Product & Materials Manager - Hush Puppies

In 1958, Hush Puppies introduced the world to a new kind of footwear- shoes with casual, comfortable style with a loveable Basset Hound icon. Today Hush Puppies is a global footwear brand known for comfort, optimism and classic, casual style. With over 8 Million pairs sold every year, 670 stores in over 120 countries around the world, Hush Puppies has become more than a global brand, it's a cultural icon

Wolverine Worldwide is a Great Place To Work® Certified™ company, underscoring its commitment to prioritizing employee experience and cultivating an amazing company culture across its U.S. operations. The Great Place To Work Certification distinguishes employers that prioritize employee experience, based on employees’ survey feedback on trust, camaraderie, and appreciation in the workplace

The Product and Materials Manager drives product, material, and process excellence by partnering with PLM & Design to translate the design intent throughout the entire development process.

Primary Duties

• Manage the product creation process from design to buy-ready in partnership with design and sourcing partners, by utilizing creative and technical skills. Serves as a pro-active conduit between Design and sourcing partners throughout the seasonal development process.
• Propose design and/or sample changes, as appropriate, to better align to the original drawings or visual intent and brief targets.
• Lead and manage a robust review process of each technical packs against the briefing goals and effectively communicate results to help inform/improve product creation and manufacturability.
• Create and maintain the brand’s core, as well as seasonal materials library books in Rockford to encompass a variety of textures and prices options at each factory.
• Partner with sourcing and/or material suppliers to find new seasonal materials based on the needs of the seasonal briefs and product direction.
• Responsible for defining and maintaining consistent fit within the brand. Acts as the liaison between WWW fit team and Agent/Sourcing partner.
• Collaborates with PLM & design on product briefs to set pricing expectations for construction, technology, materials, etc.
• Responsible for writing commercial, compelling, detailed specs that ensure hitting brief targets and maximize effectiveness.
• Participate in field research to identify industry trends, competitive direction, customer expectations and consumer perceptions; integrates research into thought process and design.
• Captures and communicates logistics of new line development product data from prototype to final sales sample for new line development. Manages the seasonal sample status.
• Approve invoices and other expenses related directly to product development.
• Performs duties consistent with the Company’s AAP/EEO goals and policies.
• Performs other duties as required/assigned by manager.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• 7 years of product development experience required.
• Technically and creatively proficient with an extensive understanding of footwear constructions and ability to adjust designs as needed.
• Advanced knowledge of fit/construction and costing.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and visually through sketches, illustrations, specs and renderings.
• Exceptional follow-through skills and attention to detail.
• Supports a culture of curiosity and innovation through a test & learn approach.
• Working knowledge of materials science and their application in product design.
• Solid communication skills are required, including the ability to manage strong and effective cross functional relationships within the organization.
• In-depth computer skills and preferred experience with 3D, Adobe Illustrator and Photo-Shop software.
  
  

Working Conditions

Normal office environment. Some travel may be required.

Wolverine Worldwide has a flexible, hybrid work schedule, with three days in office and two days remote.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.

Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. is committed to creating a company that is as diverse as our consumers. We value the differences in one another and believe our differences make us stronger. Our diverse and inclusive corporate culture starts with the recruitment process. We are committed to being an equal opportunity employer. We aim to create equal opportunities for our associates, customers, and suppliers regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic.