Job Overview
As the Lead – Footwear Materials, you will be instrumental in executing the global performance materials strategy while advancing material technology in alignment with the company vision. This role involves overseeing material creation, advanced development, and technical execution, along with cross-functional collaboration to support performance, sustainability, and high-performance product objectives. Reporting to the Footwear Materials Team Lead, you will manage material development projects across multiple seasons and work closely with Design, Development, Product Management, and Sustainability teams. You may also mentor junior specialists based on project requirements and guide cross-functional partners to deliver material solutions from concept to production.
Your Mission
- Define, develop, and lead the creation and strategic sourcing of technical, high-performance materials in accordance with design briefs, product roadmaps, timelines, sourcing policies, and sustainability requirements.
- Establish and manage material availability standards, sourcing policies, and quality assurance processes to support target prices and adherence to timelines across the supply chain.
- Lead material development workstreams within assigned projects, ensuring alignment with program objectives across multiple product seasons.
- Drive and report on material-specific targets in line with the company sustainability roadmap, ensuring compliance and supporting continuous improvement.
- Create and maintain material and component specifications, color applications, and related documentation using Adobe Illustrator and PLM systems, promoting best practices within the team.
- Manage the material lifecycle, ensuring all materials are robustly tested, approved, and continuously improved, leveraging expertise in yarns, material structures, and polymers.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with T2 material suppliers and T1 factory teams to enhance material development, quality, and process improvements.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of the material library and tools utilized across the product creation team, supporting both inline and special projects.
- Support the implementation of next-generation material performance initiatives and the achievement of material-specific sustainability targets, ensuring compliance and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams — Design, Product Development, Product Management, Innovation, Sustainability, and Testing — across regions (EU/NAM/ASIA) to ensure alignment and successful execution of material initiatives.
Your Profile
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in Footwear Textile Sciences, Textile Engineering/Technology, or a related field; Master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
- 8+ years of experience in performance footwear material development, including collaboration with Asia-based suppliers and factories.
- Extensive global travel experience to T2 material suppliers and T1 factories for material creation, development, and sourcing.
- Proven experience managing cross-functional material development projects from concept to production.
- Deep understanding of footwear design and technology in the technical performance category, along with strong knowledge of performance materials, construction methods, and industry trends.
- Demonstrated success in driving innovation in performance materials and managing multiple seasons of product development.
- Strong attention to detail, with the ability to organize and deliver well-structured presentations and long-term planning documents.
- In-depth knowledge of footwear industry processes, able to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams and mentoring colleagues.
- Excellent collaborative skills, with experience engaging diverse stakeholders and possessing strong verbal and written communication and negotiation abilities.
- Able to balance creativity with organization and discipline, thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Proven ability to navigate significant change, applying an entrepreneurial mindset and a solution-oriented approach to complex challenges.
Your Team
The Footwear Materials team is focused on developing and delivering the company’s sustainability strategy for footwear materials. This team conducts research, defines material strategies, and supports projects that promote more sustainable materials, products, and processes. Working closely with cross-functional partners, the team aims to integrate material sustainability priorities into footwear creation, emphasizing effective communication and knowledge sharing. As a Lead, you will support the team’s growth and foster effective collaboration within the global footwear creation organization.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.