Senior Lead - Footwear Materials
Join Our Dynamic Sportswear Brand and Shape the Future of Performance Footwear
Are you ready to be part of a team that is 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 for PAD (Lifestyle) Footwear, you'll turn footwear dreams into reality by pushing the boundaries of materials to new heights. You will set and accomplish short- to medium-term goals while aligning your work with our long-term vision. By executing our global materials strategy across various verticals such as Performance All Day, Special Projects, and Collaborations, you'll be at the forefront of groundbreaking developments, leading a team of Specialists to build the future of footwear materials. Collaboration with the Head of Materials and maintaining synergy with Design, Development, and Product Management teams will be key to your success.
Your Mission
- Material Mastery: Source phenomenal materials that inspire product creation while ensuring alignment with timelines, sourcing policies, and sustainability goals. Focus on performance to elevate our products with advanced technology and innovation.
- Team Leadership and Collaboration: Guide and nurture the Footwear Material Specialists through collaboration, trust, and mentorship, fostering growth and excellence while building our people pipeline for the future.
- Sustainability and Performance Goals: Align material-specific targets with our sustainability roadmap. Identify and seize opportunities to enhance material performance, sustainability, and efficiency across all product categories.
- Data Analytics and Process Optimization: Leverage data analytics to enhance material selection and supply chain processes. Continuously evaluate and optimize workflows to increase 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 integrate these new ideas into product innovations.
- Material Library Management: Develop and enhance our material library and tools, ensuring strategic partnerships with key suppliers. Focus on agility in managing both inline and special project toolboxes, while keeping an eye on the digital future of material libraries.
- Quality Assurance and Improvement: Ensure all materials pass our stringent QA tests. Utilize your deep understanding of yarns, material structures, and polymers to advise on and implement material improvements while providing ongoing feedback to refine our testing protocols.
- Relationship Building: Cultivate strong, communicative relationships with material suppliers and external vendors. Collaborate with various teams, including Design, Product Development, Innovation, and Sustainability, 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 involvement with Asia suppliers and factories.
- Team Leadership: A proven track record of at least 3 years in leading and mentoring teams.
- Driving Innovation: A demonstrated ability to lead innovation through performance materials, combined with strategic thinking and execution capabilities.
- Global Perspective: Extensive global travel experience with T1s, material suppliers, and external partners for sourcing and development.
- Project Management Excellence: A strong background in managing projects from creative inception to production, showcasing the ability to turn visions into reality.
- Design and Technology Affinity: A deep appreciation and understanding of footwear design and technology, especially within the technical performance category.
- Detail Orientation and Presentation Skills: Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to build, organize, and present effective strategies and presentations.
- Communication and Collaboration: Superior communication skills (in both verbal and written English) that enhance collaborative efforts with diverse stakeholders.
- Creativity and Discipline Balance: A unique blend of creativity with organization and discipline, thriving in a fast-paced environment.
- Adaptability and Entrepreneurial Spirit: The capability to navigate change effectively and bring an entrepreneurial mindset when facing unexpected challenges.
What We Offer
We offer a dynamic, challenging, and sporting environment that has been recognized as the ‘fastest growing sports company’ of its time. Our international team continuously innovates as we collectively build something incredible. We foster an active environment where each individual strives for excellence and can achieve their full potential. Here, your work matters; you’re hands-on, and your team members are among the very best in their respective fields.
This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of materials in footwear, shaping the future of performance and sustainability. If you are a materials leader with a relentless drive to explore, build, and push boundaries, we invite you to apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.