Director of Product Development and Sourcing

Manitobah is dedicated to a greater cultural diversity throughout our business operations and hiring process. Manitobah is committed to hiring Indigenous employees wherever possible.

Do you have a deep appreciation for Indigenous arts, cultures, and history and a passion for leading the creation and sourcing of exceptional footwear? If so, we want you to join our team!

The Director of Product Development and Sourcing is a leadership role responsible for overseeing the end-to-end process of product creation, sourcing, and bringing new products to market. This position involves leading cross-functional teams, driving innovation, and ensuring that product development efforts align with Manitobah’s overall business objectives.

The incumbent must have a working understanding and deep appreciation for Indigenous arts, cultures, and history. The incumbent should be initiative-taking and enthusiastic, able to work in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple tasks and collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.

Manitobah offers a comprehensive total compensation package which includes an annual base salary, group benefits, flexible work hours, generous paid time off, 50% discount on our retail products, professional development, and our newest benefit offering called Group Savings Program.

This position is hybrid/remote. The incumbent will be required to report to our Headquarters, located at The Forks in Winnipeg, Manitoba as directed.

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer.

Key Relationships: Product Development, internal and external stakeholders.

Direct Reports: Yes.

• Lead the product development and sourcing function with an emphasis on enduring, innovative, and profitable product lines.
• Demonstrate ability to align product vision with overarching business goals and execute strategic initiatives.
• Develop and execute product creation strategy, product calendar, and roadmaps to meet timelines, budgets, and quality standards for commercial release.
• Translate consumer insights, market trends, and technical expertise into designs and products to deliver exceptional footwear to the market that can sell effectively to target audiences.
• Drive new and innovative designs, materials, and construction into manufacturable and commercially viable finished products that align with Manitobah’s strategy and goals.
• Monitor, inspect, and communicate progress and challenges throughout the product testing process to meet product integrity requirements to Quality Assurance and compliance.
• Define and advise on supplier & factory needs and innovations to improve product quality, cost and/or efficiency.
• Maintain and develop relationships with vendors, evaluating capabilities of existing suppliers; support Sourcing to vet new suppliers as required.
• Negotiate prices at prototype stage to achieve the best possible margin for all product initiatives while leading cost reduction.
• Champion Manitobah’s B-Corp certification, ensuring to collaborate with suppliers, designers, and other teams to ensure products meet sustainability criteria.

• Advanced knowledge of concepts, principles, methods and techniques of production and transformation, including factory production, manual and mechanical processes.
• Advanced knowledge of technical design concepts, principles, methods, techniques, and tools involved in the creation and production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings or models.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively while working with cross-functional teams internally and externally in a fast-paced environment.

• Minimum 10 years of progressive product development and sourcing experience is required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in footwear development is required.
• Minimum 3 years of management preferred.
• Experience in developing footwear product directly with factories; understanding development from concept through manufacturing is required.
• Work experience and technical understanding of waterproof constructions and materialization is preferred.
• Proficiency in utilizing Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office, PLM and PM tools.

• A bachelor’s degree in Product Development, Engineering, Merchandising or related area is required.
• Continued education and experience in sustainability, sustainable product development, sustainable and ethical sourcing and disposal are preferred.

A combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Some domestic and international travel may be required; incumbent must have a current, valid passport or the ability to obtain one.
• Hybrid work environment: flexibility and availability to work across multiple time zones is required.
• Ability to lift and move up to 35 pounds.