HOKA Lead Product Developer - Innovation

OPERATIONS AND DELIVERY

• Lead Innovation development activities for assigned Innovation and Sports Marketing projects to ensure products meet the brand & athlete needs and are fully commercialized successful proof of concepts prior to in-line adoption.
• Analyze Tech-Packs and revisions to provide US Innovation Design and Development teams with alternative suggestions in constructions and materials to elevate innovation offerings.
• Provide technical support to both US and Asia Innovation Development, Design and Engineering teams to address issues as they arise related to product constructions, quality and performance.
• Interpret and analyze fit, wear, material and product testing to identify areas of potential risk and provide proactive solutions to elevate product performance and quality.
• Work closely with Sports Marketing to provide athletes the most technical and highest quality footwear.
• Ensure on-time completion of the highest quality product samples.
• Update and maintain correct Bill of Materials (BOM) for assigned projects.
• Drive the timely creation, delivery, approval and retention of all relevant technical information (shell patterns, 2D's, 3D's, lasts, patterns, blue-prints, cost sheets, etc.)
• Responsible for resolving day-to-day issues with suppliers such as pattern revisions, on-time delivery, material testing, quality and performance.
• Provide timely updates and clear status of innovation projects' commercialization progress to provide in-line teams visibility to when projects are available for in-line adoption.

COLLABORATION AND TEAM BUILDING

• Develop and maintain productive, effective and professional relationships with peers, superiors, factories, and others. Always represent the company in a positive and supportive manner.
• Work closely with functional departments within the BU (such as costing, factory planning, fit, mold lead) and the central functions outside the BU (such as SCOE, PST, RTB, Bottoms Team and Lab).
• Facilitate communication & collaboration with key stakeholders including US Innovation Development, Design and in-line teams to drive decision-making and problem solving.
• Be a trusted partner of Development, Commercialization, Engineering, QA, Production, US HQ and Business Unit leaders. Provide regular updates, meeting updates, tracking reports, weekly team meetings, and other business updates as needed.
• Mentor and train both Deckers and factory partners’ staff as necessary.

TRAINING

• Travel to factories, suppliers, product fairs, summits and US HQ as necessary.
• Proactively seek, evaluate and understand innovative materials, components, technologies, products and methods of make relevant to the industry and share insights with the US Innovation teams to influence the ideation process and elevate product offerings.
• Attend training classes, workshops, conferences and summits to acquire and enhance relevant technical skills.

Education/Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Material Science, Textile Engineering or equivalent work experience.

Work Experience:

• 8-10+ years development or innovation experience in the footwear industry for a global performance company.
• In-depth knowledge of material applications for product use
• In-depth knowledge of product constructions
• In-depth knowledge of compound development and intended use applications
• In-depth knowledge of SATRA material testing standards, testing protocols, applications and methods of make for Footwear constructions and assembly.
• In-depth knowledge of Development calendars and expected deliverables at key milestones
• In-depth knowledge of material sustainability initiatives.

Skills/Competencies:

• Effective communicator and a good problem solver
• Driven for excellence, a self-starter and leader
• Ability to plan with foresight and anticipate impact of expected results
• Ability to work in a multi-tasked, fast paced environment with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work in a complex global organization satisfying the needs of diverse constituents with competing deadlines and priorities.
• Ability to effectively prepare and present information and respond to questions from Senior management, HQ team and other employees of the organization.
• In-depth knowledge of lasts, molds, compound development, foot anatomy
• In-depth knowledge of the tools of the trade including calipers, hardness gauge, tape measure, profile gauge, Brannock device, etc.
• In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Applications and PLM systems
• Excellent written and verbal English skills
• Excellent written and verbal Mandarin skills are preferred

Benefits and entitlements will be discussed during the interview.