Senior Footwear Developer, Innovation, Asia

Team: Footwear Research & Development

Location: Ho Chi Minh City

Commitment: Full Time

Workplace Type: onsite

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line. 

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:  

• Runner First 
  • We act in the best interest of the runner
• Word is Bond 
  • We do what we say we’ll do 
• Champion Heart  
  • We give our all in everything we do  
• There is no “I” in Run 
  • We stay generous with our humanity 
• Keep Moving 
  • We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.   

Your Responsibilities:

INNOVATION

Manage multiple innovation projects from Brief & Research through Design, Development & Validation and into Commercialization & Manufacturing, acting as the primary leader for development projects from the Asia side.

Create and implement comprehensive project plans and schedules aligned with critical deadlines to ensure on-time delivery of samples for key meetings and milestones, including validation processes, technology transfers, and final product or technology approval.

Manage the prototyping, testing and validation of concepts through your advanced problem solving and product creation skills: pattern making and construction techniques; blueprints revisions (technical packages), mold creation and midsole/ outsole making; Lab, fit, wear testing.

Display an in-depth knowledge of performance running shoe making, the manufacturing process and the ability to manipulate it to advance and achieve new manufacturing techniques which enhance the performance and efficiency of product.

Independently drive innovation initiatives – through creative problem solving or new idea validation – that align with Brooks Innovation strategy.

Explore and validate new materials, processes and technologies to ensure state-of-the-art shoe creation with the objective of maximizing runner experience and performance, for both our everyday runner and our elite athletes.

Work with the Innovation Manager to further define and implement the Innovation process with all its steps and milestones.

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIP

Key counterpart to the US-based Developer as a liaison to Tier 1 and Tier 2 partners, engineering, costing, materials, testing lab, and manufacturing to ensure that products are manufacturable and meet performance and quality expectations.

Act as a technical consultant to product teams on materials, components and construction decisions to meet product’s functional goals, and ensure product performance integrity through product testing (physical and field testing).

Initiate and lead meetings with product teams during various phases of development to review, evaluate, update and ultimately drive the decision-making process that leads to high performance, quality and cost efficient on–time production confirmation.

Lead and participate in development trips, 4 - 5 per year, to work with manufacturers and suppliers on existing and current development projects.

Manage relationships with existing partners. Promote innovative thinking and approach within our external network.

Build strong working knowledge of vendor capabilities, performance, factory relationships, quality issues, materials pricing, and lead times.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in English, Engineering, Design, Biomechanics or other applicable technical degrees or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
5+ successful years of experience leading the product development of high-performance footwear projects. Experience in development of Athlete or Innovation projects is a plus.
Technical expertise in footwear product development with an advanced knowledge of the total footwear construction process including outsole/midsole drawing, pattern engineering, upper and bottom materials, shoe construction, testing and costing.
Strong understanding of manufacturing techniques, anticipating issues, providing insight for complex constructions and problem solving with timely resolution.
Experience and technical knowledge in the development of midsole foams, composite/carbon plates, Track & Field, or cleated products is preferred. Having worked previously with athletes or sport science labs and genuine interest in the latest running research is must.
Proficient in project management, including project planning, organization, and effective communication with internal and external stakeholders, as well as facilitating seamless project transfer to other teams. Strong attention to detail through planning and execution.
Demonstrated ability to develop highly productive relationships with individuals and teams that are made up of diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds resulting in effective working relationships across the company
Experience establishing and managing relationships with new and existing T1, T2 and T3 suppliers. Capable of communicating complex ideas and promoting innovative thinking in our partner network.
Innovation and curious mindset. Proven track record of bringing creative ideas to the table and exploring innovative ways to build technically complex prototypes. Looking to improve Brooks’ products and processes.
Ability to anticipate how a decision made can affect our consumers, our partners, our products or other departments’ operations and/or morale; “connecting the dots.”
Strong verbal and written communication skills in English, with the capacity to convey new ideas, concepts and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders.
Strong computer skills including professional knowledge of MS Office software (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, etc.), Illustrator or other electronic means to communicate new concepts or ideas preferred. Technical writing capability a plus.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed, as well as organizing development and exploration trips.
Passionate participation in Brooks’ sports activities a plus, overridden by the ability to understand and empathize with the runner to develop loyal, engaging relationships with our consumers and the Brooks community.
Embraces and lives the Brooks values!

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.