Development Director, Footwear

Amer Sports Company•Portland, OR

4d•$180,000 - $230,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At Wilson, we are here to empower every human to live like an athlete. Passion. Creativity. Integrity. Teamwork. Ambition. Innovation. These are the qualities that have made Wilson Sporting Goods Co. the number one sports equipment brand in the world. We come together to win, grow, and celebrate. We all play for Team Wilson. We all have a role to play within our organization and are working towards the same goal. One team, one dream. We believe that being an athlete isn’t something you do, it’s who you are. It’s a universal code of conduct, a way of seeing the world and how you show up every day. We seek out diverse voices and welcome all perspectives. Our team is composed of individuals with unique backgrounds, points of view and experiences. These perspectives create a rich and diverse culture in which we learn from one another through empathy and inclusion. Evolving the sports world and being the best partner for players, athletes, and our community is no small task. We are continually looking to add enthusiastic, ambitious, team-first individuals who desire to make a difference —and who love to help others win. Together, we will create a better world through sport. Join us. The Development Director is accountable for translating footwear product vision into commercially viable, manufacturable, and high ‑ quality products delivered on time, on cost, and to performance expectations. This role owns the technical, operational, and cross ‑ functional execution of footwear development from concept through commercialization while serving as a strategic partner across Product, Sourcing, and global supplier networks. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Requirements

This role requires a Bachelors degree in development or engineering or a related field along with 15+ years of proven experience in footwear development and sourcing and demonstrated experience managing teams.
Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, quality control, and sourcing in the footwear industry.
Excellent project management skills, with a track record of delivering products on time and within budget.
Strong leadership and team management abilities.
Exceptional communication and negotiation skills.
Proficiency in industry-specific software and tools.
In-depth knowledge of materials, lasts, mold construction, compound development, and foot anatomy.

Responsibilities

End-to-End Product Development: Manage the product creation process, from the brief stage and design through final prototyping and salesman samples.
Product Commercialization: Oversee and execute the timely commercialization of footwear products to ensure a smooth transition into mass production and market readiness.
Sourcing Strategy: Partner with Wilson Sourcing team to develop and implement sourcing strategies for footwear components and materials to optimize costs, quality, and lead times.
Supplier and Vendor Relationships: Establish, maintain, and enhance productive, effective, and professional relationships with footwear component suppliers and vendors.
Cost Management: Work closely with cross-functional teams to manage product costs, negotiate contracts, and ensure on-time delivery of materials and components.
Bill of Materials (BOM): Generate and maintain accurate BOMs for all projects.
Technical Information: Lead and facilitate the timely delivery and approval of all relevant technical information, including shell patterns, 2D and 3D designs, lasts, patterns, blueprints, and cost sheets.
Project Evaluation: Review and evaluate project status with the product creation and development teams, considering patterns, mold processes, materials, pricing, yield and cost analysis, manufacturing processes, and end-use performance.
Sample Management: Manage sample delivery to ensure all meeting dates are met and conduct product tear-downs for evaluation.
Sourcing Coordination: Collaborate with the Wilson Sourcing team to ensure the timely sourcing of footwear materials and components.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Product Teams to create effective and efficient seasonal project test plans to inform data-driven decision-making.
Communication: Provide clear and concise communication to relevant stakeholders, including overseas partners.
Enterprise Leadership: Serve as a strategic influencer within the organization, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration