We’re Pentland Brands; a dynamic, global family business, and proud owners and licensees of many iconic active and footwear brands. With a community of over 1,300 team members worldwide, we embrace diversity and inclusion, and champion growth and development. Our success is built on teamwork, courage, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

WHAT’S THE MISSION FOR THIS ROLE?

The Materials Manager is responsible for exploring and developing new-to-business or new-to-category material innovations to achieve our goal of creating the best products across our brands. You will be the businesses’ internal expert on hard goods materials (e.g. swim goggles, swim caps, headwear, sporting goods, etc.).

WHAT DOES THIS ROLE DO?

As our Materials Manager you will be responsible for:

• Identifying, developing and delivering first-to-brand, first-to-category and first-to-industry material innovations in hard goods products:
  • Continually investigating and identifying new material innovation opportunities from within and outside our industries.
  • Communicating opportunities to our brands in alignment with their long-term innovation needs and priorities (e.g. sustainable materials, enhanced performance, etc.).
  • Project managing all new hard goods material developments from ideation through research and new product development.
• Working with the Head of Innovation Materials to develop and deliver new material innovations in soft goods products as required.
• Partnering with key business stakeholders to ensure all new material developments comply with Pentland’s standards of quality and responsibility and ensuring they are deliverable at commercial scale.
• Helping to build and shape a culture of innovation in the business by engaging, educating and upskilling stakeholders, leveraging successful experience from past roles to input into the strategy of how to connect with and inspire the business around innovation.

WHAT DO I BRING TO THE ROLE?

To stand out in this role, you should have the following skills and experience:

• Passionate about research and new product development.
• A pro-active self-starter.
• Excellent knowledge of hard goods raw materials, their properties, testing methods, as well as hard goods product manufacturing methods.
• Able to modify and create new polymers and raw materials for new end uses.
• Commercially orientated with strong project management skills.
• A working knowledge of textile materials and manufacturing methods is desirable, but not essential.

We want you to live our company principles, bringing a strong consumer focus, while always looking for ways to improve and grow in your role. Take ownership of your work and be proactive in solving problems whilst communicating openly and treating everyone with respect and kindness. And, of course, let your creativity shine by bringing your unique style and individuality to the Pentland Brands Team.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

• Competitive Salary + discretionary bonus
• 25 Days Holiday: Increases with length of service and the option to purchase additional days to suit your needs.
• Discounts: Brand discounts (including friends and family and JD Sparts), Sample Sales, and other retail discounts and perks.
• Family-Friendly Benefits: Generous enhanced parental leave policies
• Health Perks: Choose from a variety of health-related perks including medical cash plan, critical illness cover, life assurance, gym and fitness discounts, dental insurance, eye care, and health screening to maintain your wellbeing.
• Travel Perks: Take advantage of our season ticket loan, cycle to work schemes, electric car schemes, and discounts on home charging units to support eco-friendly commuting.
• Flexible Working: We offer hybrid working and flexible working hours, allowing you to start your day earlier or later to help with commute costs or personal commitments.
• Chance to join our Charity, D&I and Sustainability employee networks.

As an equal opportunity employer, we’re committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive culture across our business, stores, and office environment.

We warmly welcome your application.