Footwear Innovation Developer I

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 I, you will develop your skills as you collaborate on a daily basis with other Footwear Innovation team members to investigate new technologies, explore new designs, and implement new manufacturing processes that will help us create footwear that runners will love, with the lowest environmental impact possible. You will be part of the Footwear Innovation process, driving research, sample material acquisition, prototype building, concept validation, and factory collaboration, supporting the delivery of ready for in-line product and 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 collaborate 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’ll partner closely with more senior members of the Footwear Innovation team to hone your technical footwear expertise.

Your Responsibilities:

• Participate in multiple innovation projects from Portfolio Review, Brief & Research through Design, Development & Validation and into Commercialization & Manufacturing. Understand when to bring in additional support to continue to drive product decisions forward.
• Assist on the creation and execution of 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
• Manage the prototyping, testing and validation of concepts through 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
• Partner with design, product management, engineering, manufacturing and vendor/ partners to ensure that products exceed runner expectations, are manufacturable and meet performance and quality objectives of the organization
• Build capability to act as a technical consultant to product teams on materials, components and construction decisions to meet product’s functional goals, as well as assure product performance integrity through product testing (physical and field testing)
• Continuously grow knowledge of the product creation and manufacturing processes, allowing for new ideas that will enhance product performance.
• Initiate and participate in 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
• Utilize creative thinking and formulate proposals to transfer new ideas into concept creation and product implementation
• Participate in development trips, 3 - 4 per year, to work with manufacturers and suppliers on existing and current development projects
• Create and build a knowledge base and stay informed about vendor capabilities and performance, factory relationships, quality issues, materials pricing and lead times. Special focus on sustainable materials, manufacturing technologies, recyclability techniques and post-consumer downcycling strategies

Qualifications:

• 3+ successful years of experience managing product development of high-performance footwear projects
• Bachelor’s Degree in English Language, Engineering, Design, Biomechanics or other applicable technical degrees or equivalent combination of education and/or experience
• Experience and technical knowledge in sustainable materials, footwear development, and post-consumer strategies is a plus.
• Technical experience in footwear product development with a strong understanding of the total footwear construction process including outsole/midsole drawing, pattern engineering, material construction, testing and costing.
• Understanding of manufacturing techniques, anticipating issues, and problem solving with timely resolution.
• Proven ability to drive a decision in a collaborative, cross-functional and complex global environment without command/control to meet strategic objectives.
• Keen attention to detail in planning, organization and execution of tasks (self and through others). Willingness to dive into the details to better understand the “why.”
• Early 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.”
• 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 managing relationships with existing T1, T2 and T3 suppliers. Learn how to communicate complex ideas and promote innovative thinking in our partner network.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to communicate new ideas, concepts and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders.
• Presentation skills. Professional knowledge of PowerPoint, Keynote or other electronic means to communicate new concepts or ideas. Technical writing capability a plus.
• 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.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• 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!

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.