40 years of translating insight into fabric.
From the mill floor to the global director's desk, Scott Efird has spent four decades mastering the intersection of textile engineering, consumer needs, and profitable commercialization.
At a Glance
- 40+ Years ExperienceApparel & Textile Innovation
- LeadershipGlobal Director of Product Innovation, VF Corp
- 3 Published PatentsTextile process & material engineering
- Global NetworkUS, Asia, and European supply chains
The Verbatim Bio
Scott Efird is a seasoned textile and apparel development and innovation expert with over 40 years of experience. As Global Director of Product Innovation for VF Corporation/Dickies (NYSE: VFC), he directed global innovation strategy across US, Asia, and European teams; led fiber and fabric development; partnered with industry-leading technology suppliers; and commercialized new products across Men's, Women's, and Kid's segments.
He set the 3-to-5-year innovation vision and integrated it into the seasonal GTM calendar, and served as Dickies' corporate sustainability liaison. Across his 18 years at Dickies he also served as Global Director of Fabric Development, Raw Material Purchasing, and Technical Development.
Prior to VF/Dickies, Scott spent 20 years at Milliken & Company in roles of increasing responsibility across manufacturing, new product development, quality, and innovation — including 3 published patents.
The Philosophy
"True innovation isn't just a clever idea—it's a clever idea that can be manufactured reliably at scale, meets a genuine consumer need, and drives profitable growth for the brand."
Why Independent Consulting?
After four decades driving innovation from within massive corporate structures, Scott founded Efird Textile Consulting to bring enterprise-grade strategic rigor to a wider range of brands and mills.
Many brands struggle with the gap between design vision and manufacturing reality. They chase seasonal trends instead of building multi-year innovation pipelines. Or they attempt sustainable transitions that collapse under margin pressure.
Scott bridges these gaps. With deep roots in both mill manufacturing (Milliken) and global brand leadership (VF Corp), he speaks the language of the designer, the engineer, the supplier, and the executive board.
The Career Arc
Efird Textile Consulting
Founder & Principal • Present
Translating 40 years of institutional knowledge into actionable strategy for apparel brands, textile mills, and supply chain partners — including chemical, machinery, and raw-material vendors — globally.
VF Corporation / Dickies
Global Director of Product Innovation • 18 Years
Directed global innovation strategy, led fiber/fabric development, and commercialized new products. Built the 3-5 year pipeline and integrated it into the GTM calendar.
Milliken & Company
Manufacturing & Innovation • 20 Years
Mastered the foundational manufacturing processes. Roles spanning new product development, quality control, and process engineering. Published 3 patents.
Ready to accelerate your innovation pipeline?
Let's discuss how we can turn consumer insight into commercialized, profitable, and sustainable textile products for your brand.