Senior Footwear Materials Developer

Role: Senior Footwear Materials Developer      Reports to: Footwear Development Director About Us:   We’re a performance footwear company using innovation and creativity to unlock the euphoria of sport. Inspired by skateboarding and surfing, we blend cutting-edge performance with a distinctive aesthetic rooted in lifestyle subcultures. As an underdog in a field dominated by giants, we focus on authentic, credible brand-building that challenges the status quo—step by step crafting a legacy. Tuned For The Future.  Role Overview: As a Senior Footwear Materials Developer, you will be responsible for leading the development and execution of materials across footwear categories, driving innovation, performance, sustainability, and brand aesthetics. This role partners cross-functionally with design, development, and product management teams to translate creative vision and performance goals into commercially viable materials. You will be a key contributor to the material strategy and will serve as a subject matter expert across teams, offering guidance on materials selection, vendor capabilities, and technical performance. You’ll also collaborate closely with global vendors to ensure materials meet functional, cost, and sustainability standards while delivering on-time for seasonal calendars. Key Responsibilities Serve as the go to expert for materials, providing guidance during all stages of product creation through to commercialization Collaborate cross-functionally with product design, product development, and product management to identify appropriate material usage Initiate and lead meetings with product teams during various phases of development to review, evaluate, update, and drive decision making Drive seasonal material strategies that align with broader business goals including performance, sustainability, margin, and forecast targets, ensuring clear alignment between material planning and product priorities Provide expert technical guidance on material and vendor selection, connecting construction logic and performance attributes to specific product needs Lead proactive material decision making, acting as a thought leader who shapes innovation direction in alignment with brand values Anticipate and resolve material related challenges that arise during the product development process, providing alternative solutions that maintain product integrity and timelines Build and maintain strong relationships with T2 partners, serving as the key connection in developing and commercializing new materials, evaluate technical capabilities, and building strategic relationships Drive material testing processes in partnership with LO, T1s, and external labs; validate existing and evolve functional performance and compliance standards Maintain and share a knowledge base of vendor capabilities, material performance, material limitations, lead times, and MOQs to support team-wide visibility Build and evolve a user friendly digital and physical materials library with accurate specifications, test results, and development history Help refine material development processes and contribute to continuous improvement efforts across tools, systems, and workflows Identify opportunities for innovation in materials, processes, and sourcing, including sustainable alternatives and cost optimizations Proactively research emerging materials trends and stay informed with literature and industry news to identify opportunities that advance footwear performance, cost efficiency, or environmental impact Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering, Textile Science/Development, Textile Engineering, or related field. A master’s degree is a plus 7+ years of relevant experience in footwear textile development/design, material development, materials engineering or science Deep knowledge of footwear materials, manufacturing, and processes such as knits, wovens, non-wovens, leather, and synthetics Ability to interpret material test results for performance footwear applications Familiarity with footwear construction methods and how materials affect fit, feel, and performance Demonstrate success managing seasonal calendars, vendor relationships, and product development timelines Computer proficiency with office software; MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint. Experience with Illustrator or other Adobe Suite software a plus Personal Qualities Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to address technical material challenges and offer solutions Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical details clearly across footwear creation disciplines Ability to interpret design intent and conceptual briefing to provide material recommendations Understand supplier dynamics and have a global view of the footwear supply chain Ability to think beyond execution and contribute to long term material direction Thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and embraces challenges with a proactive mindset Curiosity to seek out new materials, techniques, and technologies to explore bring them to life What We Offer Collaborative global culture that values performance, innovation, and sustainability Dynamic, performance-driven work environment with direct impact on global products Competitive compensation and benefits