The North Face:
VF Corporation: Sr. Manager, Product Engineering & Operations Job in Alameda, VT

As part of the Global Innovation Networks Advanced Manufacturing Team, you will work collaboratively on innovation projects that impact textile, apparel and additive manufacturing processes as we transition to the 4th Industrial Revolution. This role translates the new technologies into new product opportunities and leads the new product portfolio & process strategy. You will drive the creation of a new DTC sourcing and operations model enabled by the digital process flow and technologies under the project to support the VF Brands. Project work will include digital design driven manufacturing, additive manufacturing, automation & robotics, textile manufacturing, product assembly technologies, and next generation materials creation. The Advanced Manufacturing team is focused on increasing manufacturing flexibility and demand responsiveness to better serve consumer needs and desires, while at the same time driving reductions in inventory, waste, and resource intensity regarding water, energy, and chemistry. You will collaborate with Global Innovation Network teams, VF Brands (i.e. The North Face, Vans, Timberland, JanSport, Wrangler etc.), VF Global Supply Chain, and other internal and external innovation partners to align on projects that maximize enterprise value. You will be expected to leverage your extensive product knowledge, technical expertise and broad (sourcing and manufacturing) industry experience to create and execute projects against timelines. Your innovation focus will range from incremental to disruptive in the areas of technology, process, and partnerships.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Align with VP, Product Creation & Advanced Manufacturing on prioritization of project goals and resources.
Partner with Product, Design, Materials and Operations teams within the Brands to identify the right products to pilot. Define and secure mutual alignment on the right parameters of success.
Partner with the Advanced Manufacturing team to design the scope, cost, timeline, resources and technologies required and then manage pilot through completion.
Identify and track the metrics to measure the success of a specific business opportunity.
Synthesize findings, prepare presentations and communicate project status and progress to internal stakeholders.
Create revenue, inventory and price optimization models.
Create sustainability impact metrics.
Manage project work to achieve assigned milestones and deliverables.
Build relationships with key partners that provide flexible and appropriate Project Management support.

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS
4-year degree from an accredited university in Textiles, Manufacturing Technologies, Business Operations or equivalent work experience. Masters preferred.
10+ years' professional experience in consumer goods industry on product engineering/development and/or operations /manufacturing and a minimum of 7 years experience leading technical programs in creative and innovative work. Vertical Retail in the Consumer Goods Industry experience preferred.
Experience leading and motivating strong teams based on different talents and skills.
High proficiency in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word), Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent project management software, and Microsoft SharePoint.
Maker approach to problem solving. Highly resourceful and adaptive. Comfortable with ambiguity.
Experience and proven track record of transitioning programs/technologies from concept into commercialization.
Demonstrated success developing and presenting complex ideas to executive audiences and effectively articulating the voice of the customer to senior management in a clear, concise and decisive manner.
Ability to communicate effectively in a world-wide environment with both technical and non-technical audiences.
High degree of initiative and ability to work independently when needed.
Operate effectively in a complex, matrixed organization.
Demonstrate critical thinking capabilities in Executive Leadership facing situations.
Exhibit a self-directed and proactive working style in which opportunities are identified and addressed prior to leadership direction.
15% travel required.