Position Overview
We are excited to announce an opportunity for a Senior Lead - Footwear Materials to take charge of one of our footwear categories. This pivotal role is tasked with executing material strategies, leading a talented team, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. The goal is to enhance performance, sustainability, and innovation across various footwear verticals, including Performance All Day, Special Projects, and Collaborations.
Your Responsibilities
- Material Strategy & Development: Lead the sourcing and development of footwear materials that align with performance requirements, development timelines, sourcing policies, and sustainability goals.
- Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and develop Footwear Material Specialists to foster skill growth, collaboration, and long-term team development.
- Sustainability & Performance Alignment: Translate sustainability roadmap targets into actionable material development priorities across product categories.
- Data & Process Optimization: Leverage data to guide material selection and supply chain decisions. Continuously improve workflows to enhance efficiency, manage costs, and elevate material quality and sustainability performance.
- Innovation & Research: Keep abreast of industry trends, supplier innovations, and new technologies, integrating relevant developments into material strategies and product applications.
- Material Library & Tools: Develop and maintain material libraries and tools for inline and special projects, emphasizing supplier partnerships, short lead times, and the digital evolution of material management.
- Quality Management: Ensure materials meet quality standards and testing requirements. Collaborate with suppliers and internal quality teams to refine testing protocols and implement material improvements.
- Stakeholder & Supplier Collaboration: Build and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers, vendors, and internal teams to ensure alignment across Design, Product Development, Innovation, and Sustainability functions.
Your Background
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in Footwear Textile Sciences, Textile Engineering/Technology, or a related field; a Master’s degree or equivalent experience is preferred.
- A minimum of 10 years of experience in performance footwear material development, including direct collaboration with Asia-based suppliers and factories.
- At least 3 years of experience leading and developing teams of specialists.
- Strong understanding of performance materials, industry processes, best practices, and innovation pipelines, with experience overseeing initiatives from concept to production.
- Global experience working with suppliers, T1 factories, and external partners, with a willingness to travel internationally as required.
- Proven ability to manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and timelines.
- Solid knowledge of footwear design, construction, and performance technology, coupled with familiarity with material trends and applications.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to present strategies and align diverse stakeholders effectively.
- Structured, detail-oriented, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate significant change, bringing an entrepreneurial mindset and a solution-oriented approach to complex challenges.
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.