Navigos 3.5 ★

The Director of Innovation will spearhead the research, development, and market introduction of advanced footwear concepts, aiming to create groundbreaking experiences for consumers and athletes. This role will serve as a collaborative partner within the Corporate Innovation Team, Innovation team, and US & EU Sports Marketing teams, and will engage directly with external laboratories and organizations. Additionally, the director will gather and analyze biomechanical research, athlete feedback, material science insights, and other findings to guide the development of footwear across various categories.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and mentor a cross-functional Footwear Innovation team, encompassing product development, materials development, product testing, and data analytics.
• Collaborate with In-Line Product Development, Engineering, Corporate Innovation, US & EU Sports Marketing, and Innovation teams to bring innovative proof of concepts to market.
• Oversee innovation projects with key Tier 1 partner factories, coordinating with Tier 2 suppliers and vendors.
• Work alongside Sports Marketing to provide athletes with advanced, high-performance products tailored for specific races and trials.
• Collaborate with Sports Marketing to evaluate product strengths and opportunities through athlete testing and feedback.
• Partner with Innovation & Engineering to develop prototypes as needed, supporting the research initiatives.
• Drive the advancement of product creation toward top-tier performance standards through innovative exploration.
• Actively seek, assess, and integrate new technologies relevant to the industry, working with peers to establish best practices for successful product launches, development, testing, and validation.
• Identify in-house and external testing and prototyping capabilities, interpreting results to enhance product development.
• Develop best practices for incorporating biomechanical research and test data into future product designs.
• Manage project timelines and deliverables collaboratively with partners and stakeholders to ensure timely innovation product launches.
• Create and streamline processes, project workloads, assignments, and deadlines to meet specified deliverables.
• Provide leadership and problem-solving guidance to US and Corporate Innovation Teams before project transitions, assessing potential issues related to construction, materials, or costs. Review designs and technical specifications to identify and mitigate risks.
• Lead the refinement of the Innovation to In-line process to enhance accountability throughout.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Material Science, Engineering, Biomechanics, or equivalent experience, MBA preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in the global footwear industry.
• 8+ years of management experience, demonstrating leadership across multiple categories and markets.
• Expertise in advanced concepts, product testing, and development.
• Proficient in creating product specifications, material applications, and constructions.
• Strong knowledge of footwear construction, materials, testing protocols, and result interpretation.
• Experience with digital creation, fast-paced business models, and sustainability.
• Familiarity with product costing, including factory labor and overhead.
• Proficient in Microsoft and Adobe applications, digital tools, and 3D modeling.
• Advanced project management and organizational skills.
• Strong communication, presentation, and leadership abilities.
• Ability to foster a creative team environment and mentor others.
• Capacity to manage multiple tasks independently in a dynamic environment.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally for factory, laboratory, and corporate visits, as well as conferences.