Director of Product Engineering, Fit & Development

ABOUT THE POSITION

As Mountain Hardwear’s Director of Product Engineering, Fit & Development you maintain skill working across multiple products and functions, from construction, fit standards, 3D software, graphics, and textiles, to trims.

The end goal? Attain Product Excellence. Your background includes end-to-end work on product creation, calendar deadlines and project management.

Within this role you will be responsible for executing the product excellence vision and strategic direction for all apparel, equipment, and accessories Product Development functions.

Here you’ll demonstrate creative problem solving and forward thinking with the ability to collaborate with cross functional stakeholders.

As the leader of a team of makers that includes developers, pattern makers and fit engineers, you’ll work across all product lines, managing all stages from design concept to commercialization.

You’ll be part of discussions on meeting on-time delivery dates, supporting the team with technical recommendations that serve our athletes and consumers, raising opportunities for improvement, and offering solutions in a fast-paced environment.

We’re looking for a leader who can establish and nourish a culture of product excellence, be an active listener and effective communicator, and exercise influence while demonstrating credibility and reliability.

Leadership skills include optimism, self-awareness, accountability to decisions and actions, and an openness to feedback for personal growth and development.

It is important this leader functions as an ally, valuing the opinions of teammates, and embracing the diversity of people, ideas and cultures.

HOW YOU’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Lead and direct MHW teams of category aligned Product and Fit Development personnel on all aspects of product commercialization.

Ensure the category aligned teams are working in close cooperation with cross functional partners to achieve company goals

Develop the yearly business plan and operational budget for the Product Development functional department, in conjunction with long term corporate and manufacturing business goals and objectives.

Upon completion, drive the plan throughout the Product Development Department, and build a sense of ownership. Monitor the performance of the Product Development Department and ensure compliance with established business plans and budgets

Create vision and long-range product development strategies to drive increased efficiency and effectiveness in our product development processes.

Clearly articulate and promote this vision across partner teams to ensure understanding and support of strategic objectives.

Build the infrastructure and tools necessary to achieve strategic objectives

Establish product development strategies, goals and objectives holding the Product Development team accountable to the dates and timelines within the overall product creation calendar.

Provide clear focus, direction, and expectations

Drive the successful execution of key seasonal work tasks related to category specific product commercialization activities : BOM / SPEC package, prototyping, fit / patterns / blocks, buy ready, and other related activities

Define key performance metrics and develop tools to measure performance of Product Development staff, liaison office staff, and supplier base on issues accountable to product development.

Develop strategies to make improvements in non-performing areas.

Collaborate with other functional directors on issues related to the interface between Product Development and other functions.

Act as the voice and face for the Product Engineering organization and be proactive in addressing issues with other functions.

Create a strong presence for Product Development.

Create a work environment that builds morale, fosters open dialogue, and creates a feeling of belonging to a team. Develop subordinates through providing challenging tasks and responsibilities.

Teach and lead by example

YOU ARE

A strong team leader and team steward

Capable of guiding and inspiring a culture of product excellence through collaboration

Skilled at cross functional allyship and support

A natural problem solver

Adept at internal and external influence and negotiation

Able to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion across strategies and varied situations

YOU HAVE

A college degree with a focus on Business, Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred. Applied, relevant experience in lieu of a degree is welcome

10+ years apparel product process / operations experience, with a proven track record of managing and leading people. Offshore apparel liaison office experience preferred, as well as home office experience in managing a product development department

Deep functional knowledge of product development process, procedures, and activities. Working knowledge of garment and textile manufacturing processes, factory evaluation techniques and vendor compliance requirements

Thorough understanding of apparel product process from concept through to order delivery from the factory. Thorough understanding of the process related to costing of garments and materials

High level understanding of forecasting, buy planning, factory loading, capacity planning

Working knowledge in the global trade of garment and material sourcing options

Proven leadership skill and the ability to build, manage and motivate multiple teams

LI-JC1

Hybrid

Mountainhardwear

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.

Columbia Sportswear 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.

The Know Your Rights poster is available here : The pay transparency policy is available here : Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please notify your recruiter.

Salary Range : $173,800 - $290,000*Pay decisions are determined by multiple factors, including what the market is paying, a candidate’s capabilities and skills, years of experience, and internal equity.

At Columbia Sportswear Company, we’re proud to offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes a variety of services and products to help make your life and work more rewarding.

Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well-being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well-being : physical, social / emotional, financial, career and community.

Benefits that can protect your family’s financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match.

Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services).

In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24 / 7 / 365 counseling services. We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available.