Product Developer II - Men's Footwear - Johnston & Murphy

The Ideal Candidate

The Men's Footwear Product Developer II will manage and coordinate the footwear product development process for J&M Men's footwear. This includes product creation during all phases of development and utilizing product development knowledge and tools to achieve project objectives.

How You Will Make an Impact

• Collaborate with the Men's merchandising and design team to execute designs, coordinate materials, creation of lasts, and develop patterns and footwear prototypes during the product creation lifecycle.
• Manage mold development from initial drawing to confirmation in conjunction with Design, through 2D Blueprint, 3D CAD, development, and hand-off to commercialization.
• Recommend material, component, and construction options while ensuring key features, product performance, target cost, and calendar goals are achieved.
• Effectively communicate all product development information through email and PDM/PLM software systems.
• Manage assembly of the approved designs into tech packages of two and three-dimensional information which adequately describes and utilizes current and feasible assembly techniques.
• Maintain clear documentation and communication of the design solutions from concept through final product (i.e. building Tech Packs/Bill of Materials/Product Specification sheets).
• Work in conjunction with the technical team to build and create new lasts for new seasonal programs.
• Work with the Materials team to assist in material consolidation, and organization of innovative components and materials for use on new footwear developments.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners in the development of materials, compounds, testing requirements, and discovering innovative solutions to reduce cost and improve quality.
• Partner with the J&M Costing team to manage pre-costing, seasonal cost analysis, and problem-solving on all projects to meet margin requirements.
• Manage daily activities and execute timeline objectives to ensure on-time product delivery.

Experience and Skills You'll Need to Have

• Bachelor's degree in Footwear Engineering, Merchandising, Biomechanics, Engineering, or a Business-related field.
• Minimum of 3 - 5 years in footwear industry experience.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Photoshop, and the ability to use advanced footwear/business-related software programs as needed (i.e. PLM/PDM systems).
• Ability to think through and problem-solve critical business issues.
• Ability to build effective design and manufacturing partnerships globally.
• Working knowledge of footwear materials, footwear lasts, leathers, outsoles, and constructions.
• Highly organized and able to adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Effective time management, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Domestic and International Travel Required.

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