Key Skills

Job Description

Be part of a movement that moves the world At ASICS, we're more than just a brand; we're a movement. A movement of movement, propelled by the belief that motion strengthens the body and uplifts the mind. Our name itself, an acronym for "Anima Sana in Corpore Sano" (a Sound Mind in a Sound Body), encapsulates this commitment. Since taking our first step in Japan in 1949, our journey has been about more than just reaching the finish lines or clocking the fastest times. It's about the joy of moving and it's open to all. Here at ASICS, we welcome diversity in our people, their backgrounds and life experiences. So, you could be the right person for this role regardless of your age, nationality, religious beliefs, or gender identification. Your role in our shared journey Located at our EMEA headquarters in Hoofddorp, near Amsterdam, you will join us on a nine-month fixed-term employment contract starting in early November 2026. You will sit within the tier development team for running and tennis, a group of around eight people, reporting to the Head of Design, Apparel. This is the seat that owns the fabric. Every material going into a running or tennis garment is developed, tested, approved and chased by you, globally, across all seasons. Your first month is spent working alongside the current specialist, picking up the live fabric projects and meeting the mills, laboratories and testing partners first hand. After that the work is yours to run. You will hold the supplier and testing relationships directly and make the calls without waiting for sign-off, which is how this role has always worked. At a larger brand, a materials specialist usually covers a single fabric type. Here you will own every fabric category across two sports. The team is close-knit and open, and with ASICS EMEA growing at pace, there is plenty in motion to get your hands on. Your Key Responsibilities Will Be End-to-End Materials Development: Own global materials development for running and tennis apparel, across all seasons and every fabric category. Take materials from initial brief through to bulk approval, working directly with mills to get them right. Design and Product Partnership: Work with the design teams who request the fabrics, turning what they want into something a mill can actually make, on time and to cost. Supplier and Mill Management: Hold direct relationships with tier 2 to 4 suppliers. Chase missed dates, resolve failed tests, and keep the partnership strong while doing it. Testing and Compliance: Manage all fabric testing through independent laboratories and our athlete testing programme. Make sure every material meets the applicable standards and that the evidence exists to prove it. Seasonal Calendar and Project Delivery: Run several dozen concurrent multi-stage fabric developments against the seasonal calendar, each with its own milestones and its own deadline. Handover and Continuity: Absorb a detailed handover in your first month, then keep the calendar, the supplier relationships and the testing pipeline in good order throughout the contract. Essential You have the following skills: A textile engineering background, including 10 years of hands-on industry experience, deep industry experience in performance sports carries real weight with us. Strong fibre science knowledge, covering physical and chemical properties and the manufacturing processes behind them - potentially through university studies or experience. A working understanding of the tier 1 to 4 supply chain, with direct experience managing mills and suppliers and specific examples you can talk us through. Solid grounding in textile testing standards and compliance requirements, including what has to be met and how it gets evidenced. Exceptional organisation and project management. Every fabric is a multi-stage project with its own timeline, and many run at the same time. Comfortable working independently with a high degree of ownership, and detail-focused enough to catch the small thing that would otherwise undo a full fabric development. Nice To Have Experience in running or tennis product specifically, alongside broader apparel experience. Established relationships with mills and material suppliers. Exposure to athlete testing or wear-testing programmes. Availability to start in early November 2026 or latest December 2026, so you get the full handover. Please note: this role is based at our Hoofddorp office and requires the right to work in the Netherlands. We are not able to offer visa sponsorship or relocation support for this fixed term contract. Life at ASICS When you join ASICS, you become part of something special. Here, your voice matters, your growth and wellbeing are important. We believe in fostering an environment where every step forward is celebrated, where diversity fuels our journey, and inclusion strengthens individuals. And together and as individuals, we can inspire more people to move for body and for mind. Our commitment to your wellbeing Benefits We're dedicated to ensuring that every team member experiences the joy and benefits of movement. To support your wellbeing, we offer: Access to office gym and sports membership discount. Exclusive discount on ASICS gear. Unlimited access to the Calm app for better sleep and mental fitness. Complimentary premium subscription to our Runkeeper Go™ app. A comprehensive wellness programme consisting of exercise and educational sessions. Professional support and meditation classes are available through OpenUp Access. Working abroad for four weeks every year. Hybrid working model, in-office days for 50% of the time. How To Apply Are you feeling inspired? We'd love to hear from you. Submit your application online and step into a role where you can truly make a difference. Let's move together, step by step, toward an uplifted world. #ASICShiring #ASICScareers

Core Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end global materials development for running and tennis apparel, managing the process from initial brief to bulk approval. Coordinate directly with mills, laboratories, and design teams to ensure fabric quality, compliance, and timely delivery.

Requirements

Requires a textile engineering background with over 10 years of industry experience and deep knowledge of fibre science and supply chain management. Candidates must have a strong grounding in textile testing standards and the right to work in the Netherlands.

Benefits

• Office Gym Access
• Sports Membership Discount
• Exclusive Discount On Asics Gear
• Unlimited Access To Calm App
• Complimentary Premium Subscription To Runkeeper Go App
• Wellness Programme
• Professional Support And Meditation Classes Through Openup Access
• Working Abroad For Four Weeks Per Year
• Hybrid Working Model