Colorist at SanMar in Issaquah, WA

What's the Short Version?

The Colorist position ensures the integrity of color across multiple product categories and comprises a specialized focus over select proprietary collections. The position is responsible for the management of color from development through to finished production, including the communication and integration with resource base, vendor relationship management, color standards, performance monitoring, and actioning initiatives to continually improve the consistency of color of SanMar products. This position reports to the Product Color Manager and involves partnering with Product Quality Assurance, Product Development/Sourcing, and Merchandising teams, as well as with our international supply base.

What Will You Be Doing?

• Manage color submissions; visually and electronically (spectrophotometer) from multiple suppliers and across different product categories efficiently and with precision.
• Make critical pass/fail decisions independently having a direct impact on products.
• Facilitate, manage and collaborate with internal and external business partners to identify and implement efficiencies to the color approval process, including vendor submittals, electronic color communication and enhancing vendor knowledge of SanMar product.
• Responsible for developing cohesive partnerships with Product Development/Sourcing and Merchandising to guide them to timely delivery of product execution while maintaining color consistency.
• Manage vendor relationships to enhance their capabilities to meet color quality expectations, adherence to process, and meet delivery timelines.
• Create/maintain/update color tracking records and communicate statistical data both internally/externally.
• Define, implement, and maintain standardized procedures for color management for SanMar and suppliers.
• Maintain physical and virtual lab dips and color standard library, including set-up, maintenance, and distribution of color standards to our suppliers.
• Plan, organize, and execute on-site color on-boarding training program for suppliers and subsequently develop, manage and follow-up on a continuous improvement plan to ensure color consistency.
• Visit with suppliers (overseas travel) when needed for vendor development/training, process refinements, etc.
• Provide color training to associates as and when required.
• Additional projects as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and standards.

What Are We Looking For?

• Bachelor's Degree related field - Textiles, Clothing, Merchandising
• 2+ years of experience in product development, merchandising, textiles, international vendor management
• Experience with textile coloration techniques/limitations of dyeing and finishing
• Experience in color management is preferred
• Experience with the use of spectrophotometer and supporting color software
• Color proficient to superior level (Munsell Hue color test will be administered)
• Experience/knowledge of textiles, apparel, and/or accessory product via Product Development, Sourcing, Testing, Merchandising, and/or other related activities
• Ability to communicate clearly using color terminology both written and verbal
• Ability to build relationships effectively with cross-functional and international teams
• Be an active participant and encourage a positive and supportive attitude in a team environment
• Flexible and able to accept and embrace change with positive attitude
• Multi-tasking; must be able to prioritize and work under limited supervision
• Organized and detailed orientated
• Strong decision-making capabilities

What's Our Offer?

Salary Range: You`ll earn between $80,170 - $115,000 annually, depending on experience.

Bonus: You`ll be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus up to 10% of base salary.

Paid Time Off: You`ll accrue paid time off on a bi-weekly basis based on hours worked up to 112 hours per year to start. Employees also receive 8 paid holidays and 1 paid family day off.

Additional Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401k plan and matches $1 for $1 up to 4% of earnings, matched & vested at every pay cycle
• Life insurance
• Short/long-term disability coverage
• Paid maternity/paternity leave
• Pet insurance

What Should You Expect?

Hybrid: SanMar's Eastpointe office is located in Issaquah, WA in the Seattle metropolitan area. Employees are required to work in our offices Tuesday through Thursday each week and additional days may be added based on business needs. Our standard working hours are 8:00-5:00 PST. Periodic travel may be required. The employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods while working on a computer and participating in virtual and in-person meetings. Frequent use of hands for keyboarding and standard office equipment is required. Occasional standing, walking, and reaching may be needed to attend meetings or collaborate in an office setting. The role requires the ability to perform close visual work on a computer for extended periods. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10–15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.