Company Overview

Perry Ellis International, Inc. represents a diverse portfolio of lifestyle apparel brands. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries owns and licenses nationally and with a brand portfolio of over 40 Brands domestically and internationally recognized brands including: Perry Ellis®, Original Penguin® by Munsingwear®, Laundry by Shelli Segal®, Rafaella®, Cubavera®, Ben Hogan®, Savane®, Grand Slam®, John Henry®, Manhattan®, Axist® and Farah®. The Company enhances its roster of brands by licensing trademarks from third parties, including: Nike® for swimwear, and Callaway®, PGA TOUR®, and Jack Nicklaus® for golf apparel.

Summary

As the Fabric Associate, you will support fabric development, sourcing, and quality assurance processes across our portfolio of brands. You will oversee the maintenance of the centralized fabric library, manage global fabric testing workflows and compliance documentation, and coordinate cross-functional communications between internal design teams, global sourcing offices, and overseas mill partners.

Responsibilities

Fabric Development & Library Management:

* Create, track, and double-check unique fabric reference numbers and callouts across all internal and supplier submissions.

* Monitor and follow up on active weekly developments to maintain project timelines and delivery schedules.

* Curate, filter, and integrate incoming knit and woven fabric swatches into the centralized fabric library.

* Partner proactively with design teams to understand seasonal material needs, aesthetics, and performance specifications.

* Cross-reference internal archives to leverage existing materials before initiating new development items.

Fabric Testing & Quality Compliance:

* Coordinate comprehensive physical and performance testing for knits and wovens with global regional offices, third-party labs (e.g., SGS, Intertek), and mills.

* Manage Test Request Form (TRF) documentation, review pass/fail lab results, and ensure technical compliance.

* Process and reconcile testing invoices with Accounting utilizing ERP systems such as NetSuite.

* Verify test approvals for selected fabrics and upload documentation into the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system.

Cross-Functional Communication & Operations:

* Manage daily email communication with vendors and regional sourcing teams in a timely manner.

* Document verbal discussions and meeting outcomes via written follow-ups to ensure operational alignment.

* Maintain an organized fabric resource room, binder library, and sample archiving system.

* Facilitate timely shipment of sample packages and circulate tracking documentation across global offices.

* Schedule and coordinate vendor, mill, and trim supplier meetings, capturing actionable notes and key takeaways.

Sourcing Workflow & Sample Execution:

* Collaborate with Sourcing leadership to route fabric submissions to appropriate regional offices and overseas partners.

* Prepare and mount fabric swatches and cuttings, accurately labeling required brand, season, and design specifications.

* Participate in regular design handoff meetings to align on brand aesthetics, material performance, and seasonal targets.

Qualifications

* Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design, Apparel Production, Fashion Merchandising, or a related field.

* 1–3 years of hands-on experience in fabric coordination, textile development, or apparel sourcing.

* Working knowledge of knit and woven fabric constructions, textile physical properties, and laboratory testing standards (e.g., SGS, Intertek).

* Experience utilizing PLM software and ERP platforms (e.g., NetSuite) for documentation, tracking, and invoice processing.

* Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office applications (particularly Excel/Sheets).

* Exceptional organizational skills with rigorous attention to detail in library management, labeling, and record-keeping.

* Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of liaising clearly with global sourcing hubs, vendors, and cross-functional teams.