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Director
Columbia Sportswear
Portland, OR, United States
Job Details - this job has expired, please see similar jobs below
Summary:
As the companies leading footwear expert, you will drive footwear platform innovations by ideating, inventing and commercializing cutting edge world class platforms that can be maximized to work across many product types. Work closely with the innovation team, footwear development, footwear LO office and outside vendors on research and development related to footwear advancements. This includes but not limited to advanced midsoles, outsoles, performance upper construction and improved bio mechanics.
Responsibilities:
• In conjunction with the VP of Global innovation and Design, lead the company in identifying and road mapping new footwear innovation platforms. Monitor market trends in consumer product industries that include footwear, general sporting goods, consumer electronics, automotive, etc. Work closely with design, merchandising, and product development staff to generate product ideas and recommend innovations.
• Research, inquire, invent and create new technologies/ innovations and then drive them through the product development process. Provide leadership to cross-functional teams to develop and commercialize new innovation opportunities. Work with the team(s) to ensure best practice R&D methodology and that new platforms are thoroughly tested before introduction.
• Work closely with all divisions to share innovations and determine how best to incorporate new technologies into across the footwear product range. Develop and monitor cross-business-unit technologies allowing for increased efficiencies and maximization of market opportunities.
• Develop key partnerships with external vendors to develop new technology platforms related to footwear applications.
• Work closely with the innovation team members, product development and manufacturing teams to commercialize new innovations.
• Position has direct supervisory responsibility for a small team of professional-level employees. Position is also responsible for influencing other individuals and teams to make decisions and take action.
Requirements:
• Expert knowledge of performance footwear.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in advanced footwear related product.
• Strong track record of prior innovation and invention accomplishments in performance footwear.
• Management experience, including management of commercialization project(s) and/ or project teams.
• Solid business management and product management skills.
• Understanding of the consumer, retail environment and competitive marketplace.
• Thorough computer literacy knowledge and be proficient illustrator, 3D Modeling, MS Word, Excel and Power Point/ Key Note.
• Undergraduate degree in industrial design and or engineering a plus.
Job Conditions:
Job requires hours that may exceed 8 hours per day and/or 40 per week. Evening meetings and weekend work occasionally required to ensure timely project completion. Some job pressure exists in the balancing of several projects with conflicting priorities. Extensive travel, both domestically and internationally, is required.
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.
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