Overview
Join to apply for the Director Product Development (m/w/d) role at BIRKENSTOCK.
BIRKENSTOCK is a global brand which embraces all consumers regardless of geography, gender, age and income. The company is deeply rooted in a family tradition of shoemaking that can be traced back to 1774. With around 7100 employees worldwide, BIRKENSTOCK is the largest employer in the German footwear industry. To ensure our quality standards, we produce over 95% of our products in Germany and source more than 90% of our materials and components from Europe. The BIRKENSTOCK Group is headquartered in Linz am Rhein and maintains several locations in Germany, as well as sales offices in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.
Responsibilities
* Lead and orchestrate a development team of technical developers, focused on product development solutions that align with our core values: Functionality, Quality and Tradition.
* Lead, manage and monitor projects through prototyping, 3D construction, mold making, preproduction and bulk ready processes.
* Ensure the team generates effective tech packs and confirms technical feasibility of inline products within seasonal development timelines and longer-term projects.
* Ensure tight timelines and proper handover to product engineering (industrialization) during the seasonal product development process.
* Collaborate with the Director of Product Line Management and Director Design to manage seasonal KPIs and processes, creating products with a focus on optimization where needed.
* Be involved in the mold making process (prototyping phase) and coordinate internal and external tooling partners and engineers, continually improving prototyping processes.
* Bring deep and proven knowledge of footwear development projects across various construction types and sole technologies, including mold construction and PU direct injection and expanded EVA.
* Maintain knowledge of established technical development possibilities, technologies and processes, with base knowledge of biomechanics and footwear functionalities.
Qualifications
* Many years of professional experience in technical product-related roles in footwear or sporting goods, including mold making, production technologies and materials.
* Expertise in Project Management and Processes, Product Creation, and management of diverse teams at various locations.
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex topics into effective presentations.
* Strategic mindset with hands-on pragmatism, confident in decision-making and execution.
* Fluent in English and/or German is a plus.
We Offer
BIRKENSTOCK offers the advantages of a successful, fast-growing, global company: a dynamic work environment, considerable design freedom, an authentic and open corporate culture and excellent development opportunities.
Sounds exciting? We look forward to receiving your online application, including salary expectations. If you have any questions, please contact Ada Bralewska.
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