Join Our Dynamic Sportswear Brand and Shape the Future of Performance Footwear
Are you ready to be a part of a team that is redefining footwear materials in an industry ripe for innovation? We are seeking a passionate Materials Leader to lead our Inline Materials Team.
As our Materials Lead for PAD (Lifestyle) Footwear, you'll be turning footwear dreams into reality by pushing the boundaries of materials to new heights. You'll set and accomplish short-to-medium-term goals while aligning your work with our long-term vision. In this pivotal role, you'll spearhead groundbreaking developments and lead a team of specialists in shaping the future of footwear materials. You will collaborate closely with the Head of Materials and ensure synergy with the Design, Development, and Product Management teams.
Your Mission
- Material Mastery: Source exceptional materials that inspire product creation, ensuring alignment with our timelines, sourcing policies, and sustainability goals, with a specific focus on performance technology and innovation.
- Team Leadership and Collaboration: Guide and nurture the Footwear Material Specialists through trust and mentorship to foster growth and excellence, while building our talent pipeline for the future.
- Sustainability and Performance Goals: Align material-specific targets with our sustainability roadmap, identifying opportunities to enhance material performance, sustainability, and efficiency across all product categories.
- Data Analytics and Process Optimization: Utilize data analytics to improve material selection and supply chain processes, continuously evaluate workflows to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve material quality and sustainability.
- Innovation and Research: Stay ahead by researching business trends, attending trade shows, and scouting new technologies, seamlessly integrating innovative ideas into product developments.
- Material Library Management: Develop our material library and tools, ensuring strategic partnerships with key suppliers and maintaining agility in handling both inline and special project toolboxes.
- Quality Assurance and Improvement: Ensure all materials meet our stringent QA tests, using your expertise in yarns, structures, and polymers to advise on material improvements, while consistently sharing feedback to refine our testing protocols.
- Relationship Building: Cultivate communicative relationships with material suppliers and external vendors, working collaboratively across various teams to align material goals with overall product objectives.
Your Story
- Educational Foundations: A Bachelor’s Degree (minimum) in Footwear Textile Sciences, Textile Engineering/Technology, or a related field from a globally recognized university.
- Professional/Industry Experience: At least 7 years of global experience in Performance Footwear material development, including essential supplier involvement.
- Team Leadership: Proven track record of at least 3 years in leading and mentoring teams.
- Driving Innovation: Demonstrated ability to lead innovation through performance materials with strategic thinking and execution capabilities.
- Global Perspective: Extensive global travel experience to T1s, material suppliers, and external partners for sourcing and development.
- Project Management Excellence: Background in managing projects from creative inception to production.
- Design and Technology Affinity: Deep appreciation for footwear design and technology in the technical performance category.
- Detail Orientation and Presentation Skills: Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to build, organize, and present effective strategies.
- Communication and Collaboration: Superior communication skills enhance collaborative efforts with diverse stakeholders.
- Creativity and Discipline Balance: Ability to blend creativity with organization in a fast-paced environment.
- Adaptability and Entrepreneurial Spirit: Navigate change effectively while bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to unexpected challenges.
About the Team
We are a small team with big responsibilities. In our Footwear Materials team, we implement and execute the sustainability strategy for the entire company through our footwear materials, helping shape the future of the organization. We conduct research, create strategies, implement projects, and innovate products and processes focused on sustainable materials and footwear. One of the main objectives of the team is to drive strategic material sustainability priorities into reality in collaboration with other departments, ensuring consistent and effective communication and education around these topics. As the Senior Lead, you will play a crucial role in leading the team and fostering effective collaboration across our global footwear creation team.
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.