Lead Materials Manufacturing, Footwear

Become a Part of the NIKE, Inc. Team

NIKE, Inc. does more than outfit the world’s best athletes. It is a place to explore potential, obliterate boundaries and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At NIKE, Inc. it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving game.

The first spark of a product idea sets the NIKE, Inc. Product team into motion. The team of developers, testers, engineers, designers and managers obsess over Nike’s iconic silhouettes and create groundbreaking new styles. They collaborate, ideate and refine products’ construction, fit and materials. They maintain a keen understanding of consumer and market trends. They skillfully operate at the intersection of buyer needs, technical feasibility and business objectives. And they work lockstep with Merchandising, Design, Manufacturing and others to produce the final result: products that reflect the soul of sport and inspire athletes to reach new levels of performance.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH

Our Materials Manufacturing team drives the expansion and evolution of material palettes, collaborating with new and existing suppliers to ensure success of material sourcing for our products. This role plays a critical part in ensuring materials are sourced efficiently while meeting cost, quality, and production timelines.

You will partner closely across Materials Supply Chain, including with Partner/Materials Management, Materials Sourcing, and Materials Costing. You will bring an enterprise mindset and learn from our Footwear Materials and Chemical Engineering teams while implementing solutions that best serve the needs of the footwear business. You will work cross-functionally with finished goods footwear sourcing and partner management teammates, as well as with key partners in Materials Integrity. You will build strong relationships with our suppliers and represent Nike while engaging with external partners.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Materials are key to Innovation and Product Excellence. We have built a new, unified Materials Supply Chain organization which will transform our material capabilities, teams, and processes and accelerate our vision to serve every athlete*.

We are seeking a proactive and strategic individual with a strong background in manufacturing, supply chain, or sourcing. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels in managing supplier relationships, and has a deep understanding of footwear and material production processes. This role is perfect for someone who has a passion for operational excellence, data analytics, and cross-functional collaboration.

As a Lead, Materials Manufacturing on the Footwear Materials Manufacturing, Materials Supply Chain (MatSC) team, you will drive materials excellence in partnership with our Materials vendors, collaborating closely with internal stakeholders.

Detail-oriented and results-driven, you thrive in a cross-functional environment. You are comfortable engaging with different external manufacturing vendors and internal teams, tailoring your messages accordingly and building strong partnerships. This role is perfect for a team-player with drive, curiosity, and strong communication skills.

You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, experience or training

• 7+ years of experience in materials sourcing, costing, manufacturing, or supply chain management, preferably in the footwear industry

• Specific knowledge and experience in chemical engineering, footwear, apparel or accessories manufacturing and supply chain is preferred

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, data-driven mindset. Experience working in data systems or with data analytics is preferred

• Proficiency in quality engineering practices (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen) is preferred

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including meeting facilitation & presentations

• Project, Resolution and time management skills; commitment to delivering results on time

• Ability to network across a complex, matrixed environment, and utilize internal and external resources

• Strong influencing skills & ability to collaborate and drive change with various external partners and cross-functional internal teams

• Comfortable engaging with both external partners and internal stakeholders and building strong partnerships

• Ability to maintain focus through ambiguity and lead change

• Ability to travel 10%

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

In this role, you will manage the manufacturing and production responsibilities related to material palettes and materials quality capabilities. You will:

·Manage the expansion of palettes to both new and existing material suppliers

·Drive multi-sourcing strategies and address allocation concerns with suppliers

·Lead discussions with internal and external stakeholders for material quality/color achievability as production ramps up

·Drive and support palette vendors to deliver strong performance for Materials Manufacturing quality, delivery, costing and sustainability priorities. Ensuring impacts are mitigated and issues are resolved

.Conduct seasonal cost negotiations and collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve production challenges

·Drive an annual calendar of engagement with palette vendors, working collaboratively with the full Footwear Materials Manufacturing team as well as relevant internal stakeholders in the Nike Materials & Supply Chain ecosystem. You will deliver results against immediate needs as well as long term priorities.

NIKE, Inc. is a growth company that looks for team members to grow with it. Nike offers a generous total rewards package, casual work environment, a diverse and inclusive culture, and an electric atmosphere for professional development. No matter the location, or the role, every Nike employee shares one galvanizing mission: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world.

NIKE, Inc. is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.