Lead - Footwear Materials

Position Overview

This role involves the strategic execution of a global performance materials framework, emphasizing material technology in alignment with the overarching company vision. Responsibilities include overseeing material creation, advanced development, and technical implementation, while fostering collaboration among various functions to meet performance, sustainability, and high-performance product objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Define, develop, and lead the creation and strategic sourcing of technical, high-performance materials in accordance with design briefs, product roadmaps, timelines, sourcing policies, and sustainability requirements.
• Establish and manage material availability standards, sourcing policies, and quality assurance processes, supporting target prices and adherence to program timelines across the supply chain.
• Lead material development workstreams within assigned projects, coordinating across multiple product seasons to ensure alignment with program objectives.
• Drive and report on material-specific targets in line with the company sustainability roadmap, ensuring compliance and supporting continuous improvement.
• Create and maintain material and component specifications, color applications, and related documentation using industry-standard tools, supporting best practices within the team.
• Manage the material lifecycle, ensuring all materials are thoroughly tested, approved, and continuously improved.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with T2 material suppliers and T1 factory teams to enhance material development, quality, and process improvements.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the material library and tools utilized across product creation teams.
• Support the implementation of next-generation material performance initiatives and align them with sustainability targets as outlined in the company roadmap.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams across various regions to guarantee the alignment and successful execution of material initiatives.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Footwear Textile Sciences, Textile Engineering/Technology, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in performance footwear material development, preferably with Asia-based suppliers and factories.
• Extensive global travel experience related to material suppliers and factories.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional material development projects from concept to production.
• Strong affinity for footwear design and technology, with in-depth knowledge of performance materials and industry trends.
• Proven record of driving innovation in performance materials and managing multiple seasons of product development.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with capabilities in structured presentations and long-term planning.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders and possess excellent communication abilities.
• Able to balance creativity with organizational skills in a dynamic environment.
• Proven adaptability in navigating significant change with a solution-oriented mindset.

Team Dynamics

The Footwear Materials team is responsible for advancing the company’s sustainability strategy for footwear materials. Focused on research and material strategies, the team actively supports projects aimed at incorporating more sustainable materials, products, and processes. Collaboration with cross-functional partners is essential to integrate material sustainability priorities into the footwear creation process.