Senior Innovation Developer, Asia

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:

·  Runner First  

We act in the best interest of the runner

· Word is Bond

We do what we say we’ll do

· Champion Heart  

We give our all in everything we do

·  There is no “I” in Run

We stay generous with our humanity

· Keep Moving

We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement — because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.

The Brooks Innovation team is a group of world-class innovative minds collectively focused on improving the performance running experience through product, experiential and biomechanical innovation. They constantly challenge assumptions of how products are made and together they shape the future of running footwear. They stretch the limits of science and human performance with every innovation and are relentlessly focused on changes that benefit the Brooks runner. They pioneer relationships with manufacturing partners and suppliers, uncovering new partnerships with global industry leaders to create innovations and bring new Brooks innovations to life. The Innovation team operates across the full range of product creation, merchandising, brand strategy, sourcing and new business development to relentlessly pursue methods to make better-performing, higher-quality and sustainable products faster and more efficiently than ever before.

As our Senior Innovation Footwear Developer, Asia, you will utilize your advanced product and process knowledge to manage the product development process for innovation programs that will drive the future of Brooks Running. You will work with a global, cross-functional product creation team from the collection of insights through commercialization to deliver products that deliver new running experiences and exceed runner expectations. You will create and manage project timelines across the innovation triad driving the research, prototyping and validation of ideas through the i2R (innovation-to-runner) process delivering ready for in-line product and technologies. You will work with strategic partners outside of Brooks to cultivate new ideas and deliver groundbreaking products that challenge and shape the future of running.

As the Senior Innovation Footwear Developer, Asia, at Brooks, you will be a key leader in the Footwear Innovation Team to drive execution of innovation projects through all phases of the project Phase Gate process. You will drive the innovation development process from concept to in-line technology transfer and commercialization. You will work with cross-functional and global innovation creation teams to research and develop new technologies, explore new designs processes, constructions and methods to create cutting edge footwear that runners will love, with the lowest environmental impact possible. You will be part of the Footwear Innovation process, including sample material acquisition, prototype building and validation, factory collaboration and driving process improvement. This role will act as a positive driving force in the innovation process and impacts business results by discovering new potentials in footwear performance and manufacturing and contributing to our long-term innovation strategy. You will be responsible for generating and communicating ideas, concepts and project status to managers and the Innovation Lead Triad. In this role you’ll partner closely with more junior members of the Footwear Innovation team to hone their technical footwear expertise.

Your Responsibilities:

• Ability to oversee and manage multiple complex cross-functional innovation projects from Brief & Exploration through Design, Development & Validation and into Commercialization & Manufacturing
• Create and execute project development plans/ schedules according to the strategic critical dates that lead to on–time delivery of samples, portfolio reviews, validation, technology transfers and final product/ technology confirmation.
• Manage the prototyping, testing and validation of concepts through your advanced problem solving and product creation skills which include: pattern making and construction techniques; blueprints, mold creation and midsole/ outsole creation; Lab, fit, wear and biomechanical testing and specification; and manufacturing processes used in the creation of our product.
• Partner with design, PLMs, engineering, manufacturing and vendor/ partners to ensure that products exceed runner expectations, are manufacturable and meet performance and quality objectives of the organization.
• Display an in-depth knowledge of the manufacturing process with the ability to manipulate the process in order to advance and achieve new manufacturing techniques which enhance the overall performance and efficiency of product.
• Lead/ Participate in frequent development trips to work with manufacturers and suppliers on existing and current development projects.
• Proactively recommend and specify to product team the material, component and construction options to meet product’s functional goals, as well as assure product performance integrity through product testing (physical and field testing
• Initiate and lead meetings with product teams during various phases of development to review, evaluate, update and ultimately drive the decision-making process that leads to on–time production confirmation and margin goals.
• Create and build a knowledge base and stay informed about vendor capabilities and performance, factory relationships, quality issues, materials pricing and lead times.
• Execute the innovation product development role by delivering on Brooks’ Fit, Feel, Ride and Crafted Beauty principles on multiple, concurrent projects via an unwavering dedication to always deliver excellence.
• Provide leadership to Design and Product Line Management teams to uncover new ways that innovative materials and designs can be manufacturable and meet project goals and performance, sustainability, cost and quality objectives.
• Ensure product performance integrity by working with Product Validation teams to determine testing needs/criteria, explore new test methods, understand results and make decisions based on learnings.
• Identify and partner with vendors, factories, and the Sourcing team to discover and advance new manufacturing techniques which enhance the overall performance of product.
• Partner with Sustainability teams to discover new materials and manufacturing processes that meet and exceed brand goals.
• Identify, recommend and specify to project team the material, component and construction options to meet pricing targets and product’s functional goals, as well as ensure product performance integrity through product testing (physical and field testing).
• Partner with legal teams to initiate Intellectual Property reviews and drive positive working and contractual relationships with new partners.
• Own sample management for assigned projects, including receipt and distribution of all samples, sample checking, and communicating updates to all teammates.
• Assist Asia Innovation Development team in creating and maintaining technical packages and Bills of Materials (BOM’s) for assigned projects.
• Ensure product quality by collaborating with Engineering and Quality Assessment teams at all stages of the creation process.
• Critique, adjust and evaluate technical blueprints (outsole/ midsole/ upper), upper patterns and materials from a performance, manufacturing, and functional perspective.
• Lead/ Participate in frequent development trips to work with manufacturers and suppliers on existing and current development projects.
• Create and build a knowledge base and stay informed about vendor capabilities and performance, factory relationships, quality issues, materials pricing and lead times.
• Own project management role for multiple complex Blueline, Athlete, Advanced Development, and Future Concepts projects from Brief Phase through Design, Development, and delivery to In-line, Commercialization, or other Innovation teams
• Lead team execution of innovation projects from Briefing to Tech Transfer
• Plan and execute projects according to project critical dates that lead to on–time delivery of project goals.
• Effectively communicate with Factory and Asia Development teams to share product expectations and product details that lead to on time delivery of samples.
• Lead and ensure good communication between core innovation team members, subject matter experts, external partners and leadership.
• Initiate and lead meetings with project teams during various phases of development to review, evaluate, update and ultimately drive the decision-making process that leads to on–time project delivery and cost goals.
• Understand when to bring in additional support to continue to drive product decisions forward.
• Lead and run assigned research and development programs from concept through design, development, testing, validation and confirmation of new technologies, products and programs.
• Execute high level, complex innovation programs to deliver state of the art of technologies and products complete with best practices and technology transfer documentation to facilitate seamless transitions into the in-line process.
• Continuously grow knowledge of the product creation and manufacturing processes, allowing for new ideas that will enhance product performance.
• Identify opportunities to streamline or improve current operations and create, implement, and communicate new processes and techniques to the cross functional teams.
• Keep abreast of market trends, new technologies and consumer needs to ensure that products incorporate the functional needs of our consumers’ demand.
• Training of more junior team members and Asia Innovation Development on our innovation processes
• Act as an expert resource for other Footwear Team members with an aptitude for coaching and mentoring.
• Display an expert understanding of the manufacturing process with the ability to modify the process to advance and achieve new manufacturing techniques which improve the overall performance of product.
• Anticipate downstream effect of decisions as it relates to product and project management. Be proactive in solutions to mitigate delays.
• Act as an expert resource for other Footwear Team members with an aptitude for coaching and mentoring.
• Lead large-scale, complex projects with significant business impact or projects incorporating new technology/ manufacturing techniques (franchise product, new technology, etc.).
• Act as proxy for Development Manager as needed.
• Continuous learning of Brooks Fit, Feel & Ride manufacturing best practices.
• Manage strategic vendor relationships including assessments and corrective actions.
• Work with the Innovation Managers to further improve and implement the Innovation process with all its steps and milestones.
• Mentor and train all junior development personnel in technical product development skills.
• Manage up to 1 junior developer as needed.

Your Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Material Science, Biomechanics or other applicable technical degrees.
• 7+ successful years of experience leading the product development of high-performance footwear projects.
• 5+ years of footwear innovation experience
• Technical expertise in footwear product development with an advanced knowledge of the total footwear construction process including; outsole/midsole drawing, pattern engineering, material construction, testing and costing.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing capabilities, anticipating issues, problem solving with timely resolution.
• Proven ability to lead and influence in a collaborative, cross-functional group without command/ control to meet strategic objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to develop highly productive relationships with individuals and teams that are made up of diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds resulting in effective working relationships across the company.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an advanced ability to communicate new ideas, concepts and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders. Presentation skills. Professional knowledge of PowerPoint, Miro, Keynote or other electronic means to communicate new concepts or ideas. Technical writing capability a plus.
• Keen attention to detail in planning, organization and execution of tasks (self and through others), while still seeing the big picture and understanding how all of the pieces fit together and affect one another.
• Ability to anticipate how a decision made can affect our customers, our partners, our products or other departments’ operations and/or morale; “connecting the dots.”
• Curious and open minded; always open for a challenge, inventive, creative. With the ability to challenge the status quo – always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details.
• Strong computer skills including experience with Illustrator, MS Office software.
• Proven ability to lead and influence in collaborative, team oriented and complex global environments.
• Passionate participation in Brooks’ sports activities a plus, overridden by the ability to understand and empathize with the runner in order to develop loyal, engaging relationships with our customers and the Brooks community.
• Embraces and lives the Brooks values!

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.