Brooks Sports, Inc.:
Innovation Footwear Developer Job in Seattle, VT
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Seattle, VT
Full-time | Design - Footwear
About the job
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:
The Brooks innovation group is a team of world-class innovative minds collectively focused on improving the performance running experience through product, experiential and biomechanical innovation. They constantly challenge assumptions of how products are made and together they shape the future of running footwear. They stretch the limits of science and human performance with every innovation and are relentlessly focused on changes that benefit the Brooks runner. They pioneer relationships with manufacturing partners and suppliers, uncovering new partnerships with global industry leaders to create innovations and bring new Brooks innovations to life. The team operates across the full range of product creation, merchandising, brand strategy, sourcing and new business development to relentlessly pursue methods to make better-performing, higher-quality and sustainable products faster and more efficiently than ever before
As our Footwear Innovation Developer, you will utilize your advanced product and process knowledge to manage the product development process for innovation programs that will drive the future of Brooks Running. You will work with a global, cross-functional product creation team from the collection of insights through commercialization to create products that deliver new running experiences and exceed runner expectations. You will create and manage project timelines across the innovation triad driving the research, prototyping and validation of ideas through the advanced R&D process delivering ready for in-line product and technologies. You will work with strategic partners outside of Brooks to cultivate new ideas and deliver groundbreaking products that challenge and shape the future of running.
Your Responsibilities:
! Oversee and manage multiple innovation projects from Insights, Brief & Research through Design, Development & Validation and into Commercialization & Manufacturing.
! Create and execute project development plans/ schedules according to the strategic critical dates that lead to on–time delivery of samples, portfolio reviews, validation, technology transfers and final product/ technology confirmation.
! Lead the prototyping, testing and validation of concepts via advanced problem solving and product creation skills. Partner with Design, PLMs, Engineering, Manufacturing and vendor/ partners to ensure products exceed runner expectations, are manufacturable and meet performance and quality objectives of the organization.
! Display an in-depth knowledge of the manufacturing process with the ability to manipulate the process in order to advance and achieve new manufacturing techniques which enhance the overall performance and efficiency of product.
! Create product specification and BOMs for each product with the ability to transfer all specifications and best practices into the In-Line process.
! Lead/participate in development trips, 3 - 4 per year, to work with manufacturers and suppliers on existing and current development projects.
! Recommend and specify to the product team the material, component and construction options to meet product’s functional goals, as well as ensure product performance integrity through product testing (physical and field testing).
! Initiate and lead 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.
! Create and build a knowledge base and stay informed about vendor capabilities and performance, factory relationships, quality issues, materials pricing and lead times.
Qualifications:
! Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, Design, Biomechanics or other applicable technical degrees.
! 6+ successful years relevant work experience in the product development of high-performance footwear.
! Technical expertise in footwear product development with an advanced knowledge of the total footwear construction process including outsole/midsole drawing, pattern engineering, blueprint and mold creation, material construction, testing and costing.
! Strong understanding of manufacturing capabilities, anticipating issues, problem solving with timely resolution.
! Strong understanding of Lab, fit, wear and biomechanical testing and specification concepts and processes.
! Proven ability to lead and influence in a collaborative, cross-functional group without command/ control to meet strategic objectives.
! Demonstrated ability to develop highly 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 an advanced ability to communicate new ideas, concepts and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders.
! Strong presentation skills and professional knowledge of PowerPoint, Keynote or other electronic means to communicate new concepts or ideas. Technical writing capability a plus.
! 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 of 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.
! Strong computer skills including experience with Illustrator, MS Office software.
! Proven ability to lead and influence in collaborative, team oriented and complex global environments.
! 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!
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, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, the presence of a sensory, physica
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:
The Brooks innovation group is a team of world-class innovative minds collectively focused on improving the performance running experience through product, experiential and biomechanical innovation. They constantly challenge assumptions of how products are made and together they shape the future of running footwear. They stretch the limits of science and human performance with every innovation and are relentlessly focused on changes that benefit the Brooks runner. They pioneer relationships with manufacturing partners and suppliers, uncovering new partnerships with global industry leaders to create innovations and bring new Brooks innovations to life. The team operates across the full range of product creation, merchandising, brand strategy, sourcing and new business development to relentlessly pursue methods to make better-performing, higher-quality and sustainable products faster and more efficiently than ever before
As our Footwear Innovation Developer, you will utilize your advanced product and process knowledge to manage the product development process for innovation programs that will drive the future of Brooks Running. You will work with a global, cross-functional product creation team from the collection of insights through commercialization to create products that deliver new running experiences and exceed runner expectations. You will create and manage project timelines across the innovation triad driving the research, prototyping and validation of ideas through the advanced R&D process delivering ready for in-line product and technologies. You will work with strategic partners outside of Brooks to cultivate new ideas and deliver groundbreaking products that challenge and shape the future of running.
Your Responsibilities:
! Oversee and manage multiple innovation projects from Insights, Brief & Research through Design, Development & Validation and into Commercialization & Manufacturing.
! Create and execute project development plans/ schedules according to the strategic critical dates that lead to on–time delivery of samples, portfolio reviews, validation, technology transfers and final product/ technology confirmation.
! Lead the prototyping, testing and validation of concepts via advanced problem solving and product creation skills. Partner with Design, PLMs, Engineering, Manufacturing and vendor/ partners to ensure products exceed runner expectations, are manufacturable and meet performance and quality objectives of the organization.
! Display an in-depth knowledge of the manufacturing process with the ability to manipulate the process in order to advance and achieve new manufacturing techniques which enhance the overall performance and efficiency of product.
! Create product specification and BOMs for each product with the ability to transfer all specifications and best practices into the In-Line process.
! Lead/participate in development trips, 3 - 4 per year, to work with manufacturers and suppliers on existing and current development projects.
! Recommend and specify to the product team the material, component and construction options to meet product’s functional goals, as well as ensure product performance integrity through product testing (physical and field testing).
! Initiate and lead 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.
! Create and build a knowledge base and stay informed about vendor capabilities and performance, factory relationships, quality issues, materials pricing and lead times.
Qualifications:
! Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, Design, Biomechanics or other applicable technical degrees.
! 6+ successful years relevant work experience in the product development of high-performance footwear.
! Technical expertise in footwear product development with an advanced knowledge of the total footwear construction process including outsole/midsole drawing, pattern engineering, blueprint and mold creation, material construction, testing and costing.
! Strong understanding of manufacturing capabilities, anticipating issues, problem solving with timely resolution.
! Strong understanding of Lab, fit, wear and biomechanical testing and specification concepts and processes.
! Proven ability to lead and influence in a collaborative, cross-functional group without command/ control to meet strategic objectives.
! Demonstrated ability to develop highly 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 an advanced ability to communicate new ideas, concepts and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders.
! Strong presentation skills and professional knowledge of PowerPoint, Keynote or other electronic means to communicate new concepts or ideas. Technical writing capability a plus.
! 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 of 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.
! Strong computer skills including experience with Illustrator, MS Office software.
! Proven ability to lead and influence in collaborative, team oriented and complex global environments.
! 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!
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, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, the presence of a sensory, physica