I feel that the hiring team does not technically know the details of this role. The role would be majority of the development in knit materials, but are for some reason interviewing many people (other colleagues) with majority of a woven background. Seems odd.
Also, they want a manager level employee, but hiring for an associate position. It really seems like they want the most experienced person, but to pay the least. They advised that this role could potentially turn into a manager position, but if this is the case, why not just make it a manager level role?
Also, they reach out to coworkers behind your back for a reference and advise to not tell them that they had reached out to them. Sketchy.