Key Accountabilities:                                                                                                                                  

•  Influences and drives category direction and speed programs to bring products faster to market.Researches and formulates options to deliver price/value whilst maintaining core product brief needs 

• Manages and develops relations with T2 supply base to support localization, speed to market, meeting material pricing targets and materials quality 

• Close relationship and working with T1 generating new working practices to advance delivery against timelines  

• Generates and provides technical support and training for junior members within the organization 

• Devises and drives the product process and leverages category sourcing strategy to deliver new material and design innovation while meeting gross margin/ profitability objectives 

• Nurtures, guides and challenges cross functional departments to ensure product excellence  

• Ensures all product milestones are achieved in a fast paced creation process and establishes better working practices to advance processes 

• Develops and improves  processes with a goal to drive leading product process with speed and efficiency.  Always innovating with speed and flexibility 

• Drives collaboration with Global Strategic Hub, Design, Development, Sourcing, T1/T2 Suppliers 

• Build experience in managing direct reports, developing their functional and social skills; ensure clear and structured on boarding process for new team members  

Knowledge Skills and Abilities: 

• Extensive footwear product knowledge scope across a variety of silhouettes with experience in development, working knowledge of product marketing, costing, materials and how to work best with T1 and T2 suppliers  

• Ability to work with and influence all levels of the organization as well as aligning external partners with Core strategy (factory, suppliers) 

• Comprehensive knowledge of shoe building from design sketch phase to ex-factory 

• Strong business acumen in channel distribution, net sales, margin, profit and inventory (commercially driven trade channel) 

• Thrive in a fast paced product creation environment 

• Knowledge of footwear concepts in construction/development a necessity 

• Good numerical skills with the ability to negotiate 

• Seeks to redefine processes and find new and innovative angles to product creation with an emphasis on speed 

• Ability to effectively present to groups, including members of all organizational levels 

• Skill in MS Office applications (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word) 

• Basic leadership skills  

• Ability to travel internationally for consumer trend research and internal meetings and presentations 

Qualifications (Minimum required education and experience):  

• University degree or above. 

• Minimum five (3) years related experience  

• Equivalent education and/or experience may be substituted for degree 

• Experience in Footwear Development, Sourcing a necessity and marketing an advantage 

• Fluent in english