Advanced TS&D Professional II

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations. Discover more about Milliken’s curious minds and inspired solutions at Milliken.com and on Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn .

POSITION TITLE

Technical Service & Development Professional – Apparel

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Asia Technical Services Manager leads technical issue resolution for Polartec apparel customers across Asia. The role quickly identifies, diagnoses, and resolves customer problems. It also turns recurring issues and field insights into product improvements, stronger quality controls, reduced risk, and successful commercialization. This position advises customers on product selection, quality concerns, launches, and post-launch performance. It also educates customers and garment manufacturers on product capabilities, limitations, care, handling, and recommended uses. By combining customer-facing technical service with expertise in garment development, testing, manufacturing, and root-cause analysis, the role delivers practical solutions that protect product performance, strengthen customer confidence, and support revenue retention and growth

This role will report to the Director of Product Management (USA).

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

- Serve as the primary technical partner in Asia for customer issue resolution.

- Work with Sales, Product Management, Quality, Manufacturing, strategic customers, and garment manufacturers to diagnose problems, define corrective actions, support adoption, and strengthen customer confidence.

- Deliver customer training and technical presentations on product performance, benefits, limitations, features, specifications, recommended uses, care, and fabric handling during cutting and sewing.

- Advise customers on fabric selection, garment compatibility, end-use suitability, and performance optimization.

- Partner with the Quality team to prevent or resolve field, quality, and commercialization issues. Visit brands and key garment manufacturers to explain fabric features and handling best practices.

- Serve as the primary regional technical contact for customer quality complaints.

- Conduct on-site assessments, including cutting-room and garment-manufacturing observations, videos, fabric sample collection, and required documentation. Review findings with regional Quality Control to support timely claim decisions and identify process improvements.

- Lead or support root-cause investigations, testing reviews, corrective and preventive actions, and resolution plans. Balance customer expectations with product capabilities, quality standards, manufacturing constraints, and business impact. Coordinate with Sales, Quality, Product Development, Product Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, commercial teams, and manufacturing partners to deliver customer-ready solutions.

- Build relationships with testing institutes and certification organizations across Asia to improve understanding of Polartec products, test methods, and evaluation criteria. Work with customers, fabric and garment manufacturers, and third-party laboratories to create mutually accepted assessment tools for subjective tests such as pilling and shedding. Promote consistent grading by using agreed-upon fabric samples or other practical standards.

- Support customer projects, trials, wear tests, sample evaluations, garment modifications, upgrades, launches, and commercialization from design concept through adoption. Ensure technical work removes barriers to sales conversion and product use.

- For denied quality claims, recommend whether a second review or business accommodation is appropriate. Gather supporting information on customer history, product volume, price, margin, and the claim, and propose a resolution. Communicate the Director’s decision to Market Quality for proper crediting.

- Collect and consolidate customer feedback, field observations, product-performance data, claim trends, and market insights to identify recurring issues and improvement opportunities.

- Turn field insights into recommendations for product upgrades, quality improvements, risk reduction, technical education, innovation projects, and regional growth. Share findings with Product Management, Quality Control, Sales, and Product Development for potential use in future products and offer improvements.

Strengthen customer relationships through responsive technical service, proactive communication, disciplined follow-through, and a strong understanding of regional needs.

QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

- Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Textile Science, Apparel Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Polymer Science, or a related technical field.

- Eight or more years of experience in textile technical service, quality, manufacturing, product development, fabric development, or a related technical role.

- Strong knowledge of textile manufacturing, fabric formation, dyeing and finishing, quality systems, textile testing, and garment production.

- Experience conducting root-cause analysis and leading corrective and preventive actions for fabric or garment issues.

- Ability to analyze technical and performance data, assess product and application risks, and clearly communicate findings, recommendations, and next steps.

- Strong customer relationship, presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder-management skills across technical, commercial, and manufacturing audiences.

- Fluent written and spoken English. Must be able to present technical concepts, lead customer discussions, prepare technical reports, and collaborate with global cross-functional teams.

- Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, customers, and stakeholders in a fast-paced regional environment and drive issues to resolution.

- Ability and willingness to travel extensively throughout Asia, approximately 40%–50%.

- Ability to converse with people at all levels of an organization, and work with cross-functional teams.

QUALIFICATIONS – PREFERRED

- Experience with performance textiles, outdoor apparel, sportswear, uniforms, protective workwear, or other technical fabrics.

- Familiarity with international and regional textile testing and certification standards, including AATCC, ISO, ASTM, and GB methods.

- Experience working directly with garment manufacturers, particularly those producing knit garments.

- Knowledge of knit constructions, fleece technologies, lamination, moisture management, fabric finishes, and performance testing.

Milliken is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.