calibration.
• Cross-functional stakeholders receive timely, clear and useful technical support.
• Material knowledge, procedures and best practices are shared effectively across the organization.

Skills for Success

• 5+ years of relevant experience in apparel raw material quality, textile development, R&D, manufacturing, supplier quality or a related field.
• University degree preferred in Textile Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of apparel raw materials, material performance, testing, manufacturing processes, common failure modes and quality controls.
• Strong analytical, root-cause problem-solving, organization and stakeholder-management skills.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001, 8D, Fishbone Diagram, 5 WHY, Six Sigma and 5S.
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and spoken English; Korean language capability is required for the Korea-based role.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and matrix environment.
• Ability to travel to suppliers, mills, factories, laboratories and VF locations as business needs require.

VF Values

Integrity | Consumer-Focused | Growth Mindset | Simplicity | Win Together

Free to Be, Inclusion & Diversity

As a purpose-led, performance-driven company, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness and authenticity. We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our associates, allowing them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.

What's In It for You

We are in the business of unleashing human potential, driven by the ideas, energy and commitment of our people. We offer comprehensive benefits that encourage mental, physical and financial well-being for VF associates.

We just have one question. Are you in?
 
 

R-20261103-0069