Director Footwear Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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At Tapestry, being true to yourself is core to who we are. When each of us brings our individuality to our collective ambition, our creativity is unleashed. This global house of brands - Coach and Kate Spade New York - was built by unconventional entrepreneurs and unexpected solutions, so when we say we believe in dreams, we mean we believe in making them happen. We're always on a journey to becoming our best, but you can count on this: Here, your voice is valued, your ambitions are supported, and your work is recognized.
A member of the Tapestry family, we are part of a global house of brands that has unwavering optimism and is committed to being innovative and wholly inclusive. Visit Our People page to learn more about Tapestry's commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity.

Primary Purpose:

The Manager, Footwear supports the operational strategy for all Tapestry Footwear products from prototype to final delivery, working closely with the Sr. Director.

This role assists in product development and commercialization, collaborating with the Sr. Director and cross-functional teams including Design, Merchandising, Asia Teams, Materials, Quality, and Factory/Service providers.

Hybrid schedule: In-office three days a week (Tuesday-Thursday), and as needed two days (Monday & Friday).

The successful individual will leverage their proficiency inFootwearto...

• Maintain a constant flow of communication between NY PD, cross functional partners from Design to Merchandising, Asia PD and Factory/Service provider partners.
• Oversee and communicate development and fit specifications from initial concept to final product, creating, sharing and updating the CRF's (Construction Review Form) and TRF's (Tooling Review Form).
• Support reviewing prototypes and final samples, taking comments in preparation for development meetings.
• Basic knowledge of sample fit analysis and upper line/paper pattern corrections to translate design and production needs into CRF comments.
• Manage the NY wear test (WT) program charts, samples distribution and comments' formsfiles & communication.
• Create forms/charts (as CRF, TRF, WT) and organize comments files in share drive Teams.
• Basic knowledge of shoe development and size system.
• Basic knowledge of blueprint reading and interpretation (as soles, heels, ornaments).
• Understand the Product Development Timeline (PDT) calendar and associated milestone dates.
• Follow up samples shipping and tracking.
• Organize the fitting schedule and fit model according to sample receipt.
• Establish strong relationships with cross functional and global partners.
• Participate in research and development of new techniques and fits where applicable to support design and product development to drive product innovation.

The accomplished individual will possess...

• 5+ years of experience in footwear & technical development.Preferably in luxury fashion shoes.
• Demonstrated basic knowledge of fit, paper patterns, lasts, materials, and footwear constructions variations.
• Basic skills to handle masking tape, marker pen, scissors, and craft knife to help assisting fit and pattern lines corrections during prototype review meetings.
• Experience in working with footwear factories is a plus (local and/or abroad).
• Sharp eye and ability to translate design sketch information into prototypes.
• Strong organizational skills, great attention to detail and capturing comments to translate to CRF/TRF notes.
• Demonstrate ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and work independently.
• Express understanding of footwear costing.
• Strong collaboration skills with ability to work effectively with global & cross functional teams across all levels.
• Aptitude in Microsoft Office - 365, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint and EcVision.
• Knowledge of Photoshop and Rhinos (3D, Cad) is a plus.

An outstanding professional will have...

• A diploma in footwear fashion & technology or footwear manufacturing experience.
• A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field is a plus.
• Product eye and ability to recognize design information into prototypes.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Basic footwear costing.
• Ability to multitask and keen sense of teamwork.
• Effective communication skills in written and oral English.
• International work travel capability.
• Availability for video meetings with South Asia team members and factories as needed.
• Self-motivated, able to work under pressure and with a sense of urgency.
• Demonstrate passion for footwear and the footwear industry, and keep up with the latest trends, technologies, and customer preferences.
• Creativity & Problem-solving mind are essential attributes for problems and challenges that need innovative and original ideas during the footwear development process, such as design flaws, material defects, or production issues.

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Our Competencies for All Employees
Courage: Doesn't hold back anything that needs to be said; provides current, direct, complete, and "actionable" positive and corrective feedback to others; lets people know where they stand; faces up to people problems on any person or situation (not including direct reports) quickly and directly; is not afraid to take negative action when necessary.
Creativity: Comes up with a lot of new and unique ideas; easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions; tends to be seen as original and value-added in brainstorming settings.
Customer Focus: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
Dealing with Ambiguity: Can effectively cope with change; can shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture; isn't upset when things are up in the air; doesn't have to finish things before moving on; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.
Drive for Results: Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; is constantly and consistently one of the top performers; very bottom-line oriented; steadfastly pushes self and others for results.
Interpersonal Savvy: Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the organization; builds appropriate rapport; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.
Learning on the Fly: Learns quickly when facing new problems; a relentless and versatile learner; open to change; analyzes both successes and failures for clues to improvement; experiments and will try anything to find solutions; enjoys the challenge of unfamiliar tasks; quickly grasps the essence and the underlying structure of anything.
Our Competencies for All People Managers
Strategic Agility: Sees ahead clearly; can anticipate future consequences and trends accurately; has broad knowledge and perspective; is future oriented; can articulately paint credible pictures and visions of possibilities and likelihoods; can create competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans.
Developing Direct Reports and Others: Provides challenging and stretching tasks and assignments; holds frequent development discussions; is aware of each person's career goals; constructs compelling development plans and executes them; pushes people to accept developmental moves; will take on those who need help and further development; cooperates with the developmental system in the organization; is a people builder.
Building Effective Teams: Blends people into teams when needed; creates strong morale and spirit in their team; shares wins and successes; fosters open dialogue; lets people finish and be responsible for their work; defines success in terms of the whole team; creates a feeling of belonging in the team.

Tapestry, Inc. is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and we pride ourselves on hiring and developing the best people. All employment decisions (including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, transfer, training, discipline and termination) are based on the applicant's or employee's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration. These decisions are made without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic characteristics, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship, disability, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or any other legally-recognized protected basis prohibited by applicable law.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Tapestry, Inc. will provide applicants and employees with reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious beliefs. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact Tapestry People Services at 1-855-566-9264 or employeerelations@tapestry.com

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Base Pay Range

Here are some of the benefits that we offer: Medical insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, 401 (K), Paid Paternity and Maternity leave, Commuter Benefits, Disability insurance and Tuition assistance. Please click here for a complete list of U.S Corporate Compensation & Benefits.