Footwear Innovation Developer II

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:

· Runner First

We act in the best interest of the runner

· Word is Bond

We do what we say we’ll do

· Champion Heart

We give our all in everything we do

· There is no “I” in Run

We stay generous with our humanity

· Keep Moving

We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement — because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.

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 II, you will utilize your advanced product and process knowledge to lead and manage the product development of innovation programs that will drive the future of Brooks Running. Most of your focus and scope will be on Athlete projects and Track & Field products utilizing your expertise of plate development, injection molding, construction, composites, and applicable materials. You will create, manage, and lead project timelines across the innovation triad driving the research, prototyping and validation of ideas through the advanced R&D process delivering products directly to market and ready for in-line technologies. You will work with a global, cross-functional product creation team from the collection of insights through commercialization to deliver products that provide new running experiences and exceed runner expectations. You will lead the work with strategic partners outside of Brooks to cultivate new ideas and deliver groundbreaking products that challenge and shape the future of running.

In this role you will continue to learn from more senior members of the Footwear Innovation team to hone your technical footwear expertise.

Your Responsibilities:

• Manage multiple innovation projects from Portfolio Review, Brief & Research through Design, Development & Validation and into Commercialization & Manufacturing
• Key counterpart to the US-based Developer as a liaison to Tier 1 and Tier 2 partners, engineering, costing, materials, testing lab, and manufacturing to ensure that products exceed runner expectations, are manufacturable and meet performance and quality expectations
• Create and execute project development plans / schedules according to the strategic critical dates that lead to on–time delivery of samples in support of key meetings and milestones including validation, technology transfers and final product/ technology confirmation
• Lead the prototyping, testing and validation of concepts through your advanced problem solving and product creation skills which include: pattern making and construction techniques; blueprints (technical packages), mold creation and midsole/ outsole making; Lab, fit, wear and biomechanical testing; and manufacturing processes used in the creation of our product
• Display an in-depth knowledge of the manufacturing process with the ability to manipulate it in order to advance and achieve new manufacturing techniques which enhance the overall performance and efficiency of product
• Act as a technical consultant to product teams on materials, components and construction decisions meet product’s functional goals, as well as assure 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
• Possess a high aptitude for creative problem solving and critical thinking with a proven track record
• Explore and validate new materials, processes and technologies to ensure state-of-the-art shoe creation with the objective of maximizing runner experience and performance focused on Track and Field footwear and Elite Athlete racing
• Close collaboration with the Run Research team and creative thinking to translate new ideas and scientific data into concept creation and product implementation
• Lead and participate in development trips, 4 - 5 per year, to work with manufacturers and suppliers on existing and current development projects
• Explore and manage relationships with existing and new partners. Promote innovative thinking and approach within our external network.
• Create and build a knowledge base and stay informed about latest vendor capabilities and performance, factory relationships, quality issues, materials pricing and lead times.
• Work with the Innovation Manager to further define and implement the Innovation process with all its steps and milestones

Qualifications:

• 5+ successful years of experience leading the product development of high-performance footwear projects
• Bachelor’s Degree in English, Engineering, Design, Biomechanics or other applicable technical degrees or equivalent combination of education and/or experience
• Experience and technical knowledge in the development of composite plates, Track & Field, or cleated products is preferred. Having worked previously with athletes or sport science labs and genuine interest in the latest running research is a plus.
• Technical expertise in footwear product development with an advanced knowledge of the total footwear construction process including outsole/midsole drawing, pattern engineering, material construction, testing and costing.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing techniques, anticipating issues, problem solving with timely resolution.
• Proven track record of bringing creative ideas to the table and exploring innovative ways to build technically complex prototypes.
• 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.
• Proven ability to lead and influence in collaborative, team oriented and complex global environments
• 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
• Experience establishing and managing relationships with new and existing T1, T2 and T3 suppliers. Capable of communicating complex ideas and promoting innovative thinking in our partner network.
• Ability to anticipate how a decision made can affect our consumers, our partners, our products or other departments’ operations and/or morale; “connecting the dots.”
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English, with an advanced ability to convey new ideas, concepts and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders.
• Presentation skills including professional knowledge of PowerPoint, Illustrator or other electronic means to communicate new concepts or ideas preferred. Technical writing capability a plus.
• Curious and open minded; always open to be inventive and 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 Adobe Illustrator, MS Office software.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed, as well as organizing development and exploration trips.
• 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 consumers and the Brooks community.
• Embraces and lives the Brooks values!

Position Location: Vietnam, HCMC

Reports to: Manager, Innovation Development

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.