Who We Are:
At Brooks, we believe a run can change a day, a life, the world. Everyone who works here is a key part of our obsession to make the best running gear on the planet. We want our business — which also happens to be our passion — to be a place where everyone feels welcome and comfortable being themselves. Our company culture defines us, bonds us together, and drives our success. We live this culture daily through our brand values: Runner First, Word is Bond, Champion Heart, There is no “I” in Run, and Keep Moving. This means we always solve for the runner, do what we say we will, give it our all, are generous with our humanity, and find a way to keep moving every day, because joy is kinetic.
Are you ready to help create something extraordinary?
Your Job:
As the Senior Footwear Developer you will lead, manage, and execute the footwear development process, utilizing advanced product and process knowledge. You will work with a cross-functional product creation team from the collection of insights through commercialization to deliver products that exceed consumer expectations. You must have advanced knowledge of the total footwear construction process including; outsole/midsole drawing, pattern engineering, material construction and properties, and costing. Other critical responsibilities of this role include understanding manufacturing capabilities, anticipating issues, problem solving, and timely resolution of any issues. You will be responsible for generating ideas around engineering principles that improve product performance, product value, and communicate them across the product teams.
Job Responsibilities:
- Own leading execution of all NU & NT & Predevelopment Projects including leading projects from creation to final confirmation with T1
- Partner with and advise Design and Development to ensure that designs are manufacturable and meet cost and quality objective of the organization.
- Lead and initiate meetings with product teams during various phases of development to review, evaluate, update and ultimately drive the decision-making process that leads to on time production confirmation and margin goals.
- Recommend and specify to product teams the material, component, and construction options to meet pricing targets and products functional goas as well as assure product performance integrity through product testing.
- Own and lead all decisions on fit, feel and ride – support more junior developers as needed through cross functional meetings.
- Critique, adjust and evaluate technical blueprints, upper patterns and materials from a performance, manufacturing, and functional perspective.
- Lead cost breakdown analysis of products with assistance from costing team
- Lead in collaboration with Research, Design, Development, Marketing, Costing and Color to show sample materials that meet the criteria for the category based on material performance data.
- Identify opportunities to streamline or improve current operations and create, implement, and communicate new processes and techniques to the crossfunctional teams.
- Manage multiple projects from Runner Insights to Brief Stage, through Design, Development, Costing, and into Commercialization.
- Lead cross-functional project teams throughout the product creation cycle.
- Lead the execution and planning of the seasonal critical dates that lead to timely delivery of sales samples and production confirmation.
- Display an expert understanding of the manufacturing process with the ability to modify the process to advance and achieve new manufacturing techniques which improve the overall performance of product.
- Anticipate downstream effect of decisions as it relates to product and project management. Be proactive in solutions to mitigate delays.
- Act as an expert resource for other Footwear Team members with an aptitude for coaching and mentoring.
- Lead large-scale, complex projects with significant business impact or projects incorporating new technology/ manufacturing techniques (franchise product, new technology, etc.).
- Act as proxy for Development Manager as needed.
- Lead the team to continually create and build a knowledge base and stay informed of current vendor capabilities and performance, factory relationships, quality issues, materials pricing & lead time. Continue to drive this knowledge through the development team.
- Mentor development personnel and others on the Footwear Team; potential to manage up to one direct report.
- Ability to influence and lead cross functionally and leads triad teams.
- Travel to Asia 4X a year – leading development trips and leading work with manufacturers and suppliers on existing and current development projects.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Design, Biomechanics or other applicable technical degrees or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 7+ successful years’ of experience leading the development of high performance footwear projects
- Technical expertise in footwear product development, process, project management, costing and manufacturing of product from conception to retail.
- Advanced level of footwear development skills and proven cross functional project management success
- Display an in-depth understanding of the manufacturing process with the ability to modify the process in order to advance and achieve new manufacturing techniques which improve the overall performance of product
- Demonstrated ability to lead and influence in a collaborative, cross-functional group without command/ control to meet strategic objectives.
- Demonstrate confidence and ability to manage projects/ process through a high degree of ambiguity – continually looking for solutions and anticipating the downstream effects. Ability to create solutions to successfully move forward.
- Demonstrated ability to develop highly positive relationships with individuals and teams that are made up of diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds resulting in effective working relationships across the company.
- Advanced ability to communicate new ideas, concepts and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders.
- Outstanding communication skills, verbal and written. Advanced 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 still seeing the big picture and understanding how all the pieces fit together and affect one another.
- 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.”
- Curious and open-minded; always open for a challenge, inventive, creative. 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.
- Keen attention to detail in planning, organization and execution of tasks (self and through others), while still seeing the big picture and understanding how all the pieces fit together and affect one another.
- Strong computer skills including experience with Illustrator, MS Office software.
- Passionate participation in Brooks activities a plus, combined with the ability to understand and empathize with the runner in order to develop loyal and engaging relationships with our customers and the Brooks community.
- Embrace and live the Brooks values!
The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $121,798 - $182,749 per year. Base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Brooks is proud to offer a robust benefits package to our employees and their families!
Benefits- including medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance.
Paid Time Off- Brooks offers generous time off including three to five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, paid sick and parental leave.
Bonus- in addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.
Perks- including product discounts, a home office stipend, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits.
At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, sensory, physical, or mental disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), honorable discharge or military status, protected citizen status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained guide dog by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.
