Footwear Materials Developer

Company: Disability Solutions
Location: Portland
Posted on: May 2, 2024

Job Description:

Description & Requirements who we are lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people. about this team The Footwear Development team is a diverse group of creative and solution-oriented thinkers. They are product experts with deep industry knowledge of the footwear creation process, working cross functionally with design, sourcing, costing, product testing, and merchandising. This teams serves as an integral part of bringing lululemon footwear "to life" transforming product design from concept through commercialization using their technical acumen, problem solving skills, program management and cross functional collaboration. Ultimately, this unique set of skills ensures product integrity, on-time execution, design intent and manufacturing feasibility. a day in the life: what you'll do As a Footwear Material Developer, you will play a crucial role in the development and execution of innovative and high-quality materials for lululemon footwear. Collaborating closely with design, production, and sourcing teams, you will be responsible for researching, selecting, and testing materials to ensure they meet the design and performance specifications for seasonal models. Your expertise in material science, industry trends, testing specifications and project management will contribute to the success of the overall product.

• Collaborate with design teams to understand product aesthetic and requirements in line with the seasonal product roadmap
• Evaluate, select and develop suitable materials based on performance, durability, sustainability, and cost considerations.
• Collaborate with the product development teams to review and refine prototypes based on material performance and aesthetics.
• Analyze test results and provide recommendations for material improvements or alternatives.
• Maintain a thorough and accurate understanding of seasonal material sourcing strategy based on supplier capabilities, manufacturing locations, and product needs.
• Develop and execute testing protocols to assess the performance and quality of footwear materials ensuring Material Readiness for on-time delivery and commercialization of quality product.
• Keep abreast on emerging materials, trends, technologies and sustainability initiatives in the footwear industry to provide insights and recommendations for incorporating new trends into product development.
• Cultivate strong business relationships with material suppliers and regional lululemon team members to address any issues related to material quality or availability.
• Actively maintain and organize and upkeep of detailed records of material specifications, testing results in addition to both the physical and digital material libraries.
• Provide regular reports on material development progress, challenges, and solutions to relevant stakeholders.
• Curate and maintain seasonal and seasonless material palettes, toolkits, and a materials library comprised of inspirational and tested & approved fabrications. qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Material Science, Textile Engineering, or a related field.
  • Proficiency in MS Office (Excel/Word/Outlook, Adobe Design Suite/Illustrator/Photoshop)
  • Experience w/ Flex PLM or similar PLM software
  • 5 -8 years of footwear materials development experience with a working knowledge of the performance and/or lifestyle footwear industry.
  • Solid knowledge of performance and lifestyle footwear material types, applications, and physical properties.
  • Technical knowledge spanning all areas of synthetics, films and textiles from fibers, yarn, material construction, dyeing, finishing, and printing, as well as.
  • Knowledge of Raw Material and Footwear testing methodologies and standards, with the ability to analyze material testing performance, identify quality risks, and re-engineer failing material specs.
  • Basic knowledge of footwear manufacturing and development practices, including fluency in footwear component terminology.
  • Knowledge of cross-functional product creation team accountabilities is preferred, including design, development, sourcing, merchandising and quality assurance.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively interact and influence cross-functional teams, as well as work independently all while adapting to a changing environment managing multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Familiarity with sustainability practices in materials development is a plus.
  • Experience traveling and working with material suppliers outside of North America, preferably Asia.
  • Strong project management skills along with written and verbal communication skills working along with global teammates.
  • Ability to travel 15-20% of the time. must haves
    • Acknowledge the presence of choice in every moment and take personal responsibility for your life.
    • Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovate to achieve great results.
    • Communicate with honesty and kindness and create the space for others to do the same.
    • Lead with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.
    • Foster connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.
    • Integrate fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn't take yourself too seriously. compensation and benefits package lululemon's compensation offerings are grounded in a pay-for-performance philosophy that recognizes exceptional individual and team performance. The typical hiring range for this position is from $91,400 - $120,000 USD annually; the base pay offered is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity. As part of our total rewards offering, permanent employees in this position may be eligible for our competitive annual bonus program, subject to program eligibility requirements. At lululemon, investing in our people is a top priority. We believe that when life works, work works. We strive to be the place where inclusive leaders come to develop and enable all to be well. Recognizing our teams for their performance and dedication, other components of our total rewards offerings include support of career development, wellbeing, and personal growth:
      • Extended health and dental benefits, and mental health plans
      • Paid time off
      • Savings and retirement plan matching
      • Generous employee discount
      • Fitness & yoga classes
      • Parenthood top-up
      • Extensive catalog of development course offerings
      • People networks, mentorship programs, and leadership series (to name a few) Note: The incentive programs, benefits, and perks have certain eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these incentive programs, benefits, and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice. workplace arrangement This role is classified as Hybrid under our SSC Workplace Policy:
        • In-person collaboration is important, and much of the role can be performed remotely. Work is performed onsite at least 3 days per week. #LI-NC1 LI-Hybrid

Keywords: Disability Solutions, Corvallis , Footwear Materials Developer, IT / Software / Systems , Portland, Oregon