Senior Manager, Development Footwear

Reebok International, Ltd•Boston, MA

11h

About The Position

Lead the footwear product development process for assigned Category Units by bridging the gap between design vision and manufacturing reality. This role serves as the critical link between HQ and Tier 1 supply partners, ensuring a seamless transition from prototype to production. You will balance high-volume price point project management with the leadership and mentorship of the production creation tirade.

Requirements

Technical Expertise: Advanced knowledge of footwear engineering, material construction, and testing protocols
Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of product costing and the ability to negotiate effectively
Leadership: Proven ability to manage, motivate, and develop a professional team
Problem Solving: Proactive approach to anticipating roadblocks and developing solutions in a fast-paced environment
Communication: Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills; ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
Adaptability: Comfortable navigating ambiguity, risk, and organizational change
Education: Four-year college or university degree
Experience: 5–7 years of leading progressive experience in the athletic footwear industry (Development, Design, or Marketing)
Leadership: Demonstrated experience in people management or team supervision
Track Record: A proven history of successful product launches and technical accomplishment in footwear
Logistics: Fluent in English, proficient in MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint; willing to travel domestically and internationally as needed

Responsibilities

Product Development & Execution
Vision Translation: Convert design concepts and consumer insights into functional, marketable products that align with category strategies
Engineering & Quality: Create workable prototypes that balance aesthetics, function, and manufacturability while strictly adhering to quality and testing standards
Project Management: Own the end-to-end development lifecycle, ensuring all milestones—including BuyRead and BOM accuracy—are met according to the product calendar
Supplier Collaboration: Manage direct development with Tier 1 partners, fostering a results-oriented relationship to resolve critical technical or business issues
Innovation: Drive the integration of new materials and components into finished footwear
Financial Accountability: Take ownership of model-level costing, collaborating with Design and Marketing to hit GP% targets without compromising product integrity
Data Integrity: Oversee technical package creation and PLM systems to ensure seamless information flow between HQ and suppliers
People Management & Leadership
Team Culture: Foster a collaborative, high-performance environment built on teamwork and shared goals
Performance Management: Set clear objectives, evaluate competencies, and conduct regular performance reviews for direct reports
Resource Allocation: Strategically assign projects based on team capacity, experience level, and product complexity
Mentorship: Coach and mentor team members to elevate their technical expertise and project management skills
Strategic Input: Partner with the Senior Manager and Director of Development to identify operational improvements and scale team responsibilities