Join Our Dynamic Sportswear Brand and Shape the Future of Performance Footwear
Are you ready to be part of a team that's redefining footwear materials in an industry ripe for innovation? We’re seeking a passionate Materials Leader to lead our Inline Materials Team.
As our Materials Lead PAD (Lifestyle) Footwear, you will transform footwear dreams into reality. You'll push the boundaries of materials to new heights, setting and accomplishing short-to-medium-term goals while aligning your work with our long-term vision. In this pivotal role, you'll spearhead groundbreaking developments and guide a team of Specialists in building the future of footwear materials. Collaborating closely with the Head of Materials, you will ensure synergy with the Design, Development, and Product Management teams.
Your Mission
- Material Mastery: Source exceptional materials that inspire product creation, ensuring they align with our timelines, sourcing policies, and sustainability goals. Focus on performance to elevate our products to new realms of technology and innovation.
- Team Leadership and Collaboration: Guide the Footwear Material Specialists through mentorship and collaboration to foster growth and excellence while developing 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 enhance material selection and supply chain processes, continuously optimizing our workflows to increase efficiency and improve material quality and sustainability.
- Innovation and Research: Stay ahead by researching business trends, attending trade shows, and scouting new technologies, seamlessly integrating these ideas into product innovations.
- Material Library Management: Develop and enhance our material library and tools, fostering strategic partnerships with key suppliers and focusing on agility in handling lead times.
- Quality Assurance and Improvement: Ensure all materials pass stringent QA tests, leveraging your deep understanding of materials to advise on improvements and refine our testing protocols.
- Relationship Building: Cultivate strong, communicative relationships with material suppliers and external vendors, collaborating effectively with 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 Asia supplier/factory involvement.
- Team Leadership: A proven track record of at least 3 years in leading and mentoring teams.
- Driving Innovation: Exceptional ability to lead innovation through performance materials, with strategic thinking and execution capabilities.
- Global Perspective: Extensive global travel experience for sourcing and development.
- Project Management Excellence: Robust background in managing projects from conception to production.
- Design and Technology Affinity: Deep understanding of footwear design and technology, particularly within the technical performance category.
- Detail Orientation and Presentation Skills: Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to present effective strategies.
- Communication and Collaboration: Superior communication skills in both verbal and written English, enhancing collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
- Creativity and Discipline Balance: A unique ability to blend creativity with organization, thriving in a fast-paced environment.
- Adaptability and Entrepreneurial Spirit: Ability to navigate change and bring an entrepreneurial mindset to unexpected challenges.
About the Team
We are a small team with big responsibilities. Our Footwear Materials team implements the sustainability strategy for the entire company, helping shape the future of our organization. We conduct research, create strategies, implement projects, and innovate products and processes through sustainable materials and footwear.
One of our main objectives is to drive strategic material sustainability priorities into reality in collaboration with other departments, focusing on consistent and effective communication and education. As the Senior Lead, you will play a crucial role in leading the current team and fostering effective collaboration across our global footwear creation team.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.