Director of Material Sourcing and R&D - Beyond Yoga

About the Company Headquartered in Los Angeles, Beyond Yoga is a premium active lifestyle brand founded in 2005. The company is female‑founded, LA‑born, and focused on body positivity. Beyond Yoga creates clothing from luxuriously soft fabrics for a wide range of workouts and activities. The brand has over 1,218 wholesale accounts across the U.S. and international markets and continues to expand its brick‑and‑mortar footprint nationwide. It offers signature Spacedye fabric and lifestyle essentials such as outerwear, lifestyle pants, fleece, and more. In September 2021, Beyond Yoga joined Levi Strauss & Co. (LSCo), gaining access to global capabilities while maintaining its core values. About the Job As the Lead Materials and Sustainability Strategist, you will design and implement the end‑to‑end strategy for fabrics and trims aligned to the long‑range plan, multi‑year product vision, and seasonal priorities. You will define the raw material sourcing strategy, foster innovation with key mill partners, onboard new suppliers, and ensure materials meet brand aesthetics, performance, quality, and end‑use requirements at scale. You will oversee the development of a comprehensive material portfolio and library that spans in‑line materials, pipeline innovation, and future‑forward concepts, grounded in testing and performance data. Your deep understanding of brand and consumer insight will guide material direction and support cross‑functional collaboration with Merchandising, Design, Product Development, and Sourcing. Responsibilities Lead strategy and sustainable development of fabrics and trims, integrating LSCo corporate sustainability goals. Define and operationalize the raw material sourcing strategy and drive innovation with mill partners. Ensure materials are market‑ready, meeting brand aesthetics, performance, quality, and end‑use requirements at scale. Develop and evolve a comprehensive material portfolio and library. Translate consumer insight into material direction and anticipate shifts in demand. Collaborate cross‑functionally with Merchandising, Design, Product Development, and Sourcing, providing senior‑level technical leadership to supplier partners. Own the color approval process, overseeing lab dips, strike‑offs, knit‑downs, and handloom approvals. Work with Materials Production to ensure smooth execution from sampling through bulk and mitigate risk across the material and garment lifecycle. Lead sustainability testing, performance certifications, and ensure sustainable manufacturing practices are embedded in materials. Manage sample yardage status, including cotton traceability and pattern copyright protocols with mills/factories. Provide detailed and accurate information on fabrications, colours, and costing. Demonstrate understanding of costing impacts on product development and material briefs. Meet innovation goals, global sourcing strategies, cost, quality, safety, and sustainability requirements during product development. Qualifications 10+ years of experience in Material R&D and product development, with in‑depth knowledge of R&D, textile technology, development, sourcing, testing, and material quality requirements. Advanced education in Textile Technology and understanding of performance and technical materials within a Performance/Active brand space. Solid fabric construction knowledge across specialized areas (woven, knit, yarn, trim) and clear understanding of dyeing, printing, and finishing techniques. Experience influencing and leading change management within teams and across partners and leadership. Ability to set schedules, meet seasonal product development deadlines, and track milestone deliveries. Strong awareness of industry trends, competitor products, and customer preferences to drive product improvement. Process improvement expertise and customer service orientation. Excellent communication skills with senior‑level directors. Hybrid work schedule – 3 days per week in office, typically Tuesday to Thursday, with flexibility as needed. Senior decision‑making authority and accountability for material and sustainability strategy at Beyond Yoga. Benefits & Compensation Salary range: $160,000 – $212,000 per year. Total rewards package includes base pay, incentive plans, 401(k) matching, paid leave, health insurance, and product discounts. Hybrid work arrangement based at Culver City, CA headquarters. Employees may be required to work in office 3 days per week (Tuesday‑Thursday) with some flexibility. LSCo is an affirmative action and equal employment opportunity employer. We welcome and value individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. #J-18808-Ljbffr Levi Strauss & Co.