Footwear Developer

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 125 million single-use plastic bottles and 400,000 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.

Working to close Rothy’s loop by 2023, 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.

About the Role:
Rothy’s is seeking a dynamic and innovative Footwear Product Development Manager to join our team. We are looking for a creative professional with technical skills and a fascination for crafting products that delight customers. In this role, you'll have the unique opportunity to travel and collaborate directly with our factory in China, playing a key role in bringing our sustainable and cutting-edge designs to life. You will partner closely with our product design team to develop and launch new silhouettes that embody the Rothy's brand. If you're excited about creating products that make a difference, and have a love for fashion and sustainability, we want to hear from you!

Reporting to the Vice President, Product Development, this role is highly collaborative and works closely with cross-functional partners in Product Design, CAD Design, Merchandising, Merchandise Planning, Production and our Factory. This role will require occasional meetings or attention to business needs after office hours, to accommodate partnership with foreign vendors’ hours.

What you’ll do:

• Collaborate with Product Design and our Factory to develop footwear from concept through commercialization to achieve both the desired consumer facing aesthetic and deliver on technical fit and quality consistent with strategy

• Evaluate and provide valuable input on bottom and component blueprints, upper patterns, knitting and materials from a performance, fit, construction, costing and manufacturing perspective

• Collaborate with various teams to find solutions in product development to save costs, avoid delays, and ensure financial targets are met

• Analyze cost differences for prototypes and go through CBDs, yields, cost and negotiate costing to achieve product margin goals and prepare suggestion for direction

• Partner with the Production team to achieve high levels of fit consistency and comfort from initial design to evolution through production

• Effectively evaluate materials for physical characteristics and function in order to specify appropriate materials for development projects and ensure cost-effectiveness, identify and select materials to bring into production consistent with strategy

• Serve as a key stakeholder in reviews for all sample rounds (prototype, development, fit, confirmation, TOP) and enhance the production quality consistency

• Lead meetings with product teams during various development phases to review, evaluate, update and drive the decision making process that leads to on–time production and target margin in line with strategy

• Proactively communicate with the factory team on product development execution, keeping communication open and transparent across corporate and factory teams

• Strive for continuous improvement in areas of product integrity, ongoing efficiency improvements, cost savings and fit consistency consistent with footwear product goals and overall production strategy

You are:

• Able to lead and drive strategy with minimal guidance

• Able to navigate with your colleagues, stakeholders, cross functional teams to achieve against goals and strategies

• Able to interpret design intent/product needs and offer alternative solutions

• Proactive and thrive in a start-up environment; a quick learner; an out of the box thinker and active problem solver

• Collaborative and team player

• Energized by change, humble and curious

• A highly effective communicator and relationship builder

• Detail oriented with exceptional follow through skills

• Able to travel domestically (1-3 times per year) and internationally (quarterly)

You have:

• 10 years or more of experience in developing or producing footwear, accessories/handbag experience is a plus

• A bachelor’s degree in biomechanics, engineering, kinesiology, or other applicable technical degrees. Experience will be considered in place of degree

• Contemporary knowledge of product construction, materials, design applications, costing, lab testing and molding

• Experience reviewing and analyzing costing and testing information to identify potential solutions/improvements

• A strong understanding of Footwear Development and commercialization process

• Experience in working and communicating with Asia based offices and vendors 

• Strong computer skills (PLM, Google sheets/doc/PPT); Adobe Illustrator experience a plus

Our benefits:

• Generous paid time off

• 401k matching

• Comprehensive health plans for you and your family

• Supplemental mental health benefits

• Healthy snacks 

• Monthly wellness reimbursement 

• Quarterly product allowance!

Rothy's is committed to the health and safety of our employees and customers. In support of that, we require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before their first day with Rothy's if allowed by applicable state law. If you have a health-related need or religious belief that prevents you from getting the vaccine, let's chat so we can explore reasonable accommodations. Have questions or concerns? Just let your recruiter know. We're happy to walk through them.  

Work Location Expectations: 

Is local and able to work in the SF Office three or more days per week; the Production team is routinely in the office Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and as needed on other days