Altra Product Engineer Manager, Footwear
VF Corporation
- Denver, CO
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Develops seasonal innovation products with the Asia team that meet or exceed predetermined gross margin targets and communicates the specifications and engineering best practices for cross category expansion to the Sourcing organization, Denver team, and Altra Suppliers.
- Owns the tech review approval processes (CFM sample and Extreme Sizes) which includes fittings, dynamic wear testing, checking of all standards to ensure they are within tolerances and that materials/constructions match BOM specs.
- Will lead the wear testing program from 1st prototype to Buy Ready in collaboration with the development team. This includes tester selection, survey creation, soliciting feedback, evaluating results and proving recommendations for improvements.
- Owns fittings of pullovers and prototypes at every stage to ensure the fit is true to size and to provide feedback to development on adjustments needed. Part of this will be utilizing our Aetrex foot scanner and recruitment of a fit model per foot shape. This will also include educating the fit testers (workshops/trainings).
- Collaborates with product, operations, planning and sourcing leadership to build out the product creation calendar.
- Manages tooling best practices and reviews from the US side and will collaborate with the VFA development tooling teams.
- Will own and lead last revisions and new last development as needs are identified by the product team.
- Responsible for implementing a Top of Production review process and communication to VFA development team and factories of critical processes.
- Responsible for executing the ECN – Engineering Change Notification process in collaboration with key stakeholders.
- Manages the development of key seasonal innovations and company product lines as assigned.
- Plans and tracks the development of products, new compounds and technologies, and innovative ideas to ensure a timely completion following the predetermined product development calendar.
- Able to create short- and long-term strategies for midsole and outsole compounds. (Initial testing thru to seasonal product implementation).
- Ensures both the technical superiority and the product quality/integrity of all products falling under their responsibilities.
- Works with Asia Development & Sourcing, Product Management, Design, Development, GIC, GMS, suppliers, and factory groups to establish technical engineering Best Practices for our various product types, technologies, lasts, fit, foams and compounds, and other technical aspects of our products.
- Creates the specifications for the products, publishes, and maintains all records, style files, and samples associated with the product and related programs.
- Ensures both the technical superiority and the product quality/integrity of all products falling under their responsibilities.
- Will manage and mentor a junior developer educating them on the knowledge and expertise of technical footwear engineering.
- Professional Experience: 5+ years of experience in Footwear Product Development/Design/Innovation in a medium or large size company, preferably in performance athletic footwear.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Footwear/Textile Design, Biomechanical/Industrial/ or Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing or Certification in Footwear Design, construction, and/or patternmaking; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Lead the development of new materials, construction techniques, and processes, to create innovative and technically superior products each season in conjunction with the timelines of the Company’s business strategies.
- Able to lead meetings and implement new plans and policies with optional supervision.
- Self-starter with the ability to independently manage moderate to highly complex product projects while adhering to the product creation calendar.
- Strong and proactive problem solving and decision-making skills.
- Effective communication skills, both written and verbal with domestic and international cross functional teams.
- Detail oriented with a strong work ethic, project management, organizational and teamwork skills.
- Demonstrates outstanding interpersonal skills, including the ability to create trust and build partnerships with cross functional teams.
- Demonstrates a complete understanding of the product creation process.
- Demonstrates an advanced knowledge and expertise of development including an understanding of fit, pattern engineering, tooling processes, mold and upper construction and manufacturing processes.
- Ability to interpret results and apply wear and fit test feedback from the Altra athlete teams and 3rd party testing labs to drive product improvement.
- Proficient in reading technical blueprint designs.
- Leads and manages special/long-term projects as they arise in collaboration with the Innovation team.
- Advanced competency in Adobe Illustrator, Product Management/Development systems (FLEX PLM & Basecamp) and Microsoft Office program suite.
- Irregular working hours should be expected during peak periods when deadlines are present.
- Required international (China: 2-3x per calendar year) and domestic travel (2-3x per calendar year) as required to achieve a high level of product development, including visits to manufacturing countries / factories, and off-site material trade shows.