Senior Materials Developer

About Chêne:

At Chêne Gear, we build gear for hunters who demand more from their equipment, more from their experience, and more from the brands they trust. We believe in products made right, built to last, and backed by service that honors the people who use them. Every decision we make ties back to that standard.

Why this Role Exists:

As Chêne Gear grows its soft-goods line, materials are the foundation of the Built Better® promise. This promise is engineered to hold up to real field use, from base layers to outerwear. This is a category-wide role: rather than owning a single product line, the Senior Materials Developer sets technical direction for the materials that go into every layer a hunter wears, from what sits against the skin to what stands up to the weather.

Position Summary:

Chêne Gear is hiring a Senior Materials Developer to lead material strategy, development, and sourcing across our entire soft-goods line. You will set technical direction for the materials that go into every layer a hunter wears, from what sits against the skin to what stands up to the weather.

You'll develop and source materials a wide range of (laminates, insulation systems, technical knits, and moisture-management fabrics) in partnership with Design and Product Development, translating seasonal needs into materials that meet Chêne's durability, performance, and value standards at every layer. Partner in developing regional sourcing strategies with world class vendor partners.

Key Responsibilities:

Material Development: Across the Full Line

• Lead the development and sourcing of materials across all categories, including waterproof/breathable laminates and membranes for outerwear and waders, insulation systems, and moisture-wicking, thermal-regulating technical knits for first layers.
• Independently lead high-priority material development and commercialization projects across the full product line, from concept through launch.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies starting at the fiber level through fabric constructions, insulation systems, and chemical treatments, and assess their fit for Chêne's product line.
• Partner cross-functionally with Design, Product Development, Quality, Production, and Sourcing to translate seasonal concepts into materials that meet performance goals and product briefs.
• Anticipate risk throughout the development timeline and adjust strategy proactively to keep projects on track and aligned with business needs.
• Develop and present material concepts that inform future product strategy and category plans.
• Monitor the outdoor and hunting apparel landscape to keep material choices aligned with Chêne's durability and value standards.

Innovation & Category Strategy

• Build and maintain a materials roadmap that spans every product group, sequencing innovation against seasonal line plans and long-term product vision.
• Conduct competitive and market research to inform material decisions.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate materials and suppliers across categories where it improves cost, quality, or speed without compromising performance.

Supply Chain Partnership

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships rooted in trust, transparency, and shared values.
• Partner with strategic suppliers to strengthen technical capabilities and advance material innovation.
• Evaluate potential suppliers based on their ability to meet Chêne's quality, performance, environmental, social responsibility, capacity, and cost requirements.
• Support the continuous improvement of material supply chains with a focus on resilience, traceability, and responsible sourcing.

Commercialization & Handoff

• Ensure every material is fully vetted, tested, and documented ahead of each seasonal and commercialization milestone, enabling a confident transition to production.
• Communicate and help manager material costs, lead times, risks, and implementation considerations clearly and proactively to cross-functional partners.
• Contribute materials, specifications, and supporting documentation to Chêne's Material Library, strengthening it as a resource for the broader team.
• Equip downstream teams with the guidance and support needed to adopt and execute new materials successfully.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering, Materials Science, Product Development, or a related field (or equivalent hands-on experience).
• 5–10 years developing and commercializing materials in apparel or outdoor/technical gear, with experience spanning multiple product categories.
• Understanding of fiber and yarn technologies and how they translate into fabric performance across wovens and knits.
• Working knowledge of waterproof/breathable technologies, insulation systems (down, synthetic, natural), technical base-layer knits (moisture management, thermal regulation, stretch), and performance materials.
• Understanding of lab and field-testing methodologies for technical materials throughout a layered system.

Skills & Competencies

• Ability to own material strategy across a broad, varied product line rather than a single category.
• Strong supplier management and negotiation skills.
• Highly organized, able to manage multiple seasons and categories at once.
• Clear communicator who can translate technical material detail for non-technical stakeholders.

What Success looks like in this role:

• A category-wide materials roadmap is in place and sequenced against seasonal line plans.
• Every material released to production carries complete, audit-ready test documentation.
• Strong, trust-based relationships are established with strategic mills and suppliers.
• Chêne's Material Library and PLM system is current and relied on by the broader team.