About the role

Aplyr's Quick Take

This role is about managing and curating a materials library specifically for footwear at VF Corporation. You'll lead a team to ensure the library is organized, up-to-date, and relevant for design and development teams, focusing on material properties and sustainability.

Good fit

Ideal candidates have a strong background in materials science or a related field, experience in library management, and a knack for organization and storytelling. You should be comfortable leading a team and collaborating across departments.

Worth noting

The role emphasizes sustainability and innovation in materials, which is increasingly important in the industry. It also requires a blend of technical knowledge and creative presentation skills, making it unique compared to typical management roles.

ABOUT YOUR ROLE:

The Manager, Materials Library is responsible for the strategic management, curation, and continuous improvement of VF Corporation’s physical materials library for footwear & Equipment. This role ensures the library contains accurate, relevant, and unique physical representations of all materials used across the business. The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of material properties, a passion for organization and storytelling, and the ability to lead a team of subject matter experts (SMEs) in maintaining a world-class resource for design and development teams.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

Include but not limited to:

Library Management & Curation

Oversee the organization, cataloging, and maintenance of the physical materials library to ensure easy access and retrieval.

Ensure all materials in the library are accurately labeled, stored, and reflect current sourcing and usage across VF brands.

Validate all material addition requests, ensuring only materials with unique aesthetic, functional, or physical properties are accepted.

Seasonal Material Presentations

Curate and prepare seasonal material assortments in support of brand creative kick-off and inspiration sessions.

Collaborate with design, development, and sourcing teams to align material presentations with seasonal direction and innovation priorities.

Governance & Quality Control

Conduct regular audits and purges of the library to eliminate duplicates, outdated, or redundant materials.

Establish and enforce guidelines for material uniqueness and relevance to maintain a high-quality, focused library.

Team Leadership

Supervise a team of material subject matter experts (SMEs) responsible for evaluating material submissions for uniqueness and relevance.

Provide coaching and direction to ensure consistent evaluation standards and alignment with library governance protocols.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with digital library teams to ensure alignment between physical and digital material representations.

Work closely with sustainability, sourcing, and innovation teams to ensure the library reflects VF’s material strategy and value

WHAT WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR IN YOU:

Strong knowledge of footwear & apparel material, properties, construction and sourcing

Familiarity with PLM systems and material databases.

Experience in storytelling and presentation of materials for creative teams.

Understanding of sustainability and circular material strategies.

Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Ability to operate with a fast moving highly matrixed organization

R-20260526-0014

Skills & Tags

data

Aplyr's read

VF Corporation stands out as a powerhouse in lifestyle apparel, attracting individuals passionate about outdoor and active brands like Vans and The North Face.
Synthesized from recent postings & public sources

What's promising

•VF Corporation boasts a strong portfolio with iconic brands like Vans and The North Face.
•The company has a global presence, enhancing brand reach and market influence.
•VF's focus on sustainability aligns with growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products.

What to watch

•Heavy reliance on a few key brands could pose risks if consumer preferences shift.
•Intense competition in the apparel industry may impact market share.
•Economic downturns can significantly affect discretionary spending on lifestyle apparel.

Why VF Corporation

•VF Corporation's brand diversity covers multiple lifestyle segments, from outdoor to urban.
•The company has a long-standing commitment to sustainability and innovation.
•VF's strategic acquisitions have strengthened its market position and brand portfolio.

Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?

About VF Corporation

VF Corporation

vfc.com

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VF Corporation is a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel, footwear, and accessories, known for its diverse portfolio of outdoor and active lifestyle brands.