New Balance - Senior Product Developer, Global Football - Warrington

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

JOB MISSION:

The Senior Product Developer manages the overall concept to consumer development execution for seasonal In-Line footwear projects and market SMUs within the Football GBU.  You will be responsible for utilising and leveraging technical engineering and manufacturing capabilities to ensure best in class execution of football performance footwear that meets the needs and ambitions of elite athletes. You will lead product Testing & Validation activities through coordinating wear test strategies and on-time product validation. Working closely with product, athletes and clubs, this is a great opportunity to help shape the future of football footwear at New Balance.

This role will require occasional travel in UK and to Asia. We offer hybrid working and a flexibility to working hours to accommodate for a healthy work life balance.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Responsible for development & manufacturing buy-ready status for specific segments of New Balance’s seasonal Global Football cleated and non-cleated performance products 
• Ensure key development stage gates and protocols are met & optimised to ensure product performance, cost, quality, manufacturability, and commerciality are optimized and in accordance with the category targets and goals
• Deliver consumer facing seasonal products through the utilization of existing processes, new technology & value engineering techniques that translate into sustainable category growth  
• Build effective relationships and utilize key communication channels with product creation, global development, Asian sourcing counterparts, and strategic internal and external resources to drive key category deliverables
• Manage the preparation & governance of production creation processes aligned with engineering, tooling, production, commercialization, and manufacturing to ensure category financial & product performance targets are met
• Oversee coordination of existing and new tooling for seasonal projects from concept to commercialization in accordance with design, CAD team, engineering best practices, D4M, and seasonal tooling timeline
• Engage in and facilitate the transition of Innovation workstreams and projects to support the inline seasonal calendar. Analyze risks and opportunities and make timely recommendations to facilitate the progress during exploration phase
• Ensure testing alignment with Fit & Wear teams and Sports Marketing to ensure elite and club level athletes are incorporated to strengthen product feedback loop and development direction.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:

• Educated to degree or equivalent combination of Relevant Industry Experience 
• Experienced in the development of performance footwear is essential; cleated development experience is preferred
• High level project management skills 
• Strategic thinker capable to manage projects from concept to validation and is extremely comfortable in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Strong leadership skills required, with an ability to work independently and drive cross functional alignment and mentor team members
• Excellent communication and presentation skills across different levels of understanding 
• Ability to establish strong target consumer relationships with the capability to inform and communicate on multiple levels
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and use of engineering tools and 3D software would be advantageous
• Domestic and International travel required 

BENEFITS:

• Discretionary Bonus Opportunity
• Private Medical Insurance
• Dental Scheme
• Pension Scheme
• Flexible Working Hours (07:00 – 9:00 start, 15:00 -17:00 finish)
• Hybrid working (3 days on-site)
• 25 days Annual Leave per year
• Life Insurance
• On Site Gym
• Employee Discount
• Opportunity to work abroad for four weeks per year
• Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit (24/7 Employment Assistance Program & Support)

Equal Opportunity Employer:

New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment.  We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.

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