Sr. Materials Developer

Overview

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Our client is seeking a Senior Footwear Materials Developer with technical expertise to help drive product excellence through materials within their footwear product. You will provide tools, palettes, guidance, and data across multiple material types to enable effective material selection for dimension product teams ease of use. You’ll present facts and solutions clearly, with business & consumer in mind, so the team can make informed decisions!

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON
As a member of the Materials Development team, you will be a part of the new material development processes with an emphasis on clarity of work required within material development in support of material strategies. The work will be focused on driving future functional excellence with a sharp focus on execution of aesthetic, performance, quality, cost, strategy, and sustainability of footwear materials. Materials Development collaborates with vendors, product creation, and other functions to establish material needs, research and execute new strategic material creation, and ensure product excellence for both consumers and athletes.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH
The successful candidate will ensure new materials are developed, tested and commercialized on time. You will partner with Material Planning, Sourcing, & Costing to provide transparency when issues or concerns arise and you’ll collaborate on a resolution. You’ll serve as the primary contact for vendors as it relates to material initiative specific issues (price, technical specs, performance). You will collaborate with product creation teams, material, and functional teams to provide training and education as well as standard methodologies to enable informed decision making for strategic material initiatives.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field preferred or combination of relevant education, experience, and training.
• Minimum 5 years’ professional experience in materials development, manufacturing or engineering or similar
• Deep understanding of various material manufacturing processes required
• Demonstrated expertise in material types, including: fibers, yarn, textile, leather, synthetic leather, components or trims
• Ability to translate lab testing results for end-use application
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and present data
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to anticipate needs, mitigate risks, and solve problems
• Attention to detail, active follow-through, assertiveness, self-motivation and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to balance multiple competing projects and independently manage workload
• Solid digital literacy with working knowledge of MS office software; material management systems experience preferred
• Ability to travel up to 5% of the time

The target hiring compensation range for this role is $32.99 to $36.66 an hour. Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands. 

Our talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits! 

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment—one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.