Senior Manager, Product Development - Footwear

Job Title:

Senior Manager, Product Development - Footwear

About Bombas:

Bombas is a comfort focused premium basics brand with a mission to help those in need. The company launched in 2013, after the founders learned that socks are the #1 most requested clothing item at homeless shelters. From there, they set out to solve that problem, donating a pair of socks for every pair they sell. How do you donate a lot of socks? You sell a lot. And how do you sell a lot? You make the most comfortable socks in the history of feet. Millions of pairs sold and donated later, Bombas has continued to innovate within its mission and product, introducing new socks, as well as underwear and t-shirts, the #2 and #3 most requested clothing items at homeless shelters, all while continuing to make a positive impact on the community where we all work and live.

Click here to see what it's like to work inside the Bombas Hive!

The word Bombas is derived from the Latin word for bumblebees. Bees work together to make their hive a better place. At Bombas, we’re inspired by that. We know it’s the collective efforts of our team that keeps the Hive alive and strong - a team that is diverse and inclusive. Different perspectives strengthen our ability to make the most comfortable versions of the products people wear closest to their bodies every day and to serve the communities where we all work and live. We are committed to continuously building a Hive where all are welcomed, seen, and heard regardless of age, color, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, genetics, physical or mental ability, protected veteran, status, race, religion and sexual orientation. As a team, we will strive to create room for different experiences and empower all voices.

Based on the specific needs and job requirements, this role will be working out of our Bombas HQ in New York City.

About the Job:

We are looking for a motivated leader and a team player to join our Sourcing team as our Senior Manager, Product Development - Footwear, reporting directly to our Vice President, Sourcing & Product Development. The ideal candidate has 10+ years of experience in footwear sourcing and development and 3+ years management experience. This is an opportunity to join a rapidly growing brand with a mission to help those in need. This position is responsible for the execution of footwear sourcing and product strategies to ensure that we create and produce premium products that meet our customer expectations. 

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Develop and execute footwear sourcing strategy to ensure capabilities and capacity and to align with design vision and financial goals. 
• Manage end-to-end product development process to make the best in class product from ideation through buy ready. 
• Responsible for product development, costing and processes of creating innovative products that meet the expectations of our customers. 
• Responsible for driving product engineering, technical construction and fit of each style.
• Lead the development of new materials, construction techniques, and processes that meet design, performance, fit, comfort and quality expectations. 
• Able to develop product to target FOB and minimums to ensure we hit or exceed our IMU targets
• Partner with the Production team to negotiate lead-times to support speed delivery to market. 
• Partner with the Quality team to create testing standards for footwear and approve development & production tests. 
• Identify potential risks in the supply chain and develop and execute mitigation plans. 
• Vendor assessment and onboarding new vendors to support business growth.
• Support Production and Quality teams on any product quality issues during production.
• Contribute to creating seasonal GTM calendar and manage seasonal calendar deadlines for footwear. 
• PLM System Expert - be able to utilize the system to efficiently execute job functions, find improvements and implement new features. Create and maintain guides/ SOPs.
• Manage PLM material library, BOMs, style templates. Execute product attributing in support of assortment sheet and PIM.
• Mentor to the cross-functional teams on footwear materials, construction, technology, quality, and costing.

What we’ll love about you:

• Strong knowledge of footwear construction, fit, materials, product development lifecycle, and manufacturing processes  
• A self-motivated, collaborative, positive minded individual passionate about footwear development, able to operate at all levels, and willing to take on challenges and problem solve
• Strong influencing skills & ability to collaborate with cross-functional partners and external partners
• Proficient computer skills in MS Office, Google Applications, Adobe Illustrator, and PLM
• A team player who is willing and happy to help
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Belief in our mission and understand the importance of giving-back
• Inquisitive, love to learn, embrace failure, and never give up
• Comfortable working in an open office environment while staying focused

What you’ll love about us:

• We are a team of smart, interesting, diverse, funny, and loving people.
• We offer competitive compensation, employer paid health, medical and dental benefits, 401k with match, paid parental leave, snacks, socks and a fun, relaxed office environment.
• We take the responsibility to make sure you are excited, happy, and find fulfillment in your work very seriously.
• We value fun. This is why we host office lunches, offsite team outings and company retreats.
• We believe in giving back to the community and helping those in need, which is why we volunteer as a team regularly.
• We believe success comes from the collective effort of all, which is why all full-time employees receive equity in the business.
• We offer flexible paid time off for all full-time employees. This includes over 20 paid company holidays and unlimited vacation, sick, and wellness days because we understand the value of health, relaxation, spending time with friends and family, and traveling the world.
• We understand the importance of communication and offer a monthly phone stipend for all full-time employees.
• We believe a healthy body equals a healthy mind, so we offer a $100 monthly wellbeing reimbursement to all full-time employees.

What you’ll bring:

• 10+ years of footwear sourcing and development experience and 3+ years of management experience
• Extensive knowledge of footwear development, costing, engineering and manufacturing.
• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering or related field with emphasis on consumer products; preferred.
• Proficiency in PLM, Google applications and/or MS Office; preferred 
• Ability to travel domestically and globally, up to 10% of the year

Bombas is committed to delivering competitive and equitable pay for our employees.

Each component of the Bombas total rewards package, including benefits and pay, is aimed at contributing to an environment where team members have resources to  manage their lives and are enabled to focus on doing their best work.

The pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $106,000 and $120,000/year. However, the base pay offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, market factors, and business need.

The Bombas total rewards package offered for this position may also include other elements, such as annual bonus and equity target award opportunities as well as medical, financial, and well-being benefits. Additional details of these benefits will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment.

If hired, the position is “at-will” and the Company reserves the right to modify any component, plan, or program of the total rewards package at any time, for any reason.