Fabric Engineering Manager, Cotton Bedding

Job description

**ABOUT QUINCE** Quince is a destination for builders, creators, innovators, and operators who want to come together and challenge the status quo. Our mission is simple: make really high quality essentials for really low prices, fairly and sustainably. We deliver on that mission through a unique manufacturer-to-consumer (M2C) model eliminating the layers of traditional retail that add cost and result in consumers paying more than they need to. We find, build relationships with, and work directly with the manufacturing partners behind some of the world’s finest products. From there, our teams design smart, efficient operational processes and build and deploy proprietary technology, AI, and analytics to help us scale fast. What began with a small assortment of elevated basics has quickly grown into a cross-category brand spanning apparel, accessories, home goods, and more. Today, tens of millions of people across a growing number of countries come – and return – to Quince because they trust us to deliver. **OUR CULTURE** Quince is a culture built for builders by builders. Our way of working starts with a blank sheet of paper. We question conventional thinking, use technology and data to uncover new opportunities, and move quickly to turn ideas into reality. We aren’t interested in replicating how others do retail. We’re building a better way – at a speed and scale unlike anything that’s been done before. - We dream big and chase the hard problems others shy away from. Rejecting long-held assumptions is part of our company's DNA. Where conventional wisdom says you have to choose – soft or durable, speed or rigor, quality or price – we ask why that trade-off has to exist in the first place. - Our pace is fast and the bar is high because our customers expect a lot from us and we refuse to let them down. We believe the best results come from challenging ourselves, learning from one another, and building on each other's strengths. - Here, responsibility is not determined by role, tenure, or seniority. Every team member - no matter their level - has the opportunity to drive our business and shape our trajectory. If you’re someone who likes to imagine new possibilities and build better systems rather than plug-in to outdated ones, Quince is the place for you. ### **Responsibilities** #### Ensuring Premium Luxury Quality (Non-Testing) - Define what "premium luxury" means for Quince bedding: consistent hand-feel, uniform dye penetration, breathable yet durable construction, and natural surface character without excessive processing. - Develop sensory quality standards: hand-feel benchmarks (buttery, crisp, cool, plush, soft), visual tolerances (weave consistency, slub variation, subtle color variation), and smell (clean, fiber-forward, no chemical odor). - Partner with mills to refine finishing processes that enhance perceived value: mercerized cotton that shows natural luster, garment-washed linen for softness, brushed flannel for warmth, and sateen weaves for light-reflective sheen. - Benchmark Quince bedding against heritage luxury brands (e.g., Frette, Sferra, Pratesi, Brooklinen) to ensure equal or better hand-feel and visual quality at a fraction of the cost. - Lead blind hand-feel panels with design, merchandising, and customer focus groups to validate luxury perception before commercialization. #### Material Development & Innovation - Lead development of exclusive bedding materials: long-staple cottons, European linens, bamboo/Tencel blends, washed silk, down and down-alternative fills, wool, and performance finishes (moisture-wicking, anti-microbial, temperature-regulating). - Partner with mills to create seasonal color palettes, surface textures, and hand-feel profiles. - Explore and pilot sustainable alternatives (e.g., organic cotton, recycled fibers, bio-based fills, Tencel Lyocell, hemp blends). - Develop and qualify new constructions: percale for cool crispness, sateen for silky smoothness, jersey for stretch comfort, waffle for texture, and flannel for warmth. #### Cost Engineering & Value Analysis - Drive cost-down initiatives through yield optimization (e.g., optimizing cut layouts for sheets and duvet covers) and construction efficiency. - Analyze cost drivers: fiber origin, yarn spinning method, weave complexity, finishing processes, and waste percentage. - Benchmark against competitor materials to ensure equal or better quality at lower cost. - Evaluate fill power, thread count, and GSM to optimize performance-to-cost ratios. #### Technical Specifications (Non-Testing) - Define material specs: thread count, yarn size, ply, GSM, weave type, finish type, and color standards (Lab values, ΔE tolerance). - Collaborate with design and product development to translate hand-feel and visual expectations into technical briefs for mills. - Maintain a master material library with approved references, grade rules, and usage guidelines for design and production teams. - Develop specifications for down and down-alternative fills: fill power, fill weight, cluster size, and responsible sourcing certifications (RDS, Downpass). ### **Qualifications** #### Required - Degree in Textile Engineering, Material Science, Fashion Merchandising, Supply Chain, or related field. - 10+ years in bedding/textile sourcing, development, or merchandising for home goods, apparel, or related categories. - Deep knowledge of textile manufacturing processes (weaving, knitting, dyeing, finishing), fiber types, and regional quality differences. - Strong cost analysis skills: yield %, waste %, thread count optimization, and landed cost modeling. - Experience working with design, production, and sourcing teams in a fast-paced retail environment. - Demonstrated experience building and maintaining material libraries, including SKU rationalization and article consolidation. #### Preferred - Familiarity with textile certifications (OEKO-TEX, GOTS, GRS, RDS). - Experience with sustainable or alternative bedding materials - Knowledge of fiber traceability systems (farm to finished product). - Familiarity with PLM systems and material database management. - Background in luxury bedding or home textiles (e.g., sheets, duvets, pillows) with an eye for premium aesthetics. **WHY QUINCE?** Joining Quince means being part of a mission-driven team reshaping retail. You will work alongside talented colleagues, tackle meaningful challenges, and contribute to building a more sustainable, accessible future for customers and partners alike. **EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & HIRING INTEGRITY** Quince provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Quince is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete your application or to perform the essential functions of a role at Quince, please let us know by completing [this accommodation form](https://forms.gle/DpJ11jHa1WbqfUWB9). We review all requests individually and will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Quince will conduct background checks in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. *Security Advisory: Beware of Frauds* At Quince, we're dedicated to recruiting top talent who share our drive for innovation. To safeguard candidates, Quince emphasizes legitimate recruitment practices. Initial communication is primarily via official Quince email addresses and LinkedIn; beware of deviations. Personal data and sensitive information will not be solicited during the application phase. Interviews are conducted via phone, in person, or through the approved platforms Google Meets or Zoom—never via messaging apps or other calling services. Offers are merit-based, communicated verbally, and followed up in writing. If personal information is requested to initiate the hiring process, rest assured it will be through secure and protected means.