Materials Developer - Footwear

San Francisco, CA Product Development Team Reports to Sr Director of Materials

While professional experience and qualifications are key for this role, make sure to check you have the preferable soft skills before applying if required.

Who is Allbirds?

At Allbirds, we believe in using business as a force for good. We’re a global footwear and apparel brand with roots in New Zealand and our headquarters in San Francisco.

Since 2016, we’ve been on a mission to prove that comfort, design, and sustainability aren’t mutually exclusive. Our commitment to creating better things in a better way is fueled by a belief that the fashion industry needs to focus less on flash and more on thoughtfulness.

And as a certified B Corp, we’re dedicated to making the most sustainable products we can using premium natural materials - designed for life’s everyday adventures.

Where we need help

About the role : Materials Developer - Footwear. This role will be assisting the materials team to develop the next generation of footwear materials for Allbirds and the industry.

The candidate must possess a familiarity with footwear materials and their industry performance standards in addition to strong organizational and analytical skills.

A bonus will be experience developing materials from natural fibers. The developer will be responsible for keeping the physical material library well organized as well as ensuring the digital library has all the necessary info to help the Footwear Product team make daily material decisions.

This role will be the point person for administering and reporting back all testing results of yarns, fabrics and other materials to all parties on the product team as well as working with overseas vendors.

What does the job entail?

• Be a key player in executing the Material strategy laid out by Allbirds Sr. Director of Materials.
• Develop seasonal as well as long term core material palette for the design team to design into.
• Understand, communicate and assimilate differences of standard industry footwear materials to Allbirds Material Standards.
• Initiate material testing with 3rd party labs to make sure all materials are adhering to Allbirds materials standards.
• Partner with Allbirds vendors to make sure they are testing to the material guidelines and report findings back to you.

Cataloging all data and uploading it in the appropriate places in our PLM system.

• Keep the materials library well organized with all necessary info such as cost, testing, material breakdown, etc.
• Manage sustainability requirements with all vendors to ensure the standards are met seasonally.
• Beyond working with our internal team, you'll work with our mill and vendor partners to develop innovative materials, recommend construction techniques, and be a problem solver for any issues in between.
• Create partnerships with our vendor base as well as factory partners and be able to troubleshoot issues and negotiate prices.

DELIVERABLES :

• Create a simple materials tool box for design so they can make quick design iterations and decisions.
• Report quarterly on quality submits on materials to ensure our standards are being met across all categories.
• Create and monitor development calendar to ensure all development dates are adhered to and that follow through is achieved.
• Oversee fabric approvals with the materials team determining proper hand feel, sustainability requirements, wash and construction are met.
• Conduct market research in order to understand industry trends, functional performance, and sustainability goals.
• Identify and bring in new materials suppliers that can add to our already strong base in order to add abilities, solve sourcing problems, and achieve company goals.

What are we looking for?

• Thorough understanding of different fabric types and yarn make ups as they relate to footwear construction and components.
• Experience in lab dipping fabrics and trims and working under a light box to get colors right.
• In order to be successful in this role, you’ll need to be highly organized, detail-oriented, and possess a passion for product.

Working knowledge and understanding of the material and footwear production processes. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to present findings to the respective teams.

• Possess a working knowledge of Microsoft office suite, PLM system.
• Strong understanding of how footwear is made.
• 5+ years in textile industry working with fabrics, yarns and materials for footwear.

More practical skills needed :

• BA / BS or equivalent.
• Expert in Microsoft Office and Google Drive.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite a plus.

What do we offer?

In Office : The pay range for this role is : $118,000- $130,000 and must be performed in our San Francisco, CA corporate office.

Allbirds routinely evaluates pay rates, and the ranges are subject to change based on market rates and other considerations.

We factor in a number of components when determining starting pay, including the job and level you are hired into, location, skillset, experience and peer compensation.

Benefits Overview :

• Health benefits include Medical, Dental, and Vision plans for employees and eligible dependents.
• Financial benefits include : company equity for eligible roles, 401(k) with employer matching contribution (with immediate vesting and pre and post-tax options), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, company-paid life insurance for full time roles, short-term and long-term disability, pre-tax savings programs for eligible healthcare, childcare and commuter expenses for both full and part-time roles, medical travel expense reimbursement program for full and part-time roles.
• Unlimited PTO for full-time corporate roles, sick and vacation time for other roles, plus parental leave (with a new parent bonus for full-time employees), volunteering, medical & family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting.
• Support benefits through Modern Health (free mental health benefit with coaching and therapy sessions), Employee Assistance Program and more.
• Other Perks include : the company discount (50%) on most Allbirds products, discount mall through LifeBalance, reimbursement on eligible wellness expenses (full-time employees) and cellphone and more for certain eligible roles.

Diversity

Allbirds is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. Allbirds policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, marital or veteran status, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member), sexual orientation, pregnancy, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

It also prohibits discrimination based on a perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.

All such discrimination is unlawful.

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