Manager, Footwear Engineering, R&D at Brooks Running

Seattle, Washington, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

16 Feb, 26

Salary

210680.0

Posted On

18 Nov, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Footwear Engineering, Project Management, Team Leadership, Manufacturing Processes, Technical Knowledge, Collaboration, Problem Solving, Communication, Innovation, Consumer Insights, Quality Assurance, Pattern Engineering, Material Properties, Performance Optimization, Coaching, Resource Planning

Industry

Retail

Description

Who We Are: At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line. Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation. Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success: · Runner First We act in the best interest of the runner · Word is Bond We do what we say we’ll do · Champion Heart We give our all in everything we do · There is no “I” in Run We stay generous with our humanity · Keep Moving We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic! We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement — because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there. Your Job: The Brooks Footwear Research and Development group is a team of world-class developers and engineers, collectively focused on improving the performance running experience by delivering the best Fit, Feel, Ride, and Quality in the industry. They are relentlessly focused on the action of running/walking to blend runner insight with the knowledge of running science and the art of craftsmanship to build performance footwear empowering every mover to run or walk their path to a better self. As the Manager, Footwear Engineering, you will lead a team of engineers who utilize advanced product and technical knowledge to deliver products that exceed consumer expectations. Our ideal candidate has advanced knowledge of the total footwear construction process, including outsole/midsole tech drawings, pattern engineering, material construction and properties, performance best practices, and technical best practices. Other critical qualifications include understanding manufacturing capabilities, anticipating issues, problem-solving, and timely resolution. You will be responsible for establishing best practices and designing resources rooted in engineering principles that deliver the product vision while ensuring product performance and product value. Your role is to manage and develop a highly functioning team of engineers to ensure seamless execution of department deliverables and collaboration with partnering R&D teams \n Your Responsibilities: Footwear Engineering: Lead a team of product engineers in the creation of footwear toolbox validation and publication of best practices from innovation to inline to adoption. Determine project scope and feasibility based on briefs creating project plans, identifying tools and resources to execute consumer insights or needs. This includes projects you own as well as managing and supporting a team through the brief stage into design, development, and commercialization. Identify the plans and projects required to execute strategies outlined to achieve organizational goals and adapt projects to changing conditions. Lead your own designated projects and oversee your team’s execution of large-scale, complex projects with significant business impact or projects incorporating new technology/ manufacturing techniques and defining the framework for how to execute cross collaborative objectives (franchise product, new technology, etc.). Lead a team of Footwear Product Engineers by establishing objectives, required deliverables and overseeing the successful execution of product strategy. Ensure all projects meet business goals and requirements including on–time delivery of wear test samples, sales samples, and production confirmation. Maintain a deep understanding of critical calendar deadlines and how they impact business decisions and objectives. Plan and oversee execution of projects according to the seasonal critical dates that lead to foundational support for product teams. Lead your team in acting as the technical authority for tooling blueprints (midsole and outsole) and upper patterns / shell patterns and as the resource for educating the product team in real-time on shell patterns. Grow their ability to critique, adjust and evaluate from a performance, manufacturing, and functional perspective. Ensure team continuous technical learning by staying informed about vendor capabilities, factory relationships, quality issues and lead times. Plan for Asia-based development trips, 3 - 4 per year, for yourself or the team to work with manufacturers and suppliers on existing and current development projects. Participate in account visits as needed domestic and international. Cross-Functional Collaboration and Alignment: Work collaboratively with Managers across Product Creation to establish guidelines to assign priority to projects and to monitor and adjust processes to meet the brand initiatives and demands. Ensure project plans support the needs of cross functional partners across the footwear department. Partner with and guide design and development leadership to ensure that designs are manufacturable and meet quality objectives of the organization. Partner with Biomechanics lab to assess optimization goals as well as document risks and update performance best practices. Connect the dots across all project requests and create project plans to ensure optimization of resources. See the ‘big picture’ as it relates to cross functional work streams. Initiate and lead meetings with product teams during various phases of development cycle to review, evaluate, update and ultimately drive the decision-making process that leads to on–time production confirmation. Organize and communicate new processes and workflows to the cross functional teams. People Management: Coach your team to gain an in-depth knowledge of the manufacturing process and an understanding of how to manipulate the process to advance and achieve manufacturing techniques to enhance the overall performance of product. Lead direct reports effectively with Brooks cultural values by mirroring Connect (our leadership development program) principles and methodology. Provide a collaborative, transparent, and rewarding team environment. Provide coaching and training for direct reports. Monitor team member performance, promote career development, and be proactive on team dynamics within the group. Own decisions related to day-to-day employee career, training, performance, etc. and provide recommendations to Footwear leadership on employee decisions such as compensation, promotions, hiring/termination. Accountability: Cultivate team accountability through management of resource planning and assignment of clear “by=whens.” Own the process and outcome for execution of deliverables to ensure on-time and on-budget. Ensure that documentation is developed and maintained for Footwear Engineering processes and programs. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Design, Biomechanics, or other applicable technical degrees or equivalent combination of education and experience. 7+ years of experience in a footwear development role, athletic/running experience preferred. Proven ability to create and maintain product creation calendar. 5+ years of proven success with project management skills. Ability to ‘connect the dots’ while creating project plans to ensure cross-collaboration across the business. 3+ years proven track record managing a high functioning team. Desire to support people in their career growth. Knowledge in construction processes, including outsole/midsole drawing, pattern engineering, material construction and properties, and costing is also expected. Demonstrated ability to create and conceive new ideas pertaining to the consumer, product line, and business. Outstanding communication skills, verbal and written. Keen attention to detail in planning, organization, and execution of tasks (self and through others), while still being able to see the big picture, how it relates to the business, and how all the pieces fit together and affect one another. Demonstrated ability to lead a process plan as well as ensure cross-functional alignment and collaboration, including the ability to develop highly positive relationships with individuals and teams that are made up of diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds, resulting in effective working relationships across the company and with customers. Expert ability to work professionally and effectively within the team, across departments, and with customers – connecting them together in their aligned execution of the product. Proven ability to influence, persuade, and negotiate to achieve alignment on project plans. High-level knowledge of footwear pattern engineering and manufacturing processes to ensure products meet the specific quality standards. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an advanced ability to communicate new ideas, concepts, and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders. Curious and open-minded; always open to a challenge, inventive, creative. With the ability to challenge the status quo, always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details. Strong computer skills, including experience with Illustrator, MS Office software, PLM software. Knowledge of FLEX (PLM) is a bonus. Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed. Embraces and lives the Brooks values! \n Compensation: The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $131,662 - $210,680 per year. Base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Other: Brooks is proud to offer a robust benefits package to our employees and their families! Benefits - Including medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance. Paid Time Off - Brooks offers generous time off, including three to five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, and paid sick and parental leave. Bonus - In addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance. Perks - Including product discounts, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits. Location- You will spend 3 days per week in our Seattle offices, as we believe our organization flourishes when connections, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and celebrations happen in person. At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.

Responsibilities

Lead a team of engineers in the footwear development process, ensuring projects meet business goals and timelines. Establish best practices and manage the execution of complex projects with significant business impact.