Lead Footwear Materials Developer - Jordan Brand (Multiple Openings)

Nike • Beaverton, OR

5d

About The Position

Jordan Brand Footwear is seeking an experienced materials professional to help shape its product portfolio through material excellence, innovation, and strategic leadership. The role leads material strategies that create distinctive, athlete-focused experiences while balancing performance, quality, sustainability, manufacturability, speed, and cost.

The Lead Footwear Materials Developer serves as a subject matter expert and collaborates across Product Creation, including Material Design, Product Management, Footwear Development, Engineering, Product Testing, Sourcing, Sustainability, vendors, and manufacturing teams worldwide. The role leads material development from concept through commercialization, anticipates and resolves risks, influences cross-functional decisions, and mentors teammates while helping develop the Materials Development function.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials, Chemistry, Product Development, Product Engineering, or a related field; a suitable combination of education, experience, and training will also be accepted.
• 6 or more years of directly applicable work experience.
• Deep understanding of material manufacturing processes, testing methods, commercialization, and the product creation process.
• Proven ability to lead complex material development and drive results through cross-functional teams.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities, interpret design intent, and offer alternative solutions.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Successful experience mentoring or managing people.
• Computer proficiency, including working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and job-required systems.
• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time.
• Passion for innovation, athlete-focused product creation, and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

• Lab testing experience and ability to interpret results.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive material strategies that enable athlete-focused innovation and product distinction.
• Partner with Design, Product Management, Footwear Development, Engineering, Product Testing, PMO, PCC teams, vendors, and Manufacturing teams to bring concepts to life.
• Lead material selection, sourcing, validation, and commercialization to ensure material and product readiness and strong execution.
• Drive material innovation opportunities that improve performance, sustainability, quality, and consumer value.
• Identify risks early and lead solutions with product creation, vendor, and manufacturing partners.
• Influence material decisions that balance athlete needs, business objectives, and operational realities.
• Build partnerships with suppliers and manufacturing teams to accelerate speed and improve outcomes.
• Keep abreast of market trends, new technology, and consumer and training industry knowledge.
• Mentor and develop teammates while contributing to the growth of the Materials Development function.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior