Timberland: Associate Developer, Footwear

Associate Developer, Footwear (Timberland)

A day in the life of an Associate Footwear Developer at Timberland looks a little like this.

You will ensure on‑time and accurate prototype samples throughout seasonal milestones that meet cost targets and are suitable for production. You will maintain all required documentation and product integrity with respect to last development, upper development, mold development, and material and component development.

• Project Management
• Manage assigned color‑up and low‑complexity new upper and totally new projects.
• Execute all details from line start to commercialization to achieve on‑time buy‑ready.
• Concentrate on low‑ to medium‑complexity projects with the opportunity for exposure to increasingly complex projects.
• Pre‑cost assigned projects.
• Sample Management – monitor, track, organize and distribute development samples, including fit samples.
• Manage assigned projects in accordance with the seasonal development calendar and commercialization calendar.
• Shadow team members for totally new and future concept/platform development to increase knowledge.
• Participate in overseas handover meetings.
• Work with the 3D CAD, development and engineering teams to learn and understand the mold development process.
• Fit – shadow engineering to learn and understand the fit process along with the blueprint and last development process.
• Testing – review material testing reports to educate yourself on Timberland’s quality requirements under the guidance of the engineering, product development, and materials teams.
• Assist team with submitting, monitoring and learning about finished shoe performance testing.
• Lasts – develop an understanding of last development in conjunction with Development and Engineering.
• Fully support team with accurate product line management (PLM) data entry.
• Maintain and update SharePoint/One Note seasonal tracking files with accuracy.

• Work with the development team as needed on all aspects of product creation.
• Participate in product‑related meetings including cross‑functional team meetings, product reviews, seasonal materials, and tear‑down meetings.
• Develop competitive intelligence and market awareness.
• Participate in all fit trials.
• Partner with the development team and engineering on seasonal last development as assigned.
• Shadow the development team and engineers to learn the development cycle, blueprints and last development process and relevant constructions.
• Demonstrate desire, motivation and a passion to increase depth of knowledge and become an asset to the team.
• Shadow and engage with team on projects in The Shed and participate in required VF professional development classes.
• Develop strong internal connections with the greater Product Creation organization:
  Costing, Materials, Production, the VF Asia organization, Quality Assurance, Customs, Design, Merchandising, Ace, Engineering, Lab, and CAD.

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundational skills you’ll need to succeed and excel.

Additionally, while formal education in a related field such as a bachelor’s degree, preferably in Fashion Merchandising, Engineering, Industrial Design or a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 1–3 years of footwear development experience and professional achievements.

• The agility and enthusiasm to work in a fast‑paced environment with cross‑functional teams while handling multiple tasks.
• Strong analytic and problem‑solving skills.
• Flexibility, open to change.
• The competence to work independently.
• A collaborative interaction style across multiple functions.
• A strong desire to increase your footwear development knowledge.
• Quantitative and PC skills, product line management experience preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The capability to organize information and effectively communicate with our multi‑lingual teams.
• An interest in hands‑on footwear‑making is a plus; you’ll have access to our Maker Space to allow for learning and building alongside the design team.
• The ability to travel as required to:
• Overseas manufacturing…