5d ago

Senior Engineer, Sourcing Development, Footwear

IndiaRemoteFull-timesenior

Other

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Quick Summary

Key Responsibilities

Manage product development processes with Tier 1 and Tier 2 manufacturing partners across all sample stages. Inspect and evaluate development samples,

Technical Tools

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As a Senior Engineer, Sourcing Development, Footwear, you will oversee the technical development and commercialization of footwear products, ensuring quality standards and delivery milestones are consistently achieved. You will coordinate development activities across manufacturing partners, manage sample approvals, and support production readiness throughout the product creation calendar. Working closely with factories and cross-functional teams, you will help translate product requirements into high-quality, cost-effective manufacturing solutions. You will identify technical risks, resolve construction and performance challenges, and drive continuous improvements in productivity, automation, and quality. Your expertise will contribute to successful product launches while maintaining design integrity and compliance with established standards. This role offers an opportunity to influence footwear development and manufacturing processes in an international environment.

In this role, you will manage footwear development and commercialization activities, ensuring that products meet technical, quality, cost, and delivery expectations. Your responsibilities will include:

Manage product development processes with Tier 1 and Tier 2 manufacturing partners across all sample stages.
Inspect and evaluate development samples, including sales samples from different countries of origin.
Coordinate development activities for new bottoms and uppers, color variations, fit approvals, material testing, wear testing, swatch sign-offs, and cost approvals.
Plan and manage the Buy Ready process at the SKU level, ensuring alignment with product creation milestones.
Communicate product specifications, technical requirements, and performance expectations clearly to vendors.
Identify and resolve issues related to product construction, performance, costing, and manufacturing processes.
Coordinate factory capacity planning and material purchasing in line with production calendars.
Review technical packages and verify pattern grading and tooling readiness.
Confirm sample-size patterns and molds for salesman samples.
Support the preparation and development of production specifications.
Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives and improvements in efficiency, automation, and product quality.
Conduct Tech 2 trials and validate fit and wear-testing results.
Introduce new products and communicate potential quality risks during teardown and New Product Introduction (NPI) meetings.
Provide technical support during pre-production and production phases as needed.
Collaborate with factories and cross-functional teams to maintain product quality, integrity, and on-time delivery.

Requirements

~1 min read

The ideal candidate has strong technical expertise in footwear development and manufacturing, combined with practical experience managing commercialization processes and working with international suppliers. You should be able to identify technical challenges, build effective factory relationships, and balance product quality, design requirements, and cost considerations. The following qualifications and skills are expected:

Experience in footwear or related product development, commercialization, pre-production, and production within a multinational organization.
Required experience working with branded footwear products.
Deep technical knowledge of footwear categories, construction methods, and material properties.
Basic understanding of automation and computer stitching technologies used in upper pattern construction.
General knowledge of last making, footwear measurements, and mold and bottom inspection.
Ability to integrate technical applications and manufacturing solutions without compromising product design or cost objectives.
Strong ability to identify product quality and integrity risks and recommend effective corrective actions.
Experience coordinating with factories, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders throughout product development and production.
Strong relationship-building, communication, and collaboration skills.
Good command of English, both written and spoken.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel.
Willingness and ability to travel as required.
Demonstrated alignment with values such as integrity, courage, curiosity, empathy, and perseverance.