Lead, Materials Developer - Footwear Innovation

Laceless Design; Baltimore (OH); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid UA Give Back Volunteer Days

Under Armour Merchandise Discounts

Competitive 401(k) plan matching

Maternity and Parental Leave

Health & fitness benefits

Job summary

Under Armour is seeking a Lead Footwear Material Developer in Baltimore. This senior role partners across Footwear Innovation, Material Development, Product Development, Design, and Testing to deliver advanced upper technology platforms and sustainable materials.

You will drive technology transfers to inline production, align projects with the materials supply chain, and mentor junior staff while traveling to partner locations and industry events.

Qualifications

• Ten+ years in material development or design for footwear.
• Strong communication with global vendors and cross-functional teams.
• Experience leading mentoring of junior teammates.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Footwear Innovation and Product Development to advance upper technologies.
• Drive technology transfers from concept to palette-ready status.
• Coordinate with suppliers and in-country Innovation teams on trials.
• Mentor junior teammates and communicate project status clearly.

Skills

Material development

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Travel willingness

Education

Degree in Mechanical or Textile Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Suite

Adobe Illustrator

Keynote

Job description

Values & Innovation

At Under Armour, we are committed to empowering those who strive for more, and the company's values - Act Sustainably, Celebrate the Wins, Fight on Together, Love Athletes and Stand for Equality - serve as both a roadmap for our teams and the qualities expected of every teammate.

Our Values define and unite us, the beliefs that are the red thread that connects everyone at Under Armour. Our values are rallying cries, reminding us why we're here, and fueling everything we do.

Our pursuit of better begins with innovation and with our team's mission of being the best. With us, you get the freedom to go further - no matter your role. That means developing, delivering, and selling the state-of-the-art products and digital tools that make top performers even better.

Purpose of Role

The Footwear Material Developer, Lead – is a highly dynamic material developer position which demands intimatecollaboration internally with Footwear Innovation, Material Development, Product Development, Product, Design, &the Testing Council (field testing, lab testing, biomechanics) as well as externally with UA’s strategic Tier 1, 2, & 3suppliers. Fundamentally, the function of this role is to support the Director of Footwear Materials - in deliveringadvanced upper technology platforms and material sustainability solutions from concept to palette-ready status foradoption across the category product engines.As a member of the footwear material team, your responsibilities will include driving technology transfers to inlinefor commercialization. This role is responsible for supporting and aligning projects with the UA operationalinfrastructure and world class footwear material supply chain.The Lead will focus on Footwear but will also have opportunities to touch all parts of the brand and have access tolatest technologies and innovations. This is an opportunity to be part of a great success story as Under Armour buildsand grows their Footwear legacy.

Your Impact

• Research and partner with global ingredient suppliers to explore and ideate beyond the footwear industry in search of new knowledge and ideas that push and challenge the future of Footwear Innovation and circularity
• Initiating new vendor partnerships or material technology developments based on white space opportunities identified by Consumer Insights and articulated in Innovations 5-year plan (5YP)
• Developing new material and component test methodologies/specifications to quantify upper technology performance against the diverse product needs of the focused performer
• When necessary, developing novel QC test methodology to ensure the successful transition of novel upper technologies in partnership with the Proving Grounds Lab and Sourcing team
• Coordinating and evaluating feasibility production trials in partnership with the supplier and in-countryInnovation teams
• Tracking against all Proven & Tested requirements and collaborating with inline product teams to ensureall critical information is communicated during transition (such as unique test requirements, costing,minimum order quantities, lead times, process constraints)
• Documenting via data entry all material information and test data in the Centric PLM material librarysystem
• Supporting the evolution of existing Innovation platforms to ensure their successful longevity in thelifecycle plans
• Partnering with the Business Process team to ensure projects are properly accounted for and advancedthrough the Innovation Pipeline
• Cultivating direct communication with pinnacle UA athletes as a means of garnering unfiltered productfeedback and rich athlete need insights
• Traveling to our partners global manufacturing locations to facilitate project completion and foster deeperpartnership
• Traveling to global industry events/conferences to keep a pulse on the latest industry trends and gainexposure to new materials for manufacturing processes
• Manage data on the current status of footwear innovation developments and help to coordinate projects
• Prioritize work based on calendars; innovation platforms and operating model
• Sets stretch personal goals and achieves them
• Meet with product teams and communicate project status
• Compile information and create detail-oriented presentations
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external partners
• Mentor more junior Footwear Material Developer teammates

Qualifications

• Proficient in textile, synthetic leather and leather classifications and the corresponding testing as well asknowledge of post processes such as no sew, printing and molding
• General knowledge in footwear construction and design process
• Well-informed of sustainability material innovations
• Familiar with more complex concepts and possesses advanced skills and functional understanding of thesubject matter and technical requirements of the relevant functional area
• Understanding of scientific method and the ability to objectively analyze raw data and present technicalinformation to diverse audiences
• Strong communication skills both verbal and written, with the ability to successfully communicate withvendors from around the world and difference cultural backgrounds.
• Strong project management, process and organization skills. The ability to effectively manage manydifferent tasks and overlapping deadlines. Ability to adapt quickly and pick up new systems and processes.
• An understanding of how to secure the best possible outcomes for UA Footwear, which include things likecosting, managing intra-vendor or vendor-to-factory relationships
• Basic math skills related to consumer goods as well as calculating interest, percentages, area,circumference, volume, etc.
• The ability to define problem, collect data, and draw rational conclusions as well as recommend cost savingsolutions
• A great team player who embraces the Company values in their everyday interactions
• Program Experience: Microsoft Suite, Adobe, Illustrator, and Keynote
• Ability to travel internationally
• Ten or more years of material development or material design, material sourcing or similar fields with anemphasis on material testing, and footwear product creation
• Degree in Mechanical or Textile Engineering preferred
• Leadership/Managing/Mentoring

Workplace Location

• Location: This individual must reside within commuting distance from our Baltimore HQ office.
• Work Schedule: This role follows a hybrid work schedule, requiring 4 days in-office per week.
• Travel: 5-10% of the year
• Licenses/Certifications: N/A
• Sponsorship Eligibility: UA does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based work authorization for this position at this time.

Relocation

• No relocation provided

Base Compensation

$110,000.00-$150,000.00USD

Most new hires fall within this range and have the opportunity to earn more over time. Initial placement within the salary range, however, is based on an individual's relevant knowledge, skills and experience for the position. UA is committed to helping our teammates succeed and advance in their careers. Base salary is only one component of our competitive Total Rewards package.

Benefits & Perks

• Paid UA Give Back Volunteer Days: Work alongside your team to support initiatives in your local community
• Under Armour Merchandise Discounts
• Competitive 401(k) plan matching
• Maternity and Parental Leave for eligible and FMLA-eligible teammates
• Health & fitness benefits, discounts and resources- We offer teammates across the country programs to promote physical activity and overall well-being

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity

At Under Armour, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, family or paternal status and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Under Armour seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people representing a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact our Human Resources team via [e-mail].