OTB Group Fabrics Manager
- Location
- ParisÎle-de-FranceFrance
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Mid-Level
- Department
- Merchandising, Buying & Planning
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Sep 7, 2026
About OTB Group
OTB Group, a renowned conglomerate in the luxury fashion industry, is celebrated for its innovative and avant-garde approach to fashion. Home to iconic brands such as Marni, the group is dedicated to fostering creativity and individuality in its workforce, providing a dynamic and inclusive environment for its employees.
Maison Margiela, Paris – Fabrics Manager. Lead fabric sourcing, supplier relations, and material development for luxury haute couture collections.
Role & Responsibilities
- Research and select high-end fabrics, leathers, and innovative materials from premium mills, weavers, and suppliers across France, Italy, and international textile markets
- Develop exclusive fabrics in collaboration with suppliers, including custom finishes, jacquards, embroideries, and special treatments
- Attend key industry trade fairs (Première Vision, Milano Unica, Munich Fabric Start) to scout new materials and emerging trends
- Work closely with the Creative Director and design team to translate creative vision into technically sound and commercially feasible material choices
- Present fabric samples and proposals during all phases of collection development and refinement
- Define and monitor fabric quality standards (strength, hand feel, drape, colorfastness) aligned with House standards and specifications
- Manage strategic relationships with historic suppliers and mills, negotiating commercial terms, minimum order quantities (MOQ), and lead times
- Oversee laboratory testing and technical certifications including fiber composition analysis, color fastness testing, and REACH/CSRD regulatory compliance
- Manage fabric purchasing budgets per collection, optimizing costs without compromising quality or brand standards
- Plan procurement aligned with the collection calendar (haute couture, ready-to-wear, accessories) and production timelines
- Coordinate with production and warehouse teams to ensure material availability within industrial planning requirements
- Lead, train, and develop junior team members and manage seasonal intern recruitment and supervision
- Establish internal processes, priorities, and sample management systems including fabric library cataloging and supplier database maintenance
Qualifications
- Degree in Textile Engineering, Fashion Design, Textile Merchandising, or related discipline (e.g., IFM, ESMOD, Politecnico di Milano textile department)
- Minimum 5–7 years of professional experience in fabric sourcing and/or textile development roles
- Proven experience within a luxury Maison, haute couture house, or premium ready-to-wear environment
- Extensive network of contacts with high-end mills, weavers, and premium textile suppliers
- Deep knowledge of raw materials, weaving techniques, textile finishes, and specialized treatments
- Solid understanding of fiber composition regulations, labeling requirements, and compliance frameworks (REACH, CSRD)
- Proficiency with PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) tools and sample management software systems
- Strong aesthetic and creative sensibility with demonstrated ability to engage effectively with creative teams
- Excellent negotiation skills and proven international supplier relationship management capability
- Demonstrated leadership, organizational ability, and budget management proficiency
- Meticulous attention to detail, precision, and rigor consistent with luxury sector standards
- Fluent Italian and English (written and spoken)
- French language proficiency highly valued
Skills
Experience
Minimum 5–7 years of professional experience in fabric sourcing, textile development, or materials management within luxury fashion, haute couture, or premium ready-to-wear contexts. Demonstrated proficiency in building and maintaining high-level supplier networks across Europe and internationally. Proven track record of developing exclusive fabrics and managing complex supplier relationships in alignment with creative vision and production requirements.
Education
Degree in Textile Engineering, Fashion Design, Textile Merchandising, or a closely related discipline. Graduates from prestigious institutions such as IFM (Institut Français de la Mode), ESMOD International, or the textile department of Politecnico di Milano are particularly valued.
Workplace
This position is based in Paris, Île-de-France, France.
Culture
Marni, as part of the OTB Group, champions creativity through diversity, fostering an inclusive atmosphere where unique talents and perspectives are celebrated and encouraged to flourish.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like OTB Group, 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 Manager», «Textile Sourcing Manager», «Fabric Development Specialist», «Materials Sourcing Specialist», «Fabric & Textile Manager», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.