Jean Paul Gaultier Sourcing and Materials Development Manager

Location
Employment Temporary
Seniority Manager
Department Merchandising, Buying & Planning
Industry Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
Posted Apr 12, 2026
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Jean Paul Gaultier in Paris seeks a Sourcing and Materials Development Manager (temporary) to lead fabric sourcing, supplier development and material innovation.

Overview

Jean Paul Gaultier is an iconic French fashion house renowned for its avant‑garde couture and ready‑to‑wear collections. The maison is recognized for creative risk‑taking, strong artisanal craftsmanship and a distinctive aesthetic that blends theatricality with technical expertise, making Paris its creative and operational hub.

Role & Responsibilities

  • Define and execute the sourcing strategy for fabrics, trims and components across collections in close collaboration with design and product teams.
  • Identify, qualify and manage a global supplier base, ensuring on‑time delivery, quality standards and competitive commercial terms.
  • Develop new materials and textile innovations, translating creative briefs into technical specifications and sample approvals.
  • Negotiate costs, MOQs and lead times while optimising total landed cost and margin impact.
  • Coordinate the materials sampling process and maintain the materials library, including spec sheets, lab dip approvals and test certifications.
  • Ensure compliance with product safety, environmental and social standards; support supplier audits and corrective action plans.
  • Monitor project timelines and material budgets; escalate risks and implement mitigation plans to meet collection deadlines.
  • Collaborate with merchandising, production and quality teams to ensure material readiness for production and seasonal ramp‑ups.

Qualifications

  • Proven experience in materials sourcing or purchasing within fashion (apparel, textiles or accessories); typically 5+ years with progressive responsibility.
  • Demonstrable expertise in textile construction and materials (wovens, knits, prints, trims) and ability to read technical specifications.
  • Strong negotiation skills with experience managing international suppliers and commercial terms.
  • Familiarity with material testing standards, lab dip and sample approval processes.
  • Excellent cross‑functional communication skills; capacity to translate creative intent into technical requirements.
  • Fluent business French expected for Paris‑based role; professional English for international liaison preferred.

Skills

Material sourcing Supplier development Cost negotiation Technical specification writing Sample process management Material testing and compliance Project and timeline management Cross‑functional collaboration

Experience

Typical candidate will have at least five years' experience in materials sourcing or procurement within the fashion or textiles sector, with a track record of supplier development, cost negotiation and cross‑border sourcing.

Education

Degree or professional training in textiles, fashion design, materials science or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.

Workplace

This position is based in Paris, Île-de-France, France.

Culture

Jean Paul Gaultier fosters a creative, atelier‑driven environment where innovation and craftsmanship are prized. Teams operate in a fast‑paced, collaborative Parisian setting that balances artistic ambition with technical precision and international supply‑chain realities.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A.

The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Jean Paul Gaultier, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Materials Development Manager», «Sourcing Development Manager», «Head of Materials Sourcing», «Materials & Procurement Development Lead», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.