Raw Materials Developer, Footwear

Overview

The Raw Material Developer – Footwear is responsible for developing, engineering, and commercializing footwear materials (uppers, linings, reinforcements, foams, in socks, outsoles, adhesives, finishes, and trims) that meet brand design intent, performance, sustainability, cost, and manufacturability requirements. This role partners cross-functionally with Footwear Design, Product Development, Product Integrity/Quality, Sustainability, Sourcing, and Vendor Management to deliver materials that are scalable, compliant, and on-time for seasonal launches and core carryovers.

• Lead material development from concept through commercialization for footwear categories (e.g., training, studio, lifestyle, recovery).
• Source and evaluate new materials and technologies (knits, wovens, leather and alternatives, TPU/PU films, coatings, foams, rubber compounds, bio-based options).
• Translate design intent into technical material requirements: hand feel, stretch and recovery, abrasion, tear strength, color performance, bonding compatibility, durability, weight, and comfort.

• Define material specifications and test plans (lab and wear) to validate performance, safety, and durability.
• Partner with Product Integrity/Quality to ensure materials meet applicable standards and regulations (RSL, REACH, CPSIA/Prop 65 where applicable, footwear chemical restrictions, labeling requirements).
• Troubleshoot material and construction issues (e.g., delamination, cracking, yellowing, hydrolysis risk, color migration, odor, tackiness, compression set, slip performance, outsole bloom) and drive corrective actions with suppliers.
• Ensure color and shade consistency across materials and factories; support lab dip/strike-off approvals and bulk production continuity.

• Own material cost targets and negotiate with suppliers (pricing, MOQs, rebates, tooling where relevant); support should-cost and cost-driver breakdowns when feasible.
• Maintain on-time material readiness aligned to development calendars and critical milestones.

• Develop strategic supplier relationships (tanneries, textile mills, compounders, foam suppliers, component vendors) and maintain a qualified vendor matrix.
• Lead supplier onboarding and capability assessments; align on quality systems, traceability, and compliance expectations.
• Communicate clearly with internal partners: provide options, trade-offs, and decision recommendations (cost vs. performance vs. sustainability vs. speed).
• Document decisions and maintain development trackers, sample logs, and issue resolution records.

• Create and maintain complete material documentation: specifications, BOM inputs, test reports, certificates, MSDS/TDS, compliance documentation, color standards, and change history.
• Ensure PLM (or equivalent system) accuracy for material codes, attributes, supplier mapping, pricing, lead times, and approval status.
• Build standardized material playbooks for core constructions and seasonal updates.

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Footwear Engineering, Industrial Design, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of raw material development experience in footwear (preferred) or adjacent categories (bags/accessories/performance apparel) with strong footwear material exposure.
• Proven experience developing materials for uppers and/or bottoms (rubber/TPU/EVA/PU foams) and understanding of bonding and lamination systems.
• Working knowledge of footwear testing and common failure modes (abrasion, flex/crack, hydrolysis risk, adhesion/bond strength, compression set, slip resistance, colorfastness, accelerated aging).
• Experience with global supplier management and commercialization in a multi-factory environment.
• Proficiency in PLM and Excel; able to build trackers, dashboards, and clear development summaries.
• Strong technical judgment with the ability to diagnose issues quickly and propose practical solutions.
• Clear communication: able to translate technical details into decision-ready trade-offs and recommendations.
• Program management: organized,…