MISSION/ROLE:
The Materials Developer-Sport/Performance is responsible for exploring, developing, and implementing new materials and material concepts in support of sport and performance footwear products. This role partners closely with design, product development, and global supply chain teams to identify, test, and scale materials that meet design intent, performance, and physical/chemical requirements. This role will focus on materials in both inline seasonal product offerings as well as material innovations upstream of the seasonal product creation process.
This role will support material storytelling that will elevate product performance, durability, comfort, and brand differentiation. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in textiles, synthetics, foams, and performance laminates and has experience managing development from concept through pre-production.
CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Lead the research, development, and commercialization of raw materials for athletic footwear that supports Cole Haan’s brand positioning and product performance
- Partner with the design, product development and merchandising teams to establish seasonal materials direction
- Identify and evaluate new textiles, engineered meshes, synthetics, knits, coatings, films, and emerging material innovations to deliver extraordinary products with the appropriate aesthetics, functionality, quality and price
- Proactively explore new materials, constructions, finishes, and technologies relevant to sport and performance footwear
- Research global material trends, supplier innovations, and emerging technologies across textiles, synthetics, knits, coatings, foams, and components
- Collaborate with the Director of Product Development to create and manage material development timelines to align with the GTM critical dates and product creation calendar
- Liaise with product development, merchandising, and overseas materials teams to ensure margins, market needs and end-uses are met.
- Communicate with overseas materials team and vendor partners to obtain prices, lead-times and minimums
- Create and organize seasonal swatches, materials specs and testing data, maintaining them throughout the product creation milestones, from concept through road lots
- Attend local material fairs to source new seasonal materials
- Problem solve potential high-risk materials as it pertains to price, usage and/or quality prior to road lots
- Manage material sampling, testing and approvals to assure quality craftsmanship, details, and execution in line with Cole Haan's quality positioning
- Provide support to Costing and PLM teams
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree in related field preferred
- 5+ years prior experience in materials sourcing and development in performance footwear such as running, basketball or training
- Strong knowledge and understanding of textiles, synthetics, knits, laminates/films and components materials required
- Strong understanding of footwear development and manufacturing processes strongly preferred
- Experience in working and communicating with Asia based offices, mills and component suppliers
- Demonstrated communication skills
- Highly organized
- High level of curiosity with a passion for material exploration and experimentation
- Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
- Collaborative and team player
- Microsoft Word & Microsoft Excel experience required
- Adobe Illustrator and PLM experience a plus
