Location: Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Workplace Type: Onsite
Work Type: Full-time
Stretchline is the world's largest supplier of narrow elasticated fabrics, covered yarns, dyed yarns, and textile innovations. It has been pioneering new ways of working in the textiles industry for decades. With manufacturing in the Eastern and Western hemispheres spanning various countries and cultures, this role is the perfect opportunity to work for a multinational company.
We're looking for a Product Specialist to lead the creation, development, and enhancement of commercial products within the Stretchline US business. This role will champion innovation and new product initiatives, acting as the vital link between the global innovation function and the local Sales and Marketing teams.
The successful candidate will play a key role in educating internal teams, promoting new product capabilities both internally and externally, and ensuring innovation is effectively embedded into the US business unit's commercial strategy.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Sales teams for global brands based in the West during key customer meetings, engaging with designers, innovators, and product developers at major global brands. Present innovations and provide expert input on new product developments.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with business partners, vendors, customers, and universities to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange.
- Champion new products and innovations in the Stretchline business in the West, educating Sales and Marketing teams to strengthen customer conversations.
- Act as the primary customer contact at the US Collaboration Hub, working closely on co-creation and strategic development opportunities.
- Liaise with technical teams to ensure customer visions are accurately translated into product development.
- Maintain a clear understanding of customer innovation pipelines and seasonal calendars to anticipate needs and align product offerings.
- Generate commercially viable product ideas focused on short-term innovation and solution-driven design, enhancing customer value.
- Integrate sustainability into all aspects of new product development.
- Gather and analyse customer feedback to refine product solutions and feed future projects into the innovation pipeline.
- Support the global launch of innovations, contributing to product education and adoption across regional teams.
- Use a strong design eye to create impactful digital and physical marketing materials that clearly communicate product benefits and solutions.
- Ensure all materials and presentations carry a clear, customer-focused marketing pitch, tailored to both product functionality and consumer needs.
- Carry out other ad hoc projects and duties as required in support of team and business goals.
Qualifications and Experience
- Degree in a textile-related field, such as Textile Design, Textile Technology, or a related discipline
- Minimum of 5 years' experience in product development within the textile industry
- In-depth knowledge of textile manufacturing processes, with a practical understanding of knitting and weaving
- Strong design sensibility with a clear understanding of end-use garment applications and consumer expectations
- Proven success working across complex, multi-cultural business environments
- Excellent organisation and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, able to engage confidently with stakeholders at all levels
- Comfortable working with cross-functional teams, external partners, and global customers
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving capabilities
- High level of commercial awareness and business acumen