At Altra, we are on a never-ending journey to seek out opportunities to unlock potential in ourselves and others and to create a more diverse and inclusive running community. When we’re all working together as the best versions of ourselves, we can feel empowered both individually and as a community.

So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of people driven to discover more about ourselves and the world around us, Altra just may be the place for you.

To learn more about our values and our culture, visit Altra Careers or www.altrarunning.com.

Position: Footwear Development Director

What will you do?

A day in the life of a Footwear Development Director at Altra looks a little like this.

The Product Development Director leads Altra’s development process from design stage through production confirmation and supervises the USPD team.  This role is ultimately responsible for the timely and successful completion of a product that delights Altra’s customers and supports its financial goals.  This role will report directly to the Sr. Director of Product for Altra.

Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more.

• Lead and supervise Altra’s footwear product development process, including direct oversight and accountability for commercialization processes, timelines, and hitting budgeted cost structures.
• Create, implement and manage development calendar and timelines for standard cycles as well as suggesting and managing alternatives for non-standard requests.
• Deliver best-in-class product performance and integrity through design and administration of Altra’s wear testing program using clear metrics and testing procedures for both fit and wear.  Ensure all product is tested appropriately and successfully commercialized for mass production. 
• Lead communications with Supply Chain to manage product and purchase order information, collaborate with PD-Asia on product and supplier readiness.
• Assist with department budget administration – specifically development materials, tooling investments, and wear test costs.
• Ensures that footwear products are sampled, proven and tested, completed on time, viable for manufacturing, satisfy design intent and performance targets, and meet costing and sustainability goals.
• Oversee process between HQ PD and PD-Asia through commercialization, liaise with manufacturing to ensure commercialization specs are transferred seamlessly and exactly into production.
• Maintain open communication with sourcing functions, innovation, costing, materials, planning, quality control, and innovation.
• Understand tooling investment for assigned projects, select mold shops, communicate mold investments, and component pricing.
• Constructively engage with design and product leads to recommend materials, components, process and construction options in order to meet key material and product performance goals.
• Manage USPD team to deliver timely creation, delivery, and approval of all relevant technical information (shell patterns, 2D’s, 3D’s, lasts, patterns, blue-prints, cost sheets, BOM etc.)
• Collaborate with Brand QA/QC leads to establish and learn from root cause analysis pertaining to defective returns and misc quality challenges; provide direction to product team based on these results.
• Lead seasonal development allocation and sourcing decisions with VFA and factor partners.
• Challenge and support innovation of our manufacturing processes in factory, and when needed, source new suppliers, factories and technologies to support the advancement Altra’s product goals.
• Coach, mentor and develop the Product Development team, including guidance for the ability to use the tools of the trade (calipers, hardness gauges, tape measure, profile gauge, Brannock device) and guidance for analyzing technical drawings, patterns, components and lasts.

What do you need to succeed?

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 10+ years of experience in footwear wear industry, including development, commercialization, production and people management.

The foundation skills you will need in this position are:

• Ability to lead, manage and work in a complex global organization satisfying the needs of diverse constituents with competing deadlines and priorities.
• Proven leader with coaching and mentoring skills to inspire product creation team to drive for excellence.
• Proficient in various Microsoft applications including (Smart Sheets or Microsoft project esp. important)
• Experience in pattern engineering, mold making, grading, materials testing, ability to read shell patterns, 2D and 3D blueprints, spec sheets, cost breakdowns.
• Demonstrated depth of knowledge of footwear pattern engineering process, tooling and production experience and related RD&D processes. 
• Detailed understanding of knowledge of mold process and engineering, and equipment and machinery used in footwear manufacturing.
• Ability to travel, domestic or international, as required
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, adapt to changing demands, and make quick yet well thought out decisions will be essential in this role.

What do we offer you?

At Altra, we know you expect as much from us as we do from you. That is why we make a commitment to support and grow our people. We offer extensive development and growth opportunities for your current and future positions, a competitive compensation package, and a strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).

Our commitment extends beyond this and into your daily work life. We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive culture based on respect, connection, and authenticity. Our focus on DEI is at the foundation of who we are and what we do.

To learn more about Altra’s benefits package, follow this MyVFBenefits.com and click “Looking to Join VF”.

To learn more about Altra’s Diversity and Inclusion efforts, go to www.altrarunning.com.

Now WE have a question for YOU.

Are you in?

Hiring Range:

Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year’s medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com  and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.

At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.  If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [email protected]. VF will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.

Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.