Sr. Manager, Materials Development - Footwear

Tapestry (Coach/Kate Spade); New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Coach is seeking a Sr. Manager, Materials Development - Footwear to drive material development from concept through production.

You will collaborate with Design, Merchandising, Production and Technical teams to ensure timely delivery of innovative leathers, fabrics, prints and color. You will organize development data, maintain LC/ECVision records, coordinate with overseas suppliers and lead master reviews while delivering end-of-season analyses.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in footwear materials development and production.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Material knowledge in fabric and leather.
• Ability to work at speed with urgency and accuracy.
• A collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Ability to multi-task and manage high-priority situations.
• Creativity and innovative thinking with proactive problem solving.
• Flexible to evolving environments and data interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Day-to-day point of contact for Design, Merchandising, Production, and Technical Teams.
• Execute material development from concept to commercialization.
• Organize and track material development information and references.
• Maintain material development charts shared cross-functionally.
• Ensure ECVision database is complete, accurate and updated.
• Follow up with overseas suppliers for status updates.
• Lead cross-functional Article Master reviews and ensure masters are shared with partners.
• Prepare and analyze end-of-season recaps.
• Lead cross-functional meetings as needed.
• Handle ad hoc projects for quick turnaround.

Skills

8+ years footwear materials

Excellent communication

Material knowledge (fabric/leather)

Sense of urgency

Team player

Highly organized

Multi-tasking under pressure

Creative/innovative thinking

Problem solving

Adaptability

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Excel

Windows

Word

PowerPoint

PLM

ECVision

Job description

Coach is a global fashion house founded in New York in 1941. Inspired by the vision of Creative Director Stuart Vevers and the inclusive and courageous spirit of our hometown, we make beautiful things, crafted to last-for you to be yourself in.

Coach is part of the Tapestry portfolio - a global house of brands committed to stretching what's possible.

A member of the Tapestry family, we are part of a global house of brands that has unwavering optimism and is committed to being innovative and wholly inclusive. Visit Our People page to learn more about Tapestry's commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity.

Primary Purpose: The Sr. Manager, Materials Development - Footwear is a dynamic individual contributor responsible for the development, commercialization and timely delivery of innovative fashion leathers, fabrics, prints, and color from design concept through production for the Footwear category.

The successful individual will leverage their proficiency in Materials Development and Sourcing to...

• Day-to-day point person for Design, Merchandising, Production, and Technical Teams
• Executes material development activities from Concept to Commercialization and drives issue resolution and cross-functional alignment
• Organize, maintain, track material development information and references
• Maintain and distribute material development charts that are shared cross-functionally
• Ensure that the ECVision database is complete, accurate and updated in a timely manner
• Accurate follow up with overseas suppliers for status updates
• Possess an awareness of the product development timeline and understand how their function relates to the big picture
• Proactively communicate with the team and cross functional partners about material development status, material sample orders, and any delays/issues
• Partner with the team to maintain and organize an efficient material and color library as well as archiving system that includes development references and article masters.
• Lead cross functional Article Master review and ensure masters are sent to overseas partners
• Prepare and analyze end of season recaps
• Act as an organizational lead within team
• Work out of the box, multitask and juggle ad hoc projects and processes for quick accurate turnaround
• Maintain clear communications within the internal and external teams
• Attend and lead cross-functional meetings as needed
• Special projects as assigned.

The accomplished individual will possess...

• 8+ years of experience in footwear materials development and production
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Material technical knowledge - fabric and leather
• Sense of urgency and ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• A true team player with strong interpersonal skills
• Highly organized and detail oriented
• Ability to multi-task and balance high-priority situations under pressure
• Possesses creative and innovative way of thinking
• Takes proactive approach with strong problem-solving skills
• Flexibility to adapt to an evolving environment
• Analytical skills to interpret and react to information accurately

An outstanding professional will have...

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Computer proficiency in Excel, Window, Word, Power Point, PLM and ECVision
• Currently working in related fields

#LI-SG2; #LI-HYBRID

Our Competencies for All Employees

• Courage : Doesn't hold back anything that needs to be said; provides current, direct, complete, and "actionable" positive and corrective feedback to others; lets people know where they stand; faces up to people problems on any person or situation (not including direct reports) quickly and directly; is not afraid to take negative action when necessary.
• Creativity : Comes up with a lot of new and unique ideas; easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions; tends to be seen as original and value-added in brainstorming settings.
• Customer Focus : Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
• Dealing with Ambiguity : Can effectively cope with change; can shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture; isn't upset when things are up in the air; doesn't have to finish things before moving on; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.
• Drive for Results : Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; is constantly and consistently one of the top performers; very bottom-line oriented; steadfastly pushes self and others for results.
• Interpersonal Savvy : Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the organization; builds appropriate rapport; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.
• Learning on the Fly : Learns quick