We inspire purpose-filled living that brings beauty and quality to the modern home. Together, we achieve. Associates across our business drive results, innovate, and inspire. Drawn together by our shared values and passion for our customers and our brands, we deliver home furnishings that are expertly designed, responsibly sourced, and bring timeless style and function to people’s homes. From the day we opened our first store in Chicago in 1962 to the digital innovations that engage millions of customers today, our iconic brand is over 60 years in the making—and our story is still unfolding.

We’re here for it. We think you should be too. We’re looking for a driven professional with an inclusive mindset to join our team as a Fabric Manager, Upholstery.

The Fabric Manager, Upholstery oversees the selection, sourcing, and quality assurance of fabrics used in our upholstery product lines. This associate will collaborate cross functionally with both internal teams and external partners to bring the CBH design vision to life all while staying attuned to global market trends and trade regulations. This associate will have a passion for textiles, deep knowledge of sustainable materials, and strong project management skills to ensure timely delivery and quality standards across all fabric-related processes.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Fabric Sourcing & Procurement:

• Analyze, identify, and implement solutions focused on delivering cost savings while protecting quality and performance by leveraging volume and macroeconomic details through mill negotiations across all CBH upholstery suppliers and mills.
• Identify, evaluate, and source fabrics from domestic and international suppliers, prioritizing sustainable materials that align with CBH ESG initiatives.
• Negotiate fabric costs and expectations to optimize pricing for CBH partners.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with fabric suppliers to ensure reliable delivery and product consistency.
• Stay informed about global commodity trends and the impact of current tariff situations, and other global events applying this knowledge to sourcing strategies and cost management.

• Quality Assurance:

• Evaluate and ensure adherence to fabric testing protocols to meet durability, colorfastness, and performance requirements with a focus on sustainable fibers and eco-friendly processes.
• Partner with Product Compliance on testing status and changes required to meet all upholstery fabric requirements for performance and compliance.
• Collaborate with mills and suppliers to address quality concerns, track corrective actions, and maintain detailed records of fabric performance.

• Product Development Support:

• Work closely with the design, product development, and upholstery teams to select fabrics that enhance product aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability.
• Provide fabric swatches, technical data, and guidance during prototyping and sampling stages.
• Meet with mills/tanneries alongside Design during reviews and selections to understand limitations on yarn capacity, volume, and origin constraints.

• Inventory & Cost Management:

• Partner with mills and suppliers on fabric inventory levels to prevent stockouts and ensure seamless production.
• Implement reporting and partner with Planning to track fabric usage and forecasting future needs for mill production.
• Support optimization of materials range through analysis of total contribution, usage, demand, and mill data to recommend opportunities to discontinue, consolidate, evolve, or introduce new raw materials.
• Partner with Planning for forecasting, working down liability, and identifying trends to support mill capacity and timing.
• Partner with Design and Sourcing on target fabric cost for development, ensuring cost efficiencies without compromising quality.
• Work with mills and suppliers to develop a centralized safety stock location and management system.
• Apply knowledge of global commodity pricing to inform purchasing decisions and mitigate cost fluctuations.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Serve as the primary point of contact between the upholstery team and fabric suppliers, ensuring alignment on timelines and expectations.
• Foster collaboration across design, production, and quality control teams to support smooth product development and launch processes.
• Develop and strengthen supplier, mill, and CBH relationships to leverage safety stock program management, reduce out-of-stocks, and increase speed to market.
• Act as a liaison for internal and external customers, ensuring clear communication and timely resolution of fabric-related issues.

• Trend Research & Innovation:

• Stay informed about industry trends, sustainable materials, and innovative fabric technologies.
• Recommend new fabrics and techniques that align with CBH brand identity and ESG goals.

• Data Management & Reporting:

• • • Build and maintain a comprehensive fabric database and documentation to include testing records, cost, fiber mix, and origin details in support of customs requirements.
    • Implement processes to track and analyze fabric usage across Crate, CB2, and CK upholstery fabrics to provide insights into consumption patterns and supplier costs.
    • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance transparency in fabric sourcing, monitor supplier performance, and identify areas for improvement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Excellent reading and written language skills (English), multicultural awareness and respect, basic arithmetic, interpersonal skills, telephone presence, data entry skills
• Intermediate to advanced understanding of manufacturing processes for assigned categories
• Ability to manage and develop direct reports 
• Ability to manage a timing and action calendar
• Effective email communication with overseas vendors and agents
• Negotiating skills
• Strong financial reporting and quantitative analysis skills
• Ability to be agile and flexible in a changing environment
• Ability to travel overseas as needed

Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design, Fashion Merchandising, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• Minimum 4+ years of experience in fabric management, preferably in furniture or home décor.
• Understanding of yarn up fabric development sustainable fabrics, fibers, and eco-friendly production practices.
• Proven experience negotiating fabric costs and managing supplier relationships.
• Strong understanding of global commodities and current tariff situations, with the ability to navigate these factors in procurement decisions.
• Exceptional project management skills with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work cross-functionally in a collaborative environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Familiarity with ERP systems is a plus.

Minimum Starting Rate: $90,000.00 Annually

Up to: $130,000.00 Annually

Pay ranges will be adjusted upward as needed to comply with applicable state and local law. In addition to your salary, based on your role, associates may be eligible for other compensation including bonuses, sales incentives, and long term incentives.