Material Developer I Footwear

Job description

As our Footwear Material Developer, you'll assist in the creation of materials/trims for your key category that are appropriate for price, end use, physical properties, source and aesthetic. You'll assist the team in all aspects of, development, tracking and timely commercialization. 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 development projects to ensure commercialization within stated timelines.

Example of types of activities:
• Collaborate with category Material Designer in seasonal category creative direction decisions and meetings. Enable creative objectives through operational activities including vendor validation and material article validation. Drive and enable new material development.
• Provide technical assistance to category product creation teams (primarily Development, Design, and Product Management) as it relates to the application of footwear upper materials
• Assist categories with application of materials. Provide a perspective across multiple material types (leather, synthetics, and textiles) with an understanding of colorfastness, bonding, abrasion and other performance related mechanical material issues.
• Collaborate with Material Ops Managers and Raw Materials Sourcing to manage capacity on key volume and / or innovation materials
• Create and manage category material palettes
• Serve as primary category contact for material suppliers as it relates to category specific issues (price, technical specs, performance)
• Create and maintain material development tools
• Collaborate, with Material Developers across other categories

Desired profile

·  Bachelor's degree in Apparel, Textiles or a related field
·  Minimum 2 years relevant work experience
·  2 additional years' experience in lieu of a degree
·  Strong understanding of textile formation, yarn, fiber, dying, printing and finishing
·  Knowledge of material types knits, woven' s & non woven' s
·  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
·  Understanding of the product creation process
·  Understanding of manufacturing realities and constraints preferred
·  Ability to interpret design intent and offer alternative solutions preferred
·  Experience with vendor negotiation, materials or related development projects is preferred
·  Lab testing and global material experience is a plus
·  Ability to travel up to 15% of the time