A flexible material transfer device that is configured to selectively and operatively attach to a charge of composite material to permit transfer of the charge of composite material, the device comprising: a flexible substrate that is configured to selectively and repeatedly transition between a stowed conformation and a deployed conformation that is different from the stowed conformation, wherein the flexible substrate defines: (i) a material contacting surface that is configured to contact the charge of composite material; and (ii) a plurality of retention conduits that is at least partially defined by the material contacting surface, wherein the plurality of retention conduits is configured to have a retention vacuum applied thereto, and further wherein the flexible material transfer device is configured to retain the charge of composite material on the material contacting surface when the charge of composite material contacts the material contacting surface and the retention vacuum is applied to the plurality of retention conduits; and a retention manifold that provides fluid communication between the plurality of retention conduits and a vacuum source to selectively apply the retention vacuum; wherein the flexible substrate is defined by a first wall, a second wall, and a plurality of elongate webs that extend between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the first wall, the second wall, and the plurality of elongate webs define a plurality of elongate channels, and further wherein at least a portion of the retention manifold is defined by at least a retention portion of the plurality of elongate channels. a flexible substrate that is configured to selectively and repeatedly transition between a stowed conformation and a deployed conformation that is different from the stowed conformation, wherein the flexible substrate defines: (i) a material contacting surface that is configured to contact the charge of composite material; and (ii) a plurality of retention conduits that is at least partially defined by the material contacting surface, wherein the plurality of retention conduits is configured to have a retention vacuum applied thereto, and further wherein the flexible material transfer device is configured to retain the charge of composite material on the material contacting surface when the charge of composite material contacts the material contacting surface and the retention vacuum is applied to the plurality of retention conduits; and (i) a material contacting surface that is configured to contact the charge of composite material; and (ii) a plurality of retention conduits that is at least partially defined by the material contacting surface, wherein the plurality of retention conduits is configured to have a retention vacuum applied thereto, and further wherein the flexible material transfer device is configured to retain the charge of composite material on the material contacting surface when the charge of composite material contacts the material contacting surface and the retention vacuum is applied to the plurality of retention conduits; and a retention manifold that provides fluid communication between the plurality of retention conduits and a vacuum source to selectively apply the retention vacuum; wherein the flexible substrate is defined by a first wall, a second wall, and a plurality of elongate webs that extend between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the first wall, the second wall, and the plurality of elongate webs define a plurality of elongate channels, and further wherein at least a portion of the retention manifold is defined by at least a retention portion of the plurality of elongate channels.