Director, Product Development - Materials

About the role

The Director, Product Development – Materials for HEYDUDE is responsible for creating and leading an end-to-end materials strategy that connects material development across Product Development, Design, Sourcing, Commercialization, and regional teams.

Responsibilities

• Create and lead an end-to-end materials strategy that aligns material development across Product Development, Design, Sourcing, and global/regional product execution teams.
• Build a materials-first operating model that brings consumer needs, material trends, product storytelling, function, quality, cost, and speed-to-market considerations into the earliest stages of product creation.
• Partner closely with Materials Design, Product Development, Sourcing, and Asia-based teams to translate consumer and trend insights into actionable material direction, seasonal priorities, vendor briefs, and commercialization-ready solutions.
• Build and maintain a strategic global materials network by evaluating vendor capabilities, lead times, quality, cost, scalability, sustainability considerations, and alignment to product and consumer needs.
• Drive the development, implementation, and governance of digital material libraries, PLM systems, and material data management processes to improve visibility, accuracy, decision-making, and cross-functional speed.
• Establish clear material development processes, seasonal milestones, decision points, and communication routines that support faster alignment, fewer late-stage changes, and stronger execution from concept through commercialization.
• Serve as an integral leader within the Footwear Product Development leadership team, engaging and collaborating across footwear development, engineering, sourcing, and design to solve product creation challenges and support aligned decision-making.
• Build, coach, and develop high-performing materials teams by fostering collaboration, accountability, capability growth, and continuous improvement across the global product creation organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Industrial Design, Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum 10 -15 years of experience in consumer product development, materials engineering, or related product creation functions, including at least 5 years of materials development leadership experience.
• Deep expertise in footwear materials, including textiles, synthetics, leather, trims, performance components, testing, costing, and commercialization processes, with a strong understanding of material trends, innovation/R&D pipelines, upcoming newness, and performance and functional features that support consumer-right product creation.
• Advanced understanding of PLM systems, digital asset management, material libraries, and data governance practices.
• Demonstrated success creating materials strategies, operating models, and cross-functional processes that improve alignment, decision-making, and speed to market within global product creation organizations.
• Proven ability to influence, build partnerships, and collaborate effectively across footwear development, engineering, design, sourcing, global cross-functional teams, and external vendors.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and talent development skills with experience building high-performing teams.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, manage competing priorities, communicate effectively with all levels of the organization, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Domestic and international travel required.

Skills

• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience with PLM systems and digital asset management.
• Knowledge of footwear materials and manufacturing processes.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life and AD&D insurance.
• Short and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid time off.
• Employee assistance program.
• Participation in a 401k program that includes company match.

Pay

Pay offered will vary based on job-related factors such as location, experience, training, skills, and abilities. The salary range for this role is $176,000 - $186,000.

Schedule

This role has been aligned to the Collaborator persona. Your participation in this flexible schedule plays a key role in building a connected and successful team. In-office requirements vary by our work personas: Resident (5 days), Collaborator (4 days), Connector (2-3 days), Explorer (fully remote).