Product Developer, Materials
Westwood, MA, US, 02090
At Crocs, Inc., every career offers a chance to make a real impact. No two journeys look the same. And that's exactly how we like it. Whether you’re welcoming customers into our stores, collaborating with global teams at our headquarters, or keeping operations moving at our distribution centers, your impact is real and valued. At Crocs, Inc. you’re not expected to fit a mold. You’re encouraged to break it and create something better.
Overview
The Product Developer, Materials for HEYDUDE independently develops complex footwear materials and partners with the Director, Materials Development to translate the materials strategy into scalable seasonal execution. The role owns assigned material categories and innovation briefs from concept through commercialization, converting strategic direction into actionable development plans, supplier activity, technical requirements, and cross-functional deliverables that meet aesthetic, performance, quality, cost, timing, and scalability requirements. The role also strengthens team capability by mentoring, coaching, and providing day-to-day technical guidance to team members.
What You'll Do
- Own the end-to-end development and commercialization of complex footwear material categories, including textiles, synthetics, leathers, trims, performance components, new-use/new-material concepts, and assigned innovation briefs.
- Partner with the Director, Materials Development to align priorities and execute the materials strategy, translating strategic direction into actionable seasonal plans, category development, supplier engagement, and cross-functional deliverables.
- Translate seasonal material direction and innovation strategy into clear supplier briefs, development plans, technical requirements, testing protocols, approval pathways, and commercialization-ready solutions.
- Lead supplier development activity across sampling, testing, costing, quality validation, capacity, lead times, scalability, and corrective action. Resolve material cost, quality, performance, manufacturability, and scalability issues using data and technical judgment.
- Manage material calendar deliverables and cross-functional handoffs with Design, Product Development, Merchandising, Sourcing, Engineering, Commercialization, regional teams, suppliers, and testing partners. Proactively communicate risks, decisions, and recovery plans.
- Maintain accurate material specifications, testing results, approvals, status, and supporting documentation in PLM, digital material libraries, and related tools in accordance with data-governance standards.
- Partner with footwear developers and engineers to validate material suitability for construction, fit, function, manufacturing, wear, and end-use requirements from concept through release to manufacturing.
- Mentor, coach, and provide day-to-day technical guidance to Associate team members. Contribute to materials playbooks, standards, libraries, supplier capability assessments, process improvements, and knowledge sharing.
What You'll Bring to the Table
- Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Design, Product Development, Business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Minimum 4 years of experience in footwear materials development, textile engineering, footwear product development, or a closely related product-creation function.
- Working knowledge of footwear materials, testing, costing, quality, manufacturing, commercialization, and supplier development processes.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple complex material developments, priorities, and seasonal deadlines in a global product-creation environment.
- Experience partnering with material suppliers, factories, testing laboratories, sourcing teams, and cross-functional product teams.
- Proficiency with PLM systems, specification and approval workflows, project-tracking tools, digital material libraries, and material-data management.
- Strong technical problem-solving, communication, organization, and influencing skills, with the ability to make sound recommendations and drive aligned decisions through ambiguity.
- Demonstrated ability to share technical knowledge, coach less-experienced developers, provide constructive guidance, and support capability development without formal supervisory authority.
- Ability to work effectively across time zones and cultures. Domestic and international travel is required.
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The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We accept applications on an ongoing basis.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability, or any other classification protected by law.
Title: Product Developer, Materials
Salary or Pay Range: $87,000 - $97,000
Pay offered will vary based on job-related factors such as location, experience, training, skills, and abilities.
At Crocs, Inc. we believe in the power of a blend of in-person and virtual collaboration to drive creativity and strengthen relationships. Your participation in this flexible schedule plays a key role in building a connected and successful team. In-office requirements vary by our work personas: Resident (5 days), Collaborator (4 days), Connector (2-3 days), Explorer (fully remote). This role has been aligned to the Collaborator persona.
This organization participates in E-Verify.
This position is eligible to participate in a company incentive program.
This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.
The application window is 45 days, but applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible after the posting date in order to ensure optimal consideration. The posting will be removed if the job is filled before the application window deadline.
Job Category: Corporate
Nearest Major Market: Boston