[NDKSB] Product Development Manager, Footwear
On-site · Rolle, Vaud, Switzerland
Job Summary
Lead the footwear product development process from concept through commercialization for skate and lifestyle portfolios. Manage seasonal development calendars, milestones, and capacity with manufacturers; oversee all product specs in the PLM system as the key owner of product data; collaborate with Product Merchandiser and Designers to translate briefs into commercially successful products; work with factory partners and suppliers to develop innovative materials, constructions, and manufacturing solutions; review and approve prototypes ensuring alignment with design intent, performance requirements, quality standards, and FOB cost targets; drive product testing, validation, and continuous improvement; manage relationships with manufacturing partners across Asia to ensure consistent performance, quality, and regulatory compliance across markets; identify opportunities for innovation, efficiency improvements, and cost optimization; maintain accurate development documentation and ensure milestones are achieved on schedule; support cross-functional collaboration across Product, Design, Sourcing, Marketing, and Operations; contribute to process improvements in product creation and development workflows; mentor and lead the Footwear Development Department toward growth and capability development.
Required Qualifications
- Proven experience in footwear product development, ideally within skateboarding, action sports, or lifestyle footwear
- Extensive experience working directly with footwear factories and suppliers in Asia
- Strong knowledge of footwear construction, materials, manufacturing processes, costing, and commercialization
- Ability to balance creativity, product integrity, commercial objectives, and operational realities
- Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and international environment
- Experience driving process improvements and operational efficiencies is highly desirable
- Previous experience mentoring team members or leading projects across functions is a strong advantage
- Fluent in English; additional languages are a plus
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally, including regular visits to manufacturing partners in Asia
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