Key Facts

Remote From:

Full time

English

Hard Skills

Vendor Management Footwear Design Capacity Planning Trial Preparation Process Improvement Process Costing Project Management Materials Testing Stakeholder Communications Cost Reduction Product Requirements Documents Sample Management Grading (Landscape) Procurement Cross-Functional Collaboration Stakeholder Communications Plan Of Action And Milestones (POA&M)

Other Skills

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Communication
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Analytical Skills
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Detail Oriented
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Problem Solving

Roles & Responsibilities

Deep understanding of footwear categories/constructions and material properties.
Experience in product development, commercialization and pre-production in footwear, preferably with a multinational company.
Strong English communication skills and proficiency with Windows-based office tools (Word, Excel).
Ability to establish and maintain relationships with partner factories and VF cross-functional teams; strong problem-solving around quality, cost, and SOP.

Requirements:

Manage development and commercialization with Tier 1 and Tier 2 vendors, ensuring prototypes and samples meet VF standards and on-time milestones.
Inspect all development and sales samples; conduct core footwear activities including new bottoms, uppers, color ups; secure fit approvals, material testing signoffs and cost approvals.
Plan Buy Ready by SKU and coordinate factory capacity and material purchasing to align with the product creation calendar; communicate product and performance requirements to vendors.
Collaborate with VF cross-functional teams (QM, GMS, Engineering, SO, CSR, Planning, Costing) to execute costing, commercialization, and CSR initiatives on time and per VF policies.

Kipling

About Kipling

We are on a mission To live a vibrant and colourful life – go places never been before. Be curious. Dare to live the life we’ve always wanted. That’s our mission. Well, you may say: It’s just bags. Yes, that may be true. But sometimes it’s the simple things that make life easier. Exploring the world with curiosity We empower you to go your own way. That’s why we inject all our creativity and out-of-the-box thinking into developing thoughtful designs with a casual coolness. Simply put, we design bags that inspire mobility and lighten your life. Our success story started in ‘87 in the heart of the fashion capital Antwerp (Belgium) with the iconic crinkled nylon bags. Today Kipling’s well-known bags and accessories are available around the world in 436 stores in 80 countries and can be found in more than 7500 shops including the best department-stores, and kipling.com. Kipling is part of VF Corporation one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies connecting people to the lifestyles, activities and experiences they cherish most through a family of iconic outdoor, active and workwear brands including Vans®, The North Face®, Timberland®, Dickies®, Eastpak®, Kipling®, icebreaker®, Napapijri® and many more. Our purpose is to power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet. We believe that when you discover the difference between a career and a calling, you get so much more out of life. When those lines begin to blur, you start to limit yourself much less and start aiming for more. That’s what we want for everyone who joins us at VF. And frankly, that’s what it takes to thrive here too.

Founded: 2018

Company size: 201 - 500

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Job description

Role & Responsibilities

Position Definition (Key Purpose of the Position)

Ensure quality of development samples and meet milestone dates according to the published product creation calendar
Maintain and track the commercialization timeline and additional reporting needs, and share out with FTW functional teams
Ensure T2 activities are carried out at the assigned factories with a focus on engineering for best productivity, product quality consistency, product integrity and performance in accordance with the brands policies and best practices
Accountable for all production related activities in the nominated vendor ensuring that production quality is being maintained to FTW standards, SOPs are being adhered to, and that “on time performance” obligations are being met
Ensures VF CSR standards are being maintained and continually elevated for the betterment of people and the planet
Executes VF Product strategic initiatives captured on OGSTM

Key Result Areas

Carry out development and commercialization related activities within his/her assigned factory to ensure that production quality is being maintained to VF standards and that “on time performance” obligations are being met
Delivers the job goals by developing strategic relationships and effective communication with VF's cross functional departments such as QM, GMS, Engineering, SO, CSR, Planning and Costing organizations as well as related factory departments/teams to execute Costing and commercialization on time and in accordance with VF's policies and procedures

Product Development / Commercialization

Manage the development process with Tier 1 and Tier 2 vendors across prototype, line close, salesman samples, Tech 1 confirmation samples and SMU requests
Responsible for inspection of all development samples, including sales samples at various COO’s
Conduct core related footwear activities around New Bottoms (TNs) / New Uppers / Color Ups including but not limited to project history, model fit approval, raw material testing, full shoe testing, wear testing, material swatch signoff and cost approval
Plan Buy Ready process by SKU
Communicate product and performance requirements to Tier 1 vendors to adhere to VF standards
Responsible for problem solving around construction / performance / costing / process and SOP sequences to enable consistent production at the highest level
Coordinate development factory capacity and material purchasing according to needed production creation calendar milestones. Balance capacity needs with allocations on an ongoing basis
Review Brand PD tech package information before conducting Tech 2 trials / check and confirm Tier 1 vendor pattern grading is to Industry and/or brand standards
Confirm raw material and product testing meets Industry or brand standards before conducting Tech 2 trials. Review and confirm acceptance of raw material or shoe overrides received from Brand PD
Confirm sample size pattern and molds before conducting salesman sample making. Confirm Tech 2 tooling for handover to production
Assist on building production specifications
Propose and implement ideas around cost savings, efficiency, automation and process & quality improvements
Conduct Tech 2 trials according to the SOP to confirm the manufacturing process
Confirm fit and wear testing is best in class and fit for purpose

Pre‑Production / Production

Associate to assist where needed

Competency Requirements

Possess deep understanding and technical knowledge/know‑how of all footwear categories/constructions as well as material physical properties
Basic knowledge of Automation/Computer stitching for upper pattern construction, grading/pattern interlocking for the convenience of Automation/ Computer stitching operation
General knowledge/skills of last making and measurements
General knowledge of molds/bottom checking to find potential issues during pre‑production trial for new developments
Integrate the best possible technical application for product without compromising on design specification and cost allowance
Seek potential cost savings
Embrace VF Guiding Principles: “Live with Integrity”, “Act Courageously”, “Be Curious”, “Act with Empathy”, “Persevere”
Must have branded footwear experience
Establish and maintain relationships effectively with partner factories and VF cross‑functional Teams
Ability to identify product quality and integrity risks, provide recommendations for CAP