Altra: Senior Materials Developer, Footwear

At Altra, we are on a never-ending journey to seek out opportunities to unlock potential in ourselves and others and to create a more diverse and inclusive running community. When we’re all working together as the best versions of ourselves, we can feel empowered both individually and as a community.

So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of people driven to discover more about ourselves and the world around us, Altra just may be the place for you.

To learn more about our values and our culture, visit Altra Careers or www.altrarunning.com.

Position: Materials Developer, Footwear

The primary responsibility of the Senior Materials Developer for Altra Running is to support the Product Team by developing suitable material choices that meet brand and design expectations as well as margin. The Materials Developer would also have individual responsibility to maintain and update the Flex PLM Materials Library, initiate seasonal developments in partnership with materials design, monitor and communicate development information to counterparts and external partners, and ensure developments are in alignment and support of Business/Brand initiatives.

What will you do?

• Work cross functionally with supply chain partners to source materials in appropriate markets to support supply chain flow and maximize margins

• Identify vendors that offer innovative materials, compounds and processes

• Support team in developing materials that meet design intent and margin requirements

• Utilize technical expertise to influence the seasonal material and color palette

• Build and maintain accurate development data with complete material information, pricing, minimums and lead-times

• Drive on-boarding to Flex PLM Materials Library

• Create the seasonal material toolbox in Flex PLM at the beginning of the season, allowing materials to be available for GTM1, GTM2, SMS, and Production

• Update and maintain the Materials Library throughout the development season as new materials are identified

• Communicate clearly with vendors on a timely basis on Development, Quality and Brand requirements

• Monitor developments, anticipate problems, address and facilitate solutions to manager in a timely manner to minimize quality problems and production delays

• Coordinate with Development and VF Asia on all material lab testing requirements

• Ensure commercialized material information is accurately maintained within seasonal timelines

• Partner with peer set to identify and drive department process improvements

• Maintain an up-to-date, user-friendly materials library

• Coordinate with GMS on material vendors CSR compliance and preferred vendor status

What do you need to succeed?

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 3-5 years of footwear or materials experience.

The foundational skills you will need in this position are:

• Understanding of design and development process from inception through production

• Knowledge of textile properties, testing, dyeing, finishing, manufacturing or other textile fundamentals

• Skills:

• Strong organizational skills - ability to access information accurately and readily when needed

• Strong communication skills verbal and written - gives concise and focused information.

• Able to make effective decisions through analysis, experience and common sense or understands when to defer to manager as situation warrants.