Footwear Materials Developer

Materials Developer 3 Footwear (Contract Role)

On-site | 4/1 Hybrid | WHQ
About the Role

We are seeking an experienced

Footwear Materials Developer

to support end-to-end materials creation and development within a fast-paced product creation environment. This role partners closely with Design, Product Development, Engineering, Materials Planning, and Global Suppliers to bring seasonal material direction to life while ensuring performance, cost, sustainability, and manufacturing feasibility.
You will manage materials from concept through commercialization readinessensuring on-time delivery, strong execution against critical timelines, and alignment to design intent.
This is a contract role supporting a maternity leave coverage with a highly collaborative, cross-functional team environment.
What Youll Do
Lead and manage the

materials development lifecycle

from concept through commercialization readiness
Partner with design and product creation teams to translate

design intent into manufacturable material solutions
Collaborate with global vendors and manufacturers (including Asia-based partners) to develop and deliver materials on schedule
Ensure materials meet

performance, cost, quality, and sustainability requirements
Track and manage multiple development projects against

critical seasonal calendars and deadlines
Support material readiness for production and commercialization
Provide clarity and solutions when issues arise across sourcing, development, or vendor execution
Contribute to seasonal material direction, palettes, and material innovation efforts

What Were Looking For (Must Haves)

6+ years of experience in

materials development, product development, or product creation , ideally within footwear (apparel acceptable)
Strong understanding of

materials creation processes

and manufacturing workflows
Direct experience working within

footwear or performance product creation environments
Proven ability to manage complex, deadline-driven development calendars
Experience working with

external suppliers or manufacturers , ideally global
Ability to translate

design intent into feasible, production-ready materials
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills across design, development, and supply chain teams
High attention to detail with strong ownership and follow-through

Nice to Have

Direct experience working with

material mills or manufacturers
Exposure to footwear-specific product development (running or performance footwear a plus)
Familiarity with

lab testing and interpreting material performance results
Experience in seasonal product creation cycles
Background in Materials Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Ideal Candidate Profile

Self-starter who can operate independently in a fast-paced environment
Strong communicator who can align global teams and external partners
Highly organized with strong execution discipline and deadline management
Problem solver who can offer alternative material or process solutions
Comfortable balancing tradeoffs across

cost, performance, sustainability, and design intent
Collaborative team player who thrives in cross-functional product creation environments
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Client Description

Global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment. Our client focuses on innovation, performance, and marketing, partnering with top athletes and teams. The company emphasizes sustainability and digital advancements to enhance the sports experience.
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