Join Our Dynamic Sportswear Brand and Shape the Future of Performance Footwear
Are you ready to be part of a team that's revolutionizing footwear materials in an industry ripe for innovation? We’re seeking a passionate Materials Leader to guide our Inline Materials Team.
As our Materials Lead PAD (Lifestyle) Footwear, you will turn footwear dreams into reality by pushing the boundaries of materials. You will set and accomplish short-to-medium-term goals while aligning your work with our long-term vision. You’ll be at the forefront, executing our global materials strategy across various verticals, including Performance All Day, Special Projects, and Collaborations. In this pivotal role, you will spearhead groundbreaking developments and lead a team of Specialists in building the future of footwear materials. Collaboration with the Head of Materials will be essential as you maintain synergy with our Design, Development, and Product Management teams.
Your Mission
- Material Mastery: Source exceptional materials that inspire product creation, ensuring alignment with timelines, sourcing policies, and sustainability goals. Focus on enhancing performance and elevating our products through technology and innovation.
- Team Leadership and Collaboration: Guide and mentor the Footwear Material Specialists to foster growth and excellence, building a robust talent pipeline for the future.
- Sustainability and Performance Goals: Align material-specific targets with our sustainability roadmap, identifying opportunities to enhance material performance and efficiency across all product categories.
- Data Analytics and Process Optimization: Utilize data analytics to improve material selection and supply chain processes, continuously evaluating workflows to enhance efficiency and quality.
- Innovation and Research: Stay ahead by researching industry trends, attending trade shows, and scouting new technologies, seamlessly integrating new ideas into product innovations.
- Material Library Management: Develop and enhance our material library, ensuring strategic partnerships with key suppliers and managing both inline and special project toolboxes effectively.
- Quality Assurance and Improvement: Ensure all materials meet our strict QA standards, leveraging your expertise in yarns and polymers to advise on and drive material improvements.
- Relationship Building: Cultivate strong relationships with material suppliers and external vendors while collaborating across various teams to align material and product goals.
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 critical involvement with Asia suppliers and factories.
- Team Leadership: A proven track record of at least 3 years leading and mentoring teams.
- Driving Innovation: Demonstrated ability to lead performance materials innovation with strategic thinking and execution capabilities, with a comprehensive understanding of industry best practices and process collaboration.
- Global Perspective: Extensive travel experience to T1s, material suppliers, and external partners for sourcing and development.
- Project Management Excellence: A strong background in managing projects from conception to production.
- Design and Technology Affinity: A deep appreciation for footwear design and technology within the technical performance category, with a keen eye for aesthetics and industry trends.
- Detail Orientation and Presentation Skills: Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to organize and present strategies effectively.
- Communication and Collaboration: Superior communication skills (both verbal and written in English) to facilitate collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
- Creativity and Discipline Balance: A unique ability to blend creativity with discipline, thriving in a fast-paced environment.
- Adaptability and Entrepreneurial Spirit: An aptitude for navigating change effectively and an entrepreneurial mindset for tackling unexpected challenges.
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
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, shaping the organization's future. We conduct research, create strategies, implement projects, and innovate products and processes through the lens of sustainable materials and footwear. Our primary objective is to drive strategic material sustainability priorities into reality, collaborating across departments to ensure effective communication and education on these critical topics. As the Senior Lead, you will play an important role in influencing the current team and fostering efficient collaboration within our global footwear creation team.