The Footwear Product Development Director will lead the global footwear development function, overseeing teams both at HQ and across Asia. This role is responsible for managing the product development lifecycle from concept to commercialization, ensuring product excellence, innovation, speed-to-market, and cost optimization. Acting as the bridge between Design, Product Management, Sourcing, and Manufacturing, the Footwear Development Director will drive cross-functional alignment and lead a global team to deliver premium, consumer-right footwear at scale.

MAIN REPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Team Management

· Lead, inspire, and develop the footwear development teams in HQ and Asia, fostering collaboration and accountability.

· Align global team structures, tools, and processes to ensure efficiency and consistent product execution.

· Mentor and grow talent, creating succession pipelines and professional development opportunities.

Product Development & Innovation

· Oversee the end-to-end development process, from design handoff through to final production approval.

· Ensure product feasibility, manufacturability, and performance meet brand expectations.

· Partner with Design and Product teams to push innovation in materials, construction, and sustainability.

· Drive adoption of digital tools (3D, CAD, virtual prototyping) to enhance speed and reduce sampling.

Operational Excellence

· Partner with sourcing and manufacturing teams in Asia to optimize costing, lead times, and quality.

· Establish and monitor KPIs for on-time delivery, cost targets, margin improvement, and quality standards.

· Lead seasonal calendars, ensuring critical deadlines are met across global teams.

· Troubleshoot technical or production challenges and implement scalable solutions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

· Act as the key liaison between HQ and Asia teams, ensuring seamless communication and execution.

· Collaborate with Materials, Quality, and Supply Chain to integrate innovation and sustainability goals.

· Partner with leadership on long-term strategic planning and product creation processes.

· Solid footwear development experience, with established leadership experience.

· Proven experience managing cross-regional teams, with direct exposure to Asian manufacturing hubs.

· Strong technical knowledge of footwear construction, pattern engineering, materials, and manufacturing processes.

· Solid track record of bringing innovative, high-quality footwear to market at scale.

· Skilled in project management, calendar management, and working in fast-paced, consumer-driven environments.

· Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-cultural management skills.

· Proficiency with digital development tools (3D CAD, PLM systems) preferred.