The posting
Who We Are:
At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.
Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.
Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:
- Runner First We act in the best interest of the runner
- Word is Bond We do what we say we’ll do
- Champion Heart We give our all in everything we do
- There is no “I” in Run We stay generous with our humanity
- Keep Moving We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!
We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.
Your Job:
The Principal Chemical Engineer, Innovation is the key technical lead in researching and developing new materials and processes and setting the future technical materials strategy for the team. You are also responsible for the mentoring and technical training of global Material Science teammates. You take pride in developing strategic opportunities, being able to research and create solutions from a runner-centered approach to create innovative solutions that lead our industry and delight runners. You will take a leadership role amongst your peers in Footwear and Apparel Innovation to help drive the project teams to successfully achieve our strategic materials goals. This role will work with highly creative product line managers, designers, developers, biomechanists, engineers, and external partners. The work will include brainstorming, prototyping and testing ideas that will challenge current thinking to create new materials and new ways of leading performance in the running market. Your projects will include our most difficult innovation challenges ranging from fast-to-market and elite athlete solutions to long-term future concepts investigations.
To be successful, you must have advanced knowledge of the multi-faceted processes and materials that make up our product lines (footwear and apparel). Success will include incorporating brand strategy, runner insight, biomechanics, product creation, manufacturing, operations and go to market needs in any solution. Critical responsibilities include materials innovation, analyzing manufacturing capabilities, anticipating problems, facilitating problem solving and addressing issues in a timely manner. The position will be responsible for generating ideas regarding the materials and technical principles that enhance our products’ performance and value with the ability to communicate ideas across all product teams. In addition, an understanding of design and development processes from inception through production is essential, as well as an ability to act as a technical resource to mentor, coach and train.
Your Responsibilities:
- Responsible for leading, mentoring and driving global Material Science project teams on our most complex and impactful innovation initiatives with the goal of creating new materials and processes.
- Own the long-term compound research strategy and execution to achieve leadership in running performance technology
- Lead with specialized knowledge of advanced materials and manufacturing processes to create new materials innovations to enhance the overall performance of product and deliver technical solutions at the highest level for our most challenging runner problems.
- Own the Materials Formulary and maintain our working plan for all key compounds under development
- Lead the buildout of a system of key research university partnerships and relationships with critical materials suppliers that will allow us to create a long term leadership position in performance materials.
- Provide technical guidance, coaching, consultation, and training for the Material Science team to foster a culture of collaboration, excellence, optimism, learning and personal development to build a pipeline of talent.
- Participate in the creation of the advanced research and development calendar and processes and effectively manage and guide key innovation programs (related collections of projects to achieve a goal).
- Act as a key member of the innovation technical leads with responsibility to actively participate in project reviews and feedback, build consensus with other Managers, and deliver projects to completion through the Innovation Process.
- Participate in high level strategic discussions and provide guidance to ensure successful development and execution of the assigned R&D portfolio having direct impact and oversight on functional projects.
- Proven ability to lead, influence and gain buy-in and trust across the function and enterprise without command/ control to meet strategic objectives.
- Act as a key contributor to the Innovation roadmap defining the tools, technology and people resources required to deliver upon strategies. Advise Innovation leadership on the optimal path forward to achieve strategies.
- Ability to inform the weighing of significant product decisions and anticipate how each weighed option may affect our customers, our partners, our products or other departments’ operations and/or morale;
- Act as role model, mentoring and raising the technical aptitude of the entire team;
- Ensure footwear and apparel teams can meet long-term Sustainability goals through projects driven by the Innovation team
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Footwear, Apparel, Merchandising, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, Business, Operations) to establish product validation & specifications, resource planning, costing, manufacturing scale up, process adherence and opportunity for improvement
- International and domestic travel as required to achieve a high level of product and technology development, including visits to manufacturing and supplier home countries/ factories to assist and review testing, commercialization and production.
- Participate in key business and cultural milestones (evaluations, shows, etc.) and organize team training, events, and travel that help build cohesiveness and trust
- May manage up to one direct report and act as a workstream lead for a team of technical experts.
Your Qualifications:
- Masters or Doctorate in Chemical Engineering or Polymer Materials Science (or equivalent experience).
- Proven leadership experience in a complex organization with an ability to mentor and influence in a collaborative, cross-functional matrixed group to meet strategic objectives
- 10+ years of proven experience in connecting fundamental materials science with product application engineering. Experience with footwear is a large benefit.
- Prior experience managing technical associates is a plus.
- Strong Project Management skills with a keen attention to detail in planning, organization and execution of tasks (self and through others), while still seeing the big picture and understanding how all the pieces fit together and affect one another.
- Strong presentation skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills in a multi-cultural setting, with an advanced ability to communicate new ideas, complex concepts and functional expertise in a learning environment and influencing key internal and external stakeholders
- Demonstrated ability to develop highly productive relationships with individuals and teams that are made up of diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds resulting in effective working relationships across the company.
- Proven ability to lead, collaborate with and influence cross-functional peers in the innovation process
- Must be optimistic that a solution to difficult challenges can always be found, with the perseverance to keep investigating options until it is.
- Curious and open-minded; always open for a challenge, inventive, creative. Ability to challenge the status quo – always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details.
- Passionate participation in Brooks’ sports activities a plus, overridden by the ability to understand and empathize with the runner to develop loyal engaging relationships with our customers, partners and the Brooks’ community.
- Unwavering demonstration of Brooks’ corporate values: Runner First, Word is Bond, Champion Heart, There's No "I" In Run, and Keep Moving
- Strong computer skills including experience with MS office
- A passion for the running enthusiast and active lifestyle
- Global travel 30%.
At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.
