Head of Innovation, Apparel
Date: 28 Jul 2026
Location: CN
Company: Coats
Job Title: Head of Innovation, Apparel
Location: Shenzhen, China
Coats is a world leader in thread manufacturing and structural components for apparel and footwear, as well as an innovative pioneer in performance materials. These critical solutions are used to create a wide range of products, including ones that provide safety and protection for people, data and the environment.
Trusted by the world's leading companies to deliver crucial, innovative, and sustainable solutions, we provide value-adding products including apparel, footwear and speciality threads.
With a proud heritage dating back more than 250 years and a spirit of evolution to constantly stay ahead of changing market needs, we have operations across 50 countries with a workforce of over 17,000, serving our customers worldwide.
Role Purpose:
The Head of Innovation, Apparel is the senior R&D leader for Coats’ Apparel division, reporting to the MD China and partnering closely with the SVP Innovation on group platform strategy. The role develops and executes the apparel innovation strategy across sewing thread development, greige thread engineering, colour science, dyeing and finishing, alternative bonding solutions, and the Safety apparel adjacency (fabrics, trims, yarns) — translating breakthrough product and process innovations into commercial outcomes for apparel brands and Tier-1 manufacturers.
What you will do:
Apparel Innovation Strategy and Execution
- Develop and execute the Apparel innovation strategy aligned with Coats’ Innovation Ambition and the Apparel division’s commercial goals.
- Build and manage the Apparel innovation portfolio across sewing thread, greige thread engineering, colour science, dyeing and finishing, alternative bonding solutions, and the Safety apparel adjacency (fabrics, trims, yarns)
- Translate breakthrough platform bets into commercial outcomes for apparel brands and Tier-1 manufacturers.
Technology Leadership in Apparel Materials
- Lead R&D across the apparel technical scope — sewing thread development, greige thread engineering, colour science, and dyeing and finishing.
- Drive innovation in alternative bonding solutions for garments — seam tapes, adhesives, weld systems, and other non-stitch construction methods.
- Oversee the lab-to-factory transition of apparel innovations, ensuring industrialisation meets quality, cost, and timing requirements.
Safety Apparel and Adjacency Innovation
- Lead innovation across the Safety apparel adjacency — fabrics, trims, and yarns — driving the $76M+ growth opportunity to 2030 (30% of Apparel Division growth).
- Drive proprietary platform development (e.g., VizLite, FR fabrics, integrated PPE solutions) for safety and workwear OEMs.
- Build integrated bundles combining fabrics, trims, and threads for strategic safety and PPE OEM relationships.
External Ecosystem Engagement and Cross-Segment Partnership
- Build strategic partnerships with apparel brands and Tier-1 manufacturers for customer-back innovation and co-development.
- Cultivate relationships with the India apparel materials ecosystem (Reliance R|Elan, Aditya Birla, Arvind, Welspun, Indorama) and global start-up / academic networks.
- Maintain a structured cross-segment programme with Footwear — joint operating reviews, platform sharing, customer co-development.
Innovation Culture and Team Leadership
- Build and lead a high-performing Apparel innovation team of approximately 25–30 people across the India and China hubs, succeeding the dispersed legacy structure.
- Develop talent pipelines and succession plans for Apparel R&D, with a focus on textile, polymer, and colour-science capability.
- Drive mindset change from incremental improvement to platform-based, customer-back innovation.
Resource Management and Performance Metrics
- Manage the Apparel innovation budget and capital investments across innovation hubs.
- Establish KPIs and stage-gates for the Apparel innovation portfolio, with disciplined kill/scale decisions.
- Report regularly to the SVP Innovation, MD China, and the Apparel division leadership on portfolio progress, pipeline value, and breakthrough delivery.
Who you are
- Minimum 12+ years’ techno-commercial experience in textiles, apparel materials, or premium industrials.
- Track record combining Innovation leadership with Commercial / Sales exposure — P&L ownership or substantial sales / commercial experience alongside innovation.
- Deep technical experience in textile engineering, fibre technology, colour science, dyeing and finishing, or polymer / surface science.
- High energy, self-driven, achievement orientation; comfortable in a fast-paced, customer-back innovation environment.
- Track record of delivering apparel innovations at material revenue scale ($5M+ category-level launches or equivalent commercial impact).
- Influencing Skills: demonstrated capability to drive strategic initiatives across cross-functional and cross-cultural global teams.
- Strategic Thinking: ability to develop platform-based innovation strategies that position Coats Apparel as a customer-back innovator.
- Technical degree in textile, polymer, materials science, or chemistry — PhD preferred; MBA or business education a plus.
What will set you apart
- Experience in Safety apparel / workwear / PPE innovation — fabrics, trims, certified compliance solutions.
- M&A and business integration experience.
- Cross-segment exposure — Footwear materials, or adjacent industries (automotive, packaging, performance materials).
- Entrepreneurial mindset: proactive approach to innovation and adaptability in a rapidly changing apparel landscape.
At Coats Group, we are committed to innovation, excellence, and fostering a diverse and collaborative environment where every team member can thrive. If you are passionate about making an impact in the textile industry and eager to join a global leader with a rich heritage and a forward-thinking approach, we invite you to take the next step in your career with us.
Apply now to be part of our dynamic team and help shape the future of textiles