Shruti Gujar

Sr Manager, Fabric R&D · ATHLETA INC

Hayward, CA

In My Own Words

I am driven, relentless, and a continuous learner. Proven skillsets in commercializing sustainable and technical materials for purpose-led brands. Ability in strong mill partnerships across geographies in leading textiles/soft goods developments and bulk ram ups. I have unique experience in working in both 'Asia region sourcing and development' as well as 'Brand HQ R&D' because of which I very well recognize the intersection of design, manufacturing, and sustainability. Experienced in supplier validation, process & quality management, costing, and negotiations. Hands-on experience and education in Textiles starting from polymer extrusion, Natural & Synthetic fibers & yarns (including Recycled & Organic), weaving & knitting techniques, and dyeing & final finishing. Passionate about topics such as Manufacturing and Social Compliance.

Work Experience

Sr Manager, Fabric R&D

ATHLETA INC

2022 – Present

Drive & manage all fabric research and development phases, with an emphasis on performance outerwear materials, Woven fabrics including JQ's. Identifying fabric opportunities based on Brand product strategy and developing fabrics within performance, sustainability, beauty & cost filters. Proven ability in strong mill partnerships across geographies with Tier2 & Tier3 vendors for fabric sourcing, development, pricing, & bulk readiness. Team development coach on tools like Mill Matrix, and PLM, and leading the developments with mills directly. Key User of presentation tool Miro. Partnering with Product Design, Merchandizing, Product developers, Marketing, and the Quality team at various milestones to ensure their objectives are met in terms of design requirements, pricing G/B/B targets, product knowledge & associated risk mitigations. Lead complex developments, and quality risk assessment by making detailed testing & spec comparisons thereby level-setting quality, performance & usage expectations with the product teams and the mills.

Material Researcher II, Material Research Team, Apparel Manufacturing WORLD HEADQUARTERS, USA

Columbia Sportswear

2019 – 2022

Internally transferred from India Liaison Office to World Headquarters on the merits of outstanding performance. Lead Material Researcher for Apparel, Accessories & equipment across the Product Categories of Outerwear, Performance Fishing, Hunting, Hiking & outdoor. Closely worked with Product Design, Merchandising, Sourcing teams, Quality, and International Liaison office partners within IN, BD, KR & TW Lead in executing new finishes with global factories like Moisture management, Durable water repellants, Coatings, Laminates Anti-microbial, Stain release, Cooling & Sun protection. Strong experience with Knit & Woven constructions, dye techniques & sourcing processes. Building & presenting seasonal material palettes & ideation along with the Design leads to the management, thereby laying the foundation for garments that perform & inspire consumers. Active role in Tool Kit fabrics Evaluation & managing toolkit library. Key user of various material development tracking and management systems like PLM, and Power BI.

Material Developer II, Material Research Team

Columbia Sportswear

2017 – 2019

Drove supplier strategy and seasonal development allocations based on the criticality of new development, pricing tier, innovation capabilities & capacity. Identified fabric execution challenges & worked with cross-functional teams on Risk assessments using FMEA. Ensuring Material Buy readiness before salesman sample order release. Closely coordinated with cross-functional teams like Design, Development, Quality, Costing, Digitization & Merchandising at Liaison Office & Global Headquarters. Developing woven Cottons & blends (including Organic), Synthetics (Including Recycled), Stretch Woven, Insulation Materials Master in Supplier Onboarding & training the Vendor team on Columbia's Global Standards & Requirements.

Production Leader Components

DECATHLON SPORTS INDIA

2014 – 2017

Lead Development of Active Wear Woven fabrics with required technical characteristics & ensuring their successful implementation at Mill. Mastered in functional Finishes like PU Coating, MM, WR & Sublimation Prints on woven fabrics. Developed a functional understanding of Softline material testing methods & standards according to different end uses. Supplier Management; Implementing SOPs, Inline & Final quality control (Softline Testing, Toxicology testing, Inspections, Color), Preparing for audits. Proved Skills in Costing, Preparing Cost Breakdown, Negotiations on Pricing, Capacity Booking, Lead Time, Stock management with suppliers, Freezing seasonal prices with suppliers in line with seasonal targets, Raw Material Procurement, and Production Planning. Has short experience in Sourcing Synthetic Yarn Suppliers (Spun & Textured) in India.