Footwear Material Palette Developer I

As our Footwear Material Palette Developer, you’ll assist in the creation and management of optimized materials/trims palettes that are appropriate for price, end use, physical properties, source and aesthetic. You’ll assist the team in all aspects of, analysis, development, tracking and communication. This opportunity also involves utilizing textile, product construction and process knowledge to anticipate potential problems, facilitate problem solving, manage project execution and meet deadlines. In addition, you’ll monitor and track material palette projects to ensure delivery within stated timelines.

Example of types of activities:

• Collaborate with Material Procurement and Material Development and assist in material optimization activities, by providing analysis of material use data, technical specifications, and vendor performance.
• Support the physical and virtual communication tools used by the Material Palette Management team.
• Assist in material developments. Enable both the creative and technical objectives through operational activities including material article validation.
• Provide technical assistance to product creation teams (primarily Development, Design, and Product Management) and procurement teams as it relates to the application of footwear upper materials.
• Collaborate with Material Ops Managers and Raw Materials Sourcing to manage capacity on key volume and / or innovation materials.
• Research the manufacturing industry and help create technical briefs detailing ‘best-in-class’ manufacturing techniques, technology and expertise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Textiles, Material Science, Engineering, Manufacturing or equivalent
• Minimum 2 years relevant work experience
• 2 years’ experience may be substituted for a degree
• Strong understanding of textile formation, yarn, fiber, dyeing, printing and finishing
• Knowledge of material types knits, woven’s & non woven’s
• Knowledge of leather manufacture and use is a plus
• Basic working knowledge of MS Office applications
• Able to anticipate needs, solve problems, perform research and analyze results
• Attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple priorities
• Able to negotiate and influence with sensitivity for the creative process
• Able to be assertive, self-motivated and work in a team environment
• Sensitivity to different cultures, customs and business practices
• Footwear, Apparel or similar consumer goods product development process knowledge is strongly preferred
• Lab testing and global material experience is a plus
• Experience with 3rd party/vendor engagement, materials or related development projects is preferred
• Understanding of manufacturing realities and constraints preferred
• Ability to interpret design intent and offer alternative solutions preferred
• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time