Principal, Running Footwear Product Developer

Global Sports Jobs Limited; Pahokee (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Nike is seeking an experienced leader in footwear product creation to drive development from concept through commercialization. You will partner with Footwear Innovation, Engineering, Materials, Design and Factory teams to ensure timely, high-quality launches that meet design intent and athlete performance goals.

You will influence senior leaders, manage complex cross-functional programs, and collaborate with overseas partners to bring game-changing footwear to market.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field; educated, experienced and adaptable.
• Minimum of 8+ years directly applicable work experience.
• Strong communication and influencing abilities with senior leaders.
• Proven experience delivering footwear innovation projects to retail.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Nike footwear teams across innovation, engineering and design.
• Coordinate with overseas partners and manage communications during product development.
• Navigate Nike processes to align with development standards and timelines.
• Drive decisions to meet design vision, athlete performance and product excellence.
• Partner with design, engineering, materials and factories to push solutions.
• Lead transition of projects from innovation to commercialization and retail.

Skills

High-profile communication

Influencing skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Product Development or Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Marketing, Industrial Design or related field

Tools

Nike product creation software

Job description

About the Role

This role works collaboratively with key functional partners throughout the product development process, including Footwear Innovation, Footwear Engineering, Footwear Product Testing, Footwear Material Design and Material Development, Product Design, Product Management, Product Merchandising, Sourcing and Operations, Manufacturing, and overseas partners within and external to Nike. It serves as a key point of contact for overseas partners and ensures clear, accurate communication during product development. The role transitions footwear innovation projects from Nike's innovation team through development to retail, driving commercialisation and ensuring successful launch to market. It sits within the Footwear Product Creation team and acts as an active thought partner with Design, Product Management, Engineering, Materials, and Factory Product Creation Teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with key functional partners throughout the product development process, including Footwear Innovation, Footwear Engineering, Footwear Product Testing, Footwear Material Design and Material Development, Product Design, Product Management, Product Merchandising
• Sourcing and Operations, Manufacturing, and overseas partners within and external to Nike.
• Navigate the Nike matrix to ensure processes model and match Nike's Footwear Development standard methodologies for product excellence.
• Serve as the key point of contact for overseas partners and ensure communication during the product development process is clear and accurate.
• Inform, drive and facilitate decisions throughout the product creation process to meet or exceed the design vision, athlete performance and product excellence.
• Act as an active thought partner with Design, Product Management, Engineering, Materials, and Factory Product Creation Teams to develop processes and tools that push boundaries and create solutions supporting the creation of Nike's game-changing footwear products.
• Transition footwear innovation projects from Nike's innovation team through development to retail.
• Drive development through commercialisation and ensure successful launch to market.
• Identify novel solutions while creating innovative product and bringing it to market.
• Deliver transformative product that excites and delights Nike athletes and consumers.
• Achieve timely manufacturability of quality and crafted, tested and validated, sustainable and efficient products that meet or exceed performance criteria and design intent.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Product Development or Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Marketing, Industrial Design or related field; any suitable combination of education, experience, and training will be accepted.
• Minimum of 8+ years directly applicable work experience.
• High profile communication and influencing skills, including the ability to interact and update leaders on status to ensure alignment.
• Consistent track record of pulling together diverse individuals with conflicting priorities, while identifying a path forward and championing alignment.
• Prior experience in delivering footwear innovation projects through transition, commercialisation and to retail.
• Ability to anticipate and solve complex footwear manufacturing issues with Asia teammates to ensure mass production can achieve quality and craftsmanship standards.
• Proficient understanding of product planning, forecasting, logistics, process planning, and expertise in project management with strong communication skills.
• Instils confidence and empowers a project team in delivering product excellence through collaboration.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and spirit to proactively address critical deliverables while identifying novel solutions that address technical and business challenges.
• Bias towards action and comfortable working in ambiguous environments.
• Ability to adjust to changing circumstances and adapt to ensure product excellence.
• In-depth understanding of Nike date and gates, with the ability to adjust project plans based on compressed timelines.
• Ability to travel 20% of the time domestically and internationally.

Preferred Skills

• Expert knowledge of footwear manufacturing technologies and equipment, tooling, and materials, including Nike product creation software and tools.
• Understanding of consumer electronics product development.

The Application Process

Accommodations are available to complete the interview process, including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed.

About the Company

The team of Footwear Developers, Testers, Engineers and Designers collectively strive for product excellence, obsessing over the smallest details while collaborating, ideating and refining product construction, performance, fit and style.