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Director, Product Development - Men's Footwear
Cole Haan
Greenland, NH, United States
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ABOUT US:
We are proponents of Elegant Innovation.
Founded by Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan in 1928, Cole Haan is built on American craftsmanship and ingenuity. We combine traditional methods, timeless style and modern innovations to create footwear and accessories for optimists of all ages. This company was started to make good things for people who make good things happen; it still does.
Cole Haan recently returned to its roots as an independently owned company and is growing rapidly in the US and abroad, as people rediscover the value of quality goods made without compromises.
We call New York City and Greenland, New Hampshire home, but you'll find us everywhere, including in more than 115 retail stores within the United States, within our wholesale exclusive partners, and in over 100 locations globally. We also invite you to visit us at any time at www.colehaan.com.
The Cole Haan brand is all about modernizing Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan's legacy. The Cole Haan company is about enlisting like-minded people who want to make good things happen.
MISSION/ROLE:
The Director of Product Development for men's footwear reports to the Vice President of Product Development and is responsible for leading the development of product from initial concept through to pre-production, with primary focus and ownership up to and including buy readiness. This person will continue to align team accountabilities and competencies to evolving business needs, define, implement and evolve relevant processes and best practices.
CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES:
• Lead the development and engineering of in line innovations from concept to pre-production, achieving an optimum balance of aesthetic and functional / technical requirements...combining the art and science of product creation
• Drive product creation calendar discipline; Manage product through a critical path to ensure timely delivery of task to milestone; Measure progress and performance through relevant key performance indicators
• Drive process efficiencies and excellence: create, implement and evolve product development best practices
• Align the Men's product development team to supply chain and business strategy; Evolve team structure, accountabilities and competencies accordingly
• Cross functional team leadership across the product creation environment; Ensure Design, Merchandising and the Global Supply Chain team align to milestone deliverables
• Champion and lead the utilization of PLM across the Men's product development team
COMPETENCIES:
• Strategic and pragmatic: Able to establish strategic team direction aligned to Supply Chain and corporate needs
• Builds organizational talent: Able to establish a diverse team competency base aligned to business need
• Strong interpersonal skills: Able to connect and relate across all levels of the global organization. Utilizes and navigates cultural enablers and inhibitors
• Communicates with impact: Deliver clear messages, present with impact and create clear written communication
• Process improvement mindset: Advance or progress operating processes and systems. Integrate input from key stakeholders
• Operation decision making: Seek, organize and analyze project relevant information and data; Develop alternative approaches, anticipate road blocks, gain collective team commitment; Demonstrate decisiveness and action
• Cross functional collaboration: Develop influence strategy, establish shared goals and collaboratively develop solutions
• Bachelor's Degree in related field with 10+ years of footwear technical engineering and product development
• Must have previous experience working with and travelling to factories in Asia
• Strong knowledge of the product creation process and how it integrates into operations and manufacturing
• Proficient in indirect and / or direct team leadership and mentorship
• Proficient in technical product engineering: leather, tooling, upper and constructions
• Proven successful experience in managing projects and problem solving concepts