Head of Footwear Materials

Role Overview

Join a forward-thinking brand focused on developing a future-ready portfolio of footwear materials. This position is crucial in leading the synthesis of performance, durability, and responsible innovation in our products, ensuring they meet the highest standards expected in today’s market.

Your Mission

• Leadership and Strategy:
  • Craft and implement a strategic vision for footwear materials, ensuring alignment with overall brand objectives.
  • Inspire and lead a team of materials specialists, promoting a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
  • Collaborate across various departments, including design, development, and sustainability, to integrate materials effectively in our footwear products.
• Material Development and Innovation:
  • Stay updated on material science and industry trends to identify and create innovative materials.
  • Conduct research with external partners to discover new material opportunities.
  • Oversee the entire development cycle of materials from concept to commercialization, ensuring all milestones are achieved.
• Supplier Management and Collaboration:
  • Develop strong relationships with material suppliers to ensure a dependable supply chain.
  • Work with suppliers to foster innovation and achieve performance goals.
  • Regularly evaluate supplier performance in partnership with material sourcing leadership.
• Quality Assurance and Testing:
  • Implement stringent testing and quality control protocols to ensure compliance with industry standards.
  • Collaborate with quality assurance teams to address and rectify material issues.
  • Stay informed about regulations related to footwear materials to guide sustainability initiatives.
• Sustainability and Circular Economy:
  • Identify eco-friendly materials and waste reduction processes to drive sustainability initiatives.
  • Collaborate with sustainability teams to track and report on our sustainability performance.
  • Engage with industry groups to contribute to broader sustainability efforts.

Your Story

• 10+ years of experience in footwear material development and supply chain management, particularly in the sports sector.
• In-depth knowledge of sporting and lifestyle footwear materials and their manufacturing processes.
• Proven ability to deliver strategic change in dynamic organizations.
• Strong leadership skills to inspire cross-functional teams and foster collaboration.
• Adaptability to thrive in fast-paced, evolving environments.
• Hands-on approach with a readiness to travel as necessary.
• A passion for sustainable practices and innovative material solutions.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills to build robust relationships with stakeholders.
• Proficiency in project management, ensuring timely delivery on material development projects.
• A genuine enthusiasm for sports, with a keen eye on market trends and functional performance.

Meet the Team

The Footwear Materials team forms the backbone of our product offerings. This dedicated group delves into exploration, engineering, and validation of material types that enhance performance for diverse athletes. Our process balances curiosity with precision—researching and testing innovations to bring the finest solutions to market.