Overview Join Our Dynamic Sportswear Brand and Shape the Future of Performance Footwear. We’re seeking a passionate Materials Leader to lead an Inline Materials Team as our Materials Lead PAD (Lifestyle) Footwear, turning footwear dreams into reality by pushing the boundaries of materials and executing our global materials strategy across multiple verticals including Performance All Day, Special Projects and Collaborations. You’ll spearhead groundbreaking developments and lead a team of Specialists, collaborating closely with the Head of Materials and maintaining synergy with the Design, Development, and Product Management teams.
Your Mission Material Mastery: Source phenomenal materials that inspire product creation, ensuring materials are created in alignment with timelines, sourcing policies, and sustainability goals. Specifically focused on performance and elevating products to a new realm of technology and innovation.
Team Leadership and Collaboration: Guide and mentor Footwear Material Specialists through collaboration, trust, and development to foster growth while building our people 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: Leverage data analytics to enhance material selection and supply chain processes; continuously evaluate and optimize workflows to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve material quality and sustainability.
Innovation and Research: Stay ahead by researching industry trends, attending trade shows, and scouting new technologies; seamlessly integrate these ideas into product innovations.
Material Library Management: Develop and enhance the material library and tools, ensuring strategic partnerships with key suppliers; focus on both inline and special project toolboxes with agility in handling short lead times and a view toward the digital future of material libraries and management.
Quality Assurance and Improvement: Ensure all materials pass QA tests; advise on and implement material improvements using deep knowledge of yarns, material structures, and polymers; share feedback between T2 suppliers and the Quality team to refine testing protocols.
Relationship Building: Cultivate strong relationships with material suppliers and external vendors; work with Design, Product Development, Innovation, and Sustainability to align material goals with overall 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 essential Asia supplier/factory involvement.
Team Leadership: Proven track record of at least 3 years in leading and mentoring teams.
Driving Innovation: Proven ability to lead innovation through performance materials, with strategic thinking and execution capabilities; comprehensive understanding of the industry's capabilities, best practices and processes, and ability to work across cultures.
Global Perspective: Extensive global travel experience to T1s, material suppliers, and external partners for sourcing and development.
Project Management Excellence: Robust background in managing projects from creative inception to production, turning visions into reality.
Design and Technology Affinity: Deep appreciation for footwear design and technology, especially in the technical performance category; strong sense of aesthetics and trend awareness.
Detail Orientation and Presentation Skills: Exceptional attention to detail and ability to build, organize, and present effective strategies and presentations.
Communication and Collaboration: Superior communication skills in English, enhancing collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
Creativity and Discipline Balance: Ability to blend creativity with organization and discipline in a fast-paced environment.
Adaptability and Entrepreneurial Spirit: Navigate change effectively and bring an entrepreneurial mindset when facing challenges.
Meet 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 future of the organization. We conduct research, create strategies, implement projects, and innovate products and processes through the lens of sustainable materials and footwear. A key objective is to drive strategic material sustainability priorities into reality in collaboration with other departments, with a focus on consistent and effective communication and education. As the Senior Lead, you will lead and influence the current team and foster effective collaboration across our global footwear creation team.
What We Offer On is a place centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to develop holistically — to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, all aligned with purpose. On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a fair and inclusive work environment where recruitment, advancement, and retention decisions are free of discrimination.
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