Product Creation Director

San Francisco, CA  | |

At Rothy’s, we know there’s a better way to do business, and it starts by putting the planet and its people first. More than 179 million single-use plastic bottles and 629,000 pounds of ocean-bound marine plastic have been transformed into our signature thread, creating wardrobe staples that look just as good as they feel. 

Striving for zero waste, we combine 3D knitting technology and handcrafted assembly to create machine washable styles that don’t compromise on comfort. From classic shoes to carry-everywhere bags, we create essentials for wherever you go.

At Rothy’s, building a sustainable future is at the heart of everything we do. We pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive environment at our HQ, retail stores and wholly-owned factory, and are growing our community every day. 

About the Team:

Production is always one step ahead. While a lot of functions are responsible for responding to moments in the here and now, this team is always looking towards the future. From finessing the production of our silhouettes to developing new materials, our production gurus work hand-in-hand with our factory team to make sure the wheels of Rothy’s keep turning on our quest for a more sustainable future. 

We’re looking for an experienced leader to join our team as Product Creation Director, to develop and drive the strategy and execution of our footwear and accessories product development. You will steer our talented footwear and accessory teams towards new and innovative products with curiosity, passion, and innovation. With exceptional technical skills and creative problem solving, you’ll pioneer the future through innovative knit solutions tailored for new footwear silhouettes and accessories. In this hands-on leadership role, you’ll enable the development of new methods of construction while supporting research and development of product innovations in our established manufacturing methods. Reporting into the Chief Supply Chain Officer, you'll collaborate closely with Product Design, CAD, Production, Merchandising, and our Factory, as well as executive leadership to evolve our processes and ensure our products are second to none. Our rapid growth and unique position as a self-reliant, vertically integrated company with a specialization in 3-D knit technology offer a dynamic environment where your expertise and leadership will directly shape the future of our product line.

What you’ll do:

  • Lead Product Development and partner with product design, CAD and our factory team to develop and produce innovative footwear and accessories 
  • Develop and oversee the product creation budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness with efficiency improvements to meet gross margin (GM) targets across all product categories. Develop production and design cost-reduction strategies that maintain product quality 
  • Through collaboration with product design, CAD, developers and our factory team you will contribute to the performance, aesthetic and manufacturability of new innovations. You will use prototyping skills, technical engineering knowledge, and hands on experience to execute the design, as well as, refine and carefully document part and tool designs to create new products 
  • Streamline product development processes for maximum efficiency and ensure all products adhere to industry standards and quality control best practices. Monitor product readiness, report on its status, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify and act on opportunities for product improvement
  • Ensure that technical specifications for our footwear meet industry standards for performance and comfort. Take charge of and improve the fit testing process for all products, and foster the product development team's expertise in technical footwear design. Monitor and maintain the consistency of fit across all footwear silhouettes
  • Drive material innovation excellence through the connection of design, development and sustainability and push the boundaries of design
  • Assess and select suppliers based on quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, developing a strategic sourcing plan for materials and components to ensure a robust and reliable supply chain. Establish criteria for maintaining key supplier relationships and monitor global market conditions to adapt sourcing strategies 
  • Champion the adoption of new technologies and materials to keep our product development at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Encourage the team to explore alternative design concepts and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Initiate pilot projects to experiment with innovative ideas and liaise with industry experts to stay informed on emerging trends 
  • Lead and engage the product development team, setting clear goals and performance metrics. Conduct regular meetings to maintain alignment and provide coaching for career growth. Optimize team productivity by organizing structures and roles, and encourage open communication, innovation, and collaboration

You are:

  • An effective product development leader with deep experience and technical expertise in footwear
  • A process expert, from footwear product creation to merchandising milestones, with strong knowledge of the brief to box process 
  • A pragmatic thinker and creative problem solver who will proactively research and drive collective resolution
  • Excited by moving fast, investing deeply in relationships, and working through ambiguity within a high growth environment
  • Able to maintain a high level of integrity and flexibility while driving results, and working effectively within a developing organization
  • Able to thrive in a dynamic environment and navigate effectively through ambiguity

You have:

  • Minimum 15 years of relevant technical experience within footwear product creation or related function 
  • Deep knowledge of footwear product creation, 3D knitting, sourcing, engineering and costing; extensive materials experience 
  • A demonstrated portfolio of work, with clear examples of engineering design and problem-solving ability
  • Demonstrated passion for advanced innovation, product creation and manufacturing processes
  • Extensive experience with developing global sourcing strategy with a diversified country matrix and risk profile analysis
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
  • Demonstrated experience on-boarding, coaching, and developing team members

Our benefits:

  • Generous paid time off
  • 401k matching
  • Comprehensive health plans for you and your family
  • Supplemental mental health benefits
  • Monthly wellness reimbursement
  • Employee Discount Program!

Pay range:

$196,000 - $231,000 annually

Base pay is one part of the total rewards package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work.  This role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, as well as a comprehensive benefits package.

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