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'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 for Lifestyle Footwear, you will transform footwear concepts 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 to our long-term vision. In this pivotal role, you will spearhead groundbreaking developments and lead a team of Specialists in building the future of footwear materials. Your collaboration with the Head of Materials will ensure synergy with the Design, Development, and Product Management teams.
Your Mission
- Material Mastery: Source impressive materials that inspire product creation. Ensure materials are developed in alignment with our timelines, sourcing policies, and sustainability goals, focusing on performance and elevating our products with cutting-edge technology.
- Team Leadership and Collaboration: Guide and nurture Footwear Material Specialists through collaboration, trust, and mentorship to foster growth and excellence, building our talent 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: Utilize data analytics to improve material selection and supply chain processes. Continuously evaluate and optimize our workflows to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance material quality and sustainability.
- Innovation and Research: Stay ahead by researching business trends, attending trade shows, and scouting new technologies to seamlessly integrate innovative ideas into product development.
- Material Library Management: Develop and enhance our material library and tools while ensuring strategic partnerships with key suppliers. Maintain agility in managing both inline and special project toolboxes with a forward-thinking approach to the digital future of material management.
- Quality Assurance and Improvement: Ensure all materials meet our stringent QA tests. Utilize your expertise in yarns, material structures, and polymers to drive material improvements. Consistently share feedback between T2 suppliers and our Quality team to refine our testing protocol.
- Relationship Building: Cultivate strong, communicative relationships with material suppliers and external vendors. Collaborate with various teams, including Design, Product Development, Innovation, and Sustainability, aligning 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: A minimum of 7 years of global experience in Performance Footwear material development, with essential involvement in Asia supplier/factory interactions.
- 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, along 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: A strong background in managing projects from creative inception to production, showcasing your ability to turn visions into reality.
- Design and Technology Affinity: A deep appreciation for footwear design and technology, especially in the technical performance category.
- Detail Orientation and Presentation Skills: Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to build, organize, and present effective strategies.
- Communication and Collaboration: Superior communication skills (in both verbal and written English) that enhance your collaborative efforts with diverse stakeholders.
- Creativity and Discipline Balance: A unique ability to blend creativity with organization and discipline, thriving in a fast-paced environment.
- Adaptability and Entrepreneurial Spirit: The ability to navigate change effectively and approach unexpected challenges with an entrepreneurial mindset.
What We Offer
We provide a dynamic, challenging, and sports-oriented environment recognized as one of the fastest-growing sports companies of our time. Our international team continuously innovates as we collectively build something incredible. We foster an active atmosphere where every individual strives for excellence and can achieve their full potential.
This is where your work matters, 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. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.