Columbia Sportswear, Inc.:
Director Footwear Innovation Job in Burlington, VT
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Burlington, VT
Full-time | Management - Executive
About the job
.
OUTGROWN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? COME PLAY IN OURS.
At Columbia, were as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And while our gear is available worldwide, were proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest, where natural wonders are our playground.
Every product we make and every task we undertake is inspired by the famous words of our founder Gert Boyle: Its perfect. Now make it better. As pioneers of relentless improvement, we are constantly evolving.
We believe the outdoors is ours to protect and strive to keep our planet healthy. We believe in empowering people to experience the outdoors to the fullest.
And we believe in you.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Innovation team is a future-thinking team responsible for world-class innovation of material platform technologies that enable next-generation consumer products for active people.
Inspire and lead the development and execution of our footwear innovation roadmap. Work closely with the performance innovation team, internal resources and outside vendors to research and develop product technology platforms that deliver against the goal of Columbia being the best in the world at delivering footwear that keeps consumers warm, dry, cool and protected, with differentiated solutions for enhanced underfoot traction and ride for various terrains and environmental conditions.
HOWYOULLMAKE A DIFFERENCE
Lead the company in identifying, developing, and commercializing new material, construction, and product innovations for footwear.
Employ consumer insights and consumer insights studies, monitor market trends, including from other consumer product industries such as sporting goods, consumer electronics, automotive, etc.
Lead the development of innovations that are appropriate for the brand and support the brand strategies.
Work closely with design and merchandising staff to generate product ideas.
Research and inquire about new technologies and potential innovations and then drive them through the innovation development process.
Provide leadership to cross-functional teams to develop and commercialize new innovation opportunities.
Ensure best practice R&D methodology and that new products are thoroughly tested before introduction.
Lead storytelling and shepherd innovations from concept to commercialization.
Work closely with other divisions including equipment and apparel to share innovations and how best to incorporate new technologies, fabrics, etc. into other product lines.
Develop and monitor cross-business-unit technologies allowing for increased efficiencies and maximization of market opportunities.
YOU ARE
Possess a deep and thorough knowledge of footwear business processes and functions, a strong understanding of brand sales strategies and an expert grasp of the global outdoor consumer.
Requires working knowledge of other functions including Sales, Planning, Marketing and Production.
A problem solver, especially when challenges arise while developing and commercializing new products
Requires strong leadership and diplomacy skills to guide teams and facilitate collaboration.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with internal and external contacts both domestically and on an international scope.
YOUHAVE
Bachelors degree
10+ years' experience in the footwear or related consumer products industry
Product development and design experience in the outdoor or athletic industry
Experience managing projects or project teams
Strong understanding of the consumer, retail environment and competitive marketplace
Ability to verbally deliver product and innovation presentations to design, merchandising, other business units, analysts, media, retailers, sales force and large groups
Ability to express complex concepts and technical material to a broad and diverse audience
To learn more about our hiring process during COVID-19, click here.
#LI-JJ1
Columbia Sportswear Company and our portfolio of brands, including Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and prAna, know a thing or two about adventures. After all, we've been on one since 1938, working to perfect the art of enjoying the outdoors. Behind everything we make is an employee who's found that the greatest adventure starts with joining a company that strives to do the right thing.
This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.
At Columbia Sportswear Company (CSC), we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. CSC believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
OUTGROWN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? COME PLAY IN OURS.
At Columbia, were as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And while our gear is available worldwide, were proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest, where natural wonders are our playground.
Every product we make and every task we undertake is inspired by the famous words of our founder Gert Boyle: Its perfect. Now make it better. As pioneers of relentless improvement, we are constantly evolving.
We believe the outdoors is ours to protect and strive to keep our planet healthy. We believe in empowering people to experience the outdoors to the fullest.
And we believe in you.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Innovation team is a future-thinking team responsible for world-class innovation of material platform technologies that enable next-generation consumer products for active people.
Inspire and lead the development and execution of our footwear innovation roadmap. Work closely with the performance innovation team, internal resources and outside vendors to research and develop product technology platforms that deliver against the goal of Columbia being the best in the world at delivering footwear that keeps consumers warm, dry, cool and protected, with differentiated solutions for enhanced underfoot traction and ride for various terrains and environmental conditions.
HOWYOULLMAKE A DIFFERENCE
Lead the company in identifying, developing, and commercializing new material, construction, and product innovations for footwear.
Employ consumer insights and consumer insights studies, monitor market trends, including from other consumer product industries such as sporting goods, consumer electronics, automotive, etc.
Lead the development of innovations that are appropriate for the brand and support the brand strategies.
Work closely with design and merchandising staff to generate product ideas.
Research and inquire about new technologies and potential innovations and then drive them through the innovation development process.
Provide leadership to cross-functional teams to develop and commercialize new innovation opportunities.
Ensure best practice R&D methodology and that new products are thoroughly tested before introduction.
Lead storytelling and shepherd innovations from concept to commercialization.
Work closely with other divisions including equipment and apparel to share innovations and how best to incorporate new technologies, fabrics, etc. into other product lines.
Develop and monitor cross-business-unit technologies allowing for increased efficiencies and maximization of market opportunities.
YOU ARE
Possess a deep and thorough knowledge of footwear business processes and functions, a strong understanding of brand sales strategies and an expert grasp of the global outdoor consumer.
Requires working knowledge of other functions including Sales, Planning, Marketing and Production.
A problem solver, especially when challenges arise while developing and commercializing new products
Requires strong leadership and diplomacy skills to guide teams and facilitate collaboration.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with internal and external contacts both domestically and on an international scope.
YOUHAVE
Bachelors degree
10+ years' experience in the footwear or related consumer products industry
Product development and design experience in the outdoor or athletic industry
Experience managing projects or project teams
Strong understanding of the consumer, retail environment and competitive marketplace
Ability to verbally deliver product and innovation presentations to design, merchandising, other business units, analysts, media, retailers, sales force and large groups
Ability to express complex concepts and technical material to a broad and diverse audience
To learn more about our hiring process during COVID-19, click here.
#LI-JJ1
Columbia Sportswear Company and our portfolio of brands, including Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and prAna, know a thing or two about adventures. After all, we've been on one since 1938, working to perfect the art of enjoying the outdoors. Behind everything we make is an employee who's found that the greatest adventure starts with joining a company that strives to do the right thing.
This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.
At Columbia Sportswear Company (CSC), we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. CSC believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.