Materials & Product Integrity Specialist

Job DescriptionAbout Kendra Scott  We are a fashion-lifestyle brand of big dreams, colorful confidence, and inspired design. Founded on Family, Fashion and Philanthropy, we believe that our employees and customers are the heart and soul of our brand, and that giving back is the truest form of success. Fashion meets innovation in the design of our two state-of-the-art facilities based in the heart of Austin, Texas, and overflows into the design of our growing retail environment across the country.  Position Overview:Reporting to the Senior Manager, Materials & Product Integrity, the Materials & Product Integrity Specialist supports material development, sourcing, testing, and product quality activities. Working independently within established processes, this role reviews assigned material and product submissions against defined requirements, maintains accurate PLM and approval documentation, and supports the investigation of reported quality concerns.The Specialist partners with Design, Product Development, Merchandising, Production, overseas suppliers, and agents to communicate priorities, track deliverables, and identify and escalate risks. The role supports materials and products that meet design intent, cost, timing, brand, and quality requirements while coordinating assigned operational workflows, including material sample orders, supplier quotes, invoices, shipments, and the maintenance of physical and digital material libraries.Responsibilities:Material Development:Support seasonal material sourcing and development within established design, cost, quality, and timing requirements. Communicate feedback to suppliers and cross-functional partners, escalating feasibility or execution risks as needed.Review assigned material and product submissions for color, appearance, construction, consistency, quality, and alignment with approved specifications and design intent.Maintain accurate material records in PLM, including material setup, specifications, size associations, supplier quotes, testing documentation, and approval status.Communicate clear, actionable feedback and development priorities to suppliers, agents, and cross-functional partners through email, PLM, and scheduled meetings. Track open questions, sample revisions, and required follow-up to support timely decisions and maintain development timelines.Coordinate requests for material specifications, size capabilities, testing documentation, and other information required to evaluate and approve materials.Partner with the Senior Manager, Materials & Product Integrity, to create and distribute material and product-quality knowledge resources for cross-functional teams.Sample Operations:Coordinate material sample orders and supplier quotes in PLM and issue corresponding handoff notifications to suppliers.Prepare and coordinate shipments of samples and materials to external and overseas partners.Review, approve, and track supplier invoices, partnering with accounting to support timely payment and following up with suppliers on outstanding submissions.Maintain organized physical and digital libraries for catalogues, material samples, and approved production range standards.Calendar and Project Management:Track material sample ship dates against the Product Development calendar, communicate priorities to suppliers, and proactively identify solutions or escalate delays that may affect material or range approvals.Manage the timely receipt of supplier quotes, gemstone identification reports, and material-content testing documentation to support development milestones.Product Quality and Testing:Review assigned materials and products against established KS brand and quality standards, documenting discrepancies and escalating concerns outside established requirements.Coordinate required testing for assigned products throughout development and production. Review test reports for completeness and alignment with established requirements, escalating failures, discrepancies, or missing documentation.Coordinate wear testing, track results, and communicate findings to the Senior Manager, Materials & Product Integrity, and relevant cross-functional partners.Document and track quality concerns received from Retail, Customer Service, the Distribution Center, and cross-functional partners. Identify recurring trends and support the preparation of high-level updates for leadership.Support root-cause investigations, corrective-action tracking, and product inspections at retail locations, the Distribution Center, and the Home Office, maintaining accurate documentation through resolution.Cross-Functional Partnership and Supplier Relationships:Build effective working relationships with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Production, suppliers, and agents.Provide clear, constructive feedback to suppliers and agents. Track supplier performance, including lead times, on-time delivery, successes, and improvement opportunities, to support quarterly partnership scorecards.Support new supplier onboarding by coordinating established requirements, documentation, and cross-functional communication.Our Ideal Candidate Will Have:Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in Product Development, Design, Business, Fashion Merchandising, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, or related field. One to three years of experience in material sourcing, product development, technical design, quality assurance, product integrity, or a related function.Working knowledge of gemstones, jewelry materials, manufacturing methods, and product-development processes, with an interest in continuing to build technical expertise. Detail-oriented and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment.Ability to work independently on defined assignments, exercise sound judgment within established processes, and escalate issues outside known parameters.Experience working with domestic and overseas suppliers.Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate clear, actionable information to suppliers and cross-functional partners.Proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat. Experience with PLM or another product-data management system is preferred; familiarity with Photoshop or Illustrator is a plus.Ability to build effective cross-functional relationships and work collaboratively across teams.A growth mindset, intellectual curiosity, and a desire to learn, embrace new ideas, and contribute to continuous improvement.A shared appreciation for Kendra Scott’s core values of Family, Fashion, and Philanthropy.We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.  DivisionHome Office LocationCorporate Office Employees Position TypeFull Time Zip Code78756CityAustinStateTexas Workplace TypeOn-site Organizational LevelIC2- Specialist/Analyst : PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT