Footwear Developer II, Innovation

Your Job:

The Footwear Innovation Developer II utilizes advanced, technical product and process knowledge to work with a cross-functional product creation team to drive execution of innovation projects through all phases of the Phase Gate process. Hands-on experience and strong knowledge of the total footwear manufacturing process is required for your success in this role. You will collaborate on a daily basis with other Footwear Innovation team members to identify new technologies, explore new designs, and implement new manufacturing processes that will help us create footwear that runners will love, with the lowest environmental impact possible. Your role on the project team is part technical expert and part project leader. You will be an important part of the Footwear Innovation process, including sample material acquisition, prototype building and validation, factory collaboration, and contributing to process improvement. This role will act as a positive driving force in the innovation process and impacts business results by discovering new potential in footwear performance and manufacturing driven by our long-term innovation strategy. In this role you will continue to learn from more senior members of the Footwear Innovation team to hone your technical footwear expertise.

Your Responsibilities:

• Execute the innovation product development role by delivering on Brooks’ Fit, Feel, Ride, and Crafted Beauty principles as related to specific projects via an unwavering dedication always to deliver excellence.
• Provide leadership to Design and Product Line Management teams to uncover new ways that innovative materials and designs can be manufacturable and meet project goals and performance, sustainability, cost, and quality objectives.
• Be responsible for product performance integrity by working with Product Validation teams to determine testing needs/criteria, understand results, and make decisions based on learnings.
• Partner with vendors and factories in the manufacturing process to discover and advance new manufacturing techniques that enhance the overall performance of product.
• Partner with Sustainability teams to ensure materials and manufacturing processes meet and exceed brand goals.
• Identify, recommend, and specify to the project team the material, component, and construction options to meet pricing targets and the product’s functional goals, as well as ensure product performance integrity through product testing (physical and field testing).
• Responsible for Asia Development team members being aware of technical details, development challenges, and engaged in finding solutions.
• Connect with legal teams to initiate Intellectual Property reviews and create contracts with new partners.
• Own sample management for assigned projects, including receipt and distribution of all samples, sample checking, and communicating updates to all teammates.
• Create and maintain technical packages and Bills of Materials (BOM’s) for assigned projects.
• Ensure product quality by collaborating with Engineering and Quality Assessment teams at all stages of the creation process.
• Critique, adjust, and evaluate technical blueprints (outsole/ midsole/ upper), upper patterns, and materials from a performance, manufacturing, and functional perspective.
• Participate in development trips, 3 - 4 per year, to work with manufacturers and suppliers on existing and current development projects.
• Create and build a knowledge base and stay informed about vendor capabilities and performance, factory relationships, quality issues, materials pricing, and lead times.
• Own project management role for multiple Blueline, Athlete, and Advanced Development projects from Brief Phase through Design, Development, and delivery to In-line or Commercialization teams.
• Lead team execution of innovation projects from Briefing through Tech Transfer.
• Plan and execute projects according to project critical dates that lead to on-time delivery of project goals.
• Effectively communicate with Factory and Asia Development teams to share product expectations and product details that lead to on-time delivery of samples.
• Lead and ensure good communication between core innovation team members, subject matter experts, external partners, and leadership.
• Initiate and lead meetings with project teams during various phases of development to review, evaluate, update and ultimately drive the decision-making process that leads to on-time project delivery and cost goals.
• Understand when to bring in additional support to continue to drive product decisions forward.
• Utilize your knowledge of the product creation and manufacturing processes to identify new ideas that will enhance product performance.
• Keep abreast of market trends, new technologies, and consumer needs to ensure that products incorporate the functional needs of our consumers’ demand.
• Partner with more senior members of the team to support their projects as needed and mentor more junior team members.
• Continuous learning of Brooks Fit, Feel & Ride manufacturing best practices.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomechanics, Engineering, Kinesiology, or related technical field; equivalent combination of education and years of experience can be considered in lieu of degree(s)
• 5+ years of successful experience leading the development of high-performance, technical running footwear projects
• Expertise in technical running footwear product development, process, project management, costing, and manufacturing of product from conception to retail
• 3+ years of experience in innovation of athletic footwear desired
• Must be optimistic that a solution to difficult challenges can be found, with the perseverance to keep investigating options until it is
• Curious and open-minded; always open to a challenge, inventive, and seeking creative solutions; with the ability to challenge the status quo - always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details
• Ability to work in new arenas of footwear development where specific direction and solution path is unclear at the start
• Proven ability to drive a decision in a collaborative, cross-functional group without command/control to meet strategic objectives
• Demonstrated ability to develop productive relationships with individuals and teams that are made up of diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds, resulting in effective working relationships across the company
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate new ideas, concepts, and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders
• Keen attention to detail in planning, organization, and execution of tasks (self and through others), while seeing the big picture with support and understanding how all of the pieces fit together and affect one another
• High level of independent work ethic and ability, with the instinct to know when to reach out for support
• Keen attention to detail in planning, organization, and execution of tasks; willingness to dive into the details to better understand the “why”
• Early ability to anticipate how a decision made can affect our customers, our partners, our products, or other departments’ operations and/or morale; “connecting the dots.”
• Strong computer skills, including experience with Illustrator, Smartsheet, and MS Office software. Flex PLM knowledge is a bonus
• Excellent interpersonal skills that inspire and build trust, resulting in effective working relationships across the company
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed
• Passionate participation in Brooks’ sports activities a plus, overridden by the ability to understand and empathize with the runner in order to develop loyal, engaging relationships with our customers and the Brooks community
• Embraces and lives the Brooks values!