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Team Lead Material Management Apparel (m/f/d)
Location: Eschborn (Headquarter) or Shanghai (China)Area of activity: Product & ApparelEmployment type: Full timeContract type: UnlimitedEntry level: ProfessionalStart date: Ab sofort
Engineered in Germany, Proven in the Wild
Jack Wolfskin is an internationally renowned outdoor brand and part of the ANTA Sports Group, one of the world’s leading sporting goods companies. As one of the top providers of high-quality outdoor apparel, footwear, and equipment in Europe and China, Jack Wolfskin stands for innovation, functionality, and sustainability. With a strong network of owned stores and franchise partners, the company is also one of the largest franchisors in Germany's sporting goods retail sector.
We’re looking for people with a spirit of adventure - free thinkers who blaze their own trail and explore the wild with passion together with a strong team that lives and breathes the outdoors. Sound like you? Then welcome to the Wild Ones.
Jack Wolfskin is an internationally renowned outdoor brand and part of the ANTA Sports Group, one of the world’s leading sporting goods companies. As one of the top providers of high-quality outdoor apparel, footwear, and equipment in Europe and China, Jack Wolfskin stands for innovation, functionality, and sustainability. With a strong network of owned stores and franchise partners, the company is also one of the largest franchisors in Germany's sporting goods retail sector.
We’re looking for people with a spirit of adventure - free thinkers who blaze their own trail and explore the wild with passion together with a strong team that lives and breathes the outdoors. Sound like you? Then welcome to the Wild Ones.
We free the wild inside everyone and out there!
We are looking for you to join our team in the Fabric Development Apparel Department at our headquarters in Idstein as a Team Lead Material Management Apparel (f/m/d) as soon as possible.
Our company headquarters will relocate to Eschborn towards the end of 2026, and your primary workplace will transition to Eschborn accordingly.
Our company headquarters will relocate to Eschborn towards the end of 2026, and your primary workplace will transition to Eschborn accordingly.
Your role in the Wolfpack:
Leadership
Material Strategy & Innovation
Cross-functional Collaboration
Supplier Management & Quality
Sustainability
- Lead, develop, and inspire the global Materials team across Germany, China, and Vietnam, including direct and functional reports
- Set clear goals, priorities, and ways of working for a team operating across multiple locations, time zones, and cultures
- Build capabilities within the team through coaching, constructive feedback, and succession planning
Material Strategy & Innovation
- In partnership with the Sourcing Director, develop and drive the global material strategy and roadmap aligned with brand, category, and commercial goals
- Scout, evaluate, and introduce innovative fabrics, trims, and finishing solutions
- Translate outdoor performance requirements, including waterproofness, breathability, weight, durability, and thermal insulation, into technical material solutions
- Manage the material library and core material platform to reduce complexity and optimize material reuse across collections
Cross-functional Collaboration
- Partner closely with Design, Product Management, Product Development, Quality, and Sustainability throughout the entire product creation process
- Ensure material milestones and decisions align with the seasonal development calendar
- Serve as the primary interface between headquarters and the Asian regional offices on all material-related topics
Supplier Management & Quality
- Manage strategic material supplier relationships and drive joint innovation projects in close collaboration with Sourcing
- Balance performance, cost, minimum order quantities (MOQs), and lead times when nominating materials
- Ensure all materials meet required testing and quality standards, chemical compliance requirements, including PFAS-free, REACH, and bluesign®, as well as applicable global standards
Sustainability
- Drive the use of preferred and lower-impact materials, including recycled, bio-based, and certified textiles
- Support circularity and traceability initiatives in line with corporate sustainability targets
What you bring:
- Successfully completed degree in textile engineering, textile technology, materials science, or a related field, or an equivalent professional qualification
- Extensive and proven experience in material development or material management within the outdoor, sports, or technical performance apparel/footwear sector
- Proven leadership experience, particularly in leading cross-functional and culturally diverse teams across multiple locations
- In-depth technical knowledge of performance fabrics, membranes, insulation, trims, finishes, and relevant industry testing standards
- Demonstrated success in managing material innovations from concept through to commercial production
- Proven experience in supplier management and hands-on collaboration with textile mills, particularly in Asia
- Strong understanding of sustainable materials, chemical compliance, and relevant environmental certifications
- Professional fluency in English; additional German or Mandarin language skills are an advantage
- Willingness to travel internationally on a regular basis, particularly between Europe and Asia
- Empathetic and clear communication style with the ability to build trust across cultures and time zones
- Strategic mindset combining strong technical expertise with commercial acumen
- Curious, proactive, and solution-oriented approach with a focus on turning concepts into commercially viable products
- Strong stakeholder management skills across Design, Product Development, Sourcing, and senior leadership
- Analytical problem-solving skills and confidence in structured decision-making
- Passion for technical outdoor products and a deep understanding of end-user performance requirements
What you can expect from us:
- An exciting product world and international environment in a responsible, sustainability-driven company
- German and English as our working languages
- 30 days of paid vacation per year
- Flexible and hybrid working models
- Mobile working from abroad for up to 4 weeks per year
- Attractive employee discounts and company benefits
- “Employee Referral” bonus program
- Exclusive perks via Corporate Benefits
- Bike leasing – monthly subsidies for up to two leasing contracts
- EGYM company fitness – access to over 7,000 gyms
- Team events and outdoor sports activities
- A first-name culture and casual dress code
- Free water, coffee, and a variety of teas
Ready for your next adventure?
Then become part of our team! We look forward to receiving your application – exclusively via our online career portal – including your CV and your earliest possible start date.