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Sr. Footwear Materials Designer
New Balance
Boston, MA, United States
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Overview
New Balance has a history of 100 years of enduring performance and is still running strong today. Part of what makes New Balance so unique is our commitment to making products that not only provide performance, but also superior fit and comfort. The same attention that is placed on our athletic shoes and apparel is also placed on our associates. New Balance thrives because of the passion and dedication of the people we hire. We rely on our associates to match our enthusiasm for the business and to help drive consumers to move further, faster and more frequently. We seek associates who are always on the move. Associates who push themselves forward and are motivated to move New Balance forward. Ask yourself: Are you ready to move the world?
Responsibilities
JOB MISSION:
Research, evaluate, design, and implement new materials and technologies for Lifestyle footwear, in collaboration with MDT, MST, & Lifestyle R&D teams. Support seasonal concepts and creative direction with appropriate materials for the Lifestyle team through trend & industry research, while keeping pulse of design needs and commercial realities. Provide creative support for the Lifestyle Materials Developer and the CDM of Concept Design.
MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:
1. Research new and innovative materials, technologies, and processes.
1. Work with Lifestyle Materials Developer to identify new vendors who offer new leading edge materials.
2. Identify cutting edge materials, processes, or technologies via market research, specifically non-footwear techs and work with Lifestyle Materials Developer to implement.
2. Design new materials concepts for in-line Lifestyle product by creating brand new materials, and collecting materials and material combinations that support the seasonal concepts from materials library. In addition, connect with Tokyo Design Studio to share innovative concepts that may take longer than one season to develop as a part of the innovation track for Lifestyle.
3. Work with MDs, MST, and vendors to develop these new materials by creating tech packs to prototype uppers or material samples that demonstrate the concept, its use/function, and/or performance benefit. Work to hand-off these projects to Lifestyle Materials Developer in collaboration with MDT.
4. Travel with MDT to our materials development locations in Asia bi-annually to work with our vendors and MST/NB Asia teams. Share seasonal trends and needs, work on design projects, and to evaluate and select seasonal materials
5. Collaborate across the organization to share knowledge, standards, and innovation with Performance Innovation and materials teams, domestic manufacturing inline and innovation teams, and the Materials Development and Materials Sourcing teams.
6. Maintain and distribute the materials library materials across the various lifestyle design offices as well as the standards and practices for the material usage by design.
7. Represent design in collaboration with Materials Development in meetings with various material vendors.
KEY CUSTOMERS:
1. This role has the primary internal customer of the global Lifestyle Footwear Design team. The Senior Materials Designer is responsible for delivering a seasonal materials palette that will aid the designers in the successful completion of their seasonal design concepts.
2. The Senior Materials Designer will also act as the materials expert for the wider Product Management and Product Development team and also provides various material trend information tools for the wider sales and merchandising organization on key programs.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS:
1. On time delivery of a quarterly global materials palette. This will be driven by the product creation calendar and is critical to the successful adoption of the palette materials by design.
2. The creation of industry-first compelling material stories.
3. Improved product margins through thoughtful and clear usage of material design.
4. Successful sell-in and sell-through of Lifestyle Footwear based on compelling material stories.
REPORTING STRUCTURE:
Reports to: Creative Design Manager, Concept – Lifestyle.
Manages: Materials Designer 1-Lifestyle
Qualifications
1. Bachelor’s Degree or higher in one of the related fields of design such as Textile Design/Science/Merchandising, Fashion Design, Graphic or Industrial Design and/or comparable industry experience in the materials design field.
2. 7+ years of relevant design experience with comparable global sport and fashion companies.
3. Exceptional visual communication skills and verbal presentation skills
4. Proven knowledge of fashion/industry and consumer trends.
5. Requires proficient knowledge of Adobe CS, Working knowledge of typical software such as Microsoft Office.
6. Certification of technical knowledge in various materials technologies, such as knits, leathers, etc are a bonus.
Our Benefit Offerings:
We’re happy to provide traditional benefits, but to us, the greatest benefit of working at New Balance is taking advantage of additional programs that will enhance your life at work and at home as you grow with our business. Our benefits, at a glance, include:
• 401k plan with employer match
• Generous vacation package and paid holidays
• Paid time off to volunteer in the community
• Fitness Reimbursement Program
• Discounted Health Club Memberships
• Corporate Gift Matching
• 40% associate discount
Your Career Development:
While the company looks to achieve strategic goals, each associate is encouraged to take ownership and mold their development process as they conquer their personal aspirations. To guide you in the process we offer traditional and nontraditional development opportunities, including mentor programs, to help you move your body or career, in which our executives participate as mentors. We also offer customized team sessions, on and off-site seminars and tuition reimbursement.
New Balance provides equal opportunities for all current and prospective associates and takes affirmative action to ensure that employment, training, compensation, transfer, promotion and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment are provided without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, handicap, genetic information and/or status as an Armed Forces service medal veteran, recently separated veteran, qualified disabled veteran or other protected veteran.