Job Description
- Oversee the development-commercialization (Dev-Com) process, ensuring smooth transitions from prototype receipt to initial production and the timely shipment of prototypes, GTM1, GTM2, sales, and production samples.
- Manage the Dev-Com workflow to meet Ready to Buy (RTB) deadlines.
- Drive project development and commercialization in line with critical timelines, cost goals, and margin targets.
- Analyze and resolve potential issues in design tech packages related to construction, materials, fit, wear, or costs.
- Maintain and update accurate Bill of Materials (BOM) for all assigned projects.
- Ensure timely creation, delivery, and approval of all necessary technical documents, such as shell patterns, 2D/3D models, lasts, blueprints, and cost sheets.
- Collaborate with product creation and development teams to evaluate project status, with growing expertise in patterns, molding, materials, pricing, manufacturing, and performance requirements.
- Lead technical and teardown meetings with team members, factories, and QC teams, focusing on patterns, molding, materials, manufacturing, and end-use - performance.
- Diagnose and resolve fit/wear and commercialization challenges, ensuring products are tested and ready for mass production.
- Evaluate and analyze mold cycle times for optimization.
Provide clear and concise communication to stakeholders, including international partners.
- Continuously improve production processes by reviewing and addressing issues from defective returns.
- Travel to factories and suppliers as needed to oversee and support production processes.
- Take a proactive approach to problem-solving by identifying challenges and offering practical solutions to peers.
Drive the dev-com process from prototype package receipt through to initial production, and execute timely shipping of Proto, GTM1, GTM2, Sales and production confirmation samples to ensure a smooth transition from Dev-Com into production.
Execute the Dev-Com process to ensure on time RTB (Ready to Buy)
Execute development and commercialization of projects according to critical timelines and cost/margin targets
Problem-solve design tech packages on receipt for potential construction, material, fit & wear or cost concerns.
Update and maintain correct Bill of Materials (BOM) for all projects.
Facilitate timely creation, delivery and approval of all relevant technical information (shell patterns, 2D's, 3D's, lasts, patterns, blue-prints, cost sheets, etc.)
Review and evaluate project status with the product creation and development teams with growing knowledge of patterns, mold processes, materials, pricing, yield & cost analysis, manufacturing processes and end use performance.
Lead Tech meetings/ Tear down meeting with own team members, factories and QC with focus on patterns, mold processes, materials, manufacturing processes and end use performance.
Execute the diagnosis of fit/wear and commercialization issues and ensure that product offerings are proven and tested for successfully commercialized and mass production.
Execute evaluation of mold cycle times
Give clear & concise communication to relevant stake-holders including overseas partners.
Strive for continuous improvement in production through periodic examination of defective returns.
Travel to factories and suppliers as necessary.
Pro-actively problem-solve by identifying issues and presenting solutions options to peers.
Job Requirements
- 8–10 years of experience in the footwear industry.
- Practical understanding of material applications and their relevance to product functionality.
- Strong knowledge of product construction methods.
- Skilled at managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Capable of navigating a complex global organization while addressing the needs of diverse stakeholders with conflicting deadlines and priorities.
- Proficient in preparing and presenting information, as well as addressing queries from management, clients, and team members.
- Visual communication skills using tools like Illustrator and Photoshop.
- Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
Highly motivated self-starter with a drive for excellence.
- Ability to plan proactively and anticipate the impact of decisions on expected outcomes.
- Developing advanced problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated capability and potential for growth.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and PLM systems.
- In-depth knowledge of leather, materials, lasts, molds, compound development, and foot anatomy.
College degree or relevant work experience
8-10 years experiences in the footwear industry
Working knowledge of material applications for product use
Knowledge of product constructions
Ability to work in a multi-tasked, fast paced environment.
Ability to work in a complex global organization satisfying the needs of all stakeholder. with competing deadlines and priorities.
Ability to effectively prepare and present information and respond to questions from management, clients and other employees of the organization.
Ability to communicate visually with Illustrator & Photoshop.
Good written and verbal skills.
Driven for excellence, a self-starter.
Ability to plan with fore-sight and anticipate impact of expected results.
Expanding problem solving abilities.
Proven ability and potential.
Proficient in basic Microsoft Applications and PLM.
Knowledge of leather, material, last, mold, compound development, foot anatomy.