Inspires and leads the Product Management, Product Development, Global Merchandising, Materials, Engineering, Global Design, and Global Innovation teams across all categories in KEEN in alignment with the company’s budget and Long-Range Plan. Providing direction through cross-communication and cross-functional collaboration among all go-to-manufacturing, go-to-market, and Sales departments. Responsible for establishing strategic direction and lifecycle of all categories, focusing on seasonal merchandising to optimize sales and brand presence across the globe. Lead the Design and PD to a superior product engine by driving all technical, conceptual, and design communications within the product teams as well as with otherdepartments, business units, suppliers, and factory partners with regards to design, development, fit, Lasts, patterns, blueprints, 3D models, quality, materials, processes, etc. Collaborates with cross-functional departments to achieve and maximize product gross margin targets aligned with the company goals.

The VP of Global Product & Innovation inspires and leads the Product Development, Materials, Engineering, Design, and Innovation teams across all categories in KEEN in alignment with the company’s budget and Long-Range Plan (LRP). The role is responsible for providing expertdirection through excellent cross-communication and cross-functional collaboration amongst all go-to-manufacturing and go-to-market departments. This role is responsible for leading a superior product engine by driving all technical, conceptual, and design communications within the product teams as well as with other departments, business units, suppliers, and factory partners with regards to design, development, fit, last, patterns, blueprints, 3D models, quality, materials, processes, etc. Collaborates with cross-functional departments to achieve and maximize product gross margin targets aligned with the company goals. Accountable to lead the teams, inspire and optimize team functionality at its fullest capacity and establish a strategic direction.

Global Sourcing of Fashion Handbags & Accessories for the expertly crafted leather handbags and accessories that combine quality, artistry, and style. Supporting the Operations and the Digital Pattern Engineering of an amazing team of designers that create 100 percent of our products in-house, in Massachusetts.Global Sourcing / Commercialization / Quality Assurance Control / Leather & Materials / Pattern Department / Planning and U.S. Factory: Lead the Operation teams across inception to final product approval for outsourcing as well as our factory in Fairhaven, MA• Lead and Drive a Global Strategic Sourcing Strategy that diversifies our manufacturing landscape, minimizes our risks and maximizes cost efficiencies from an FOB and BOM perspective. • Lead, drive our on-site Pattern Making team & Sample room in Fairhaven, MA to support the Product Creation team. All patterns and samples are produced here in Fairhaven, MA; Engineered appropriately, then building out process to send out to outsourced factories in Asia• Lead, Drive and Implement the Sourcing team – Purchasing Finished Goods, Leathers, Materials Globally, Costing Team and help implement new processes. • Drive a planning process across the branded platform to support our retail, wholesale and direct to consumer distribution. • Build out a seasonal strategy and scope for Operations, Pattern Team, Engineering and Planning to better service Product, Finance, Merchandising, Marketing, and Operations. • Leads and Operates the Global Operations team in China and Southeast Asia in Development, Commercialization, and Manufacturing• Leads, Drives and Implements Quality Control, AQL and Quality Assurance globally – Fairhaven Factory and Asia Outsourced factories.

Advanced Concepts: Leading a team of engineers that focuses on uncovering footwear advancement opportunities. Maximize technology to enhance fit, function, performance and marketable technologies. Focusing on in-depth end use studies with a hands-on approach that observes, assesses and participates. Identify advancement of technology opportunities and validate through in-house labs. Maximize process, ability and global focus on Material, Construction and Patentable Innovations across all 12 brands. Virtual Innovations: Leading a team of talented 3D Footwear Modelers in multiple locations in U.S. and Asia. Responsible for leading a team that drives all facets of 3D technology, virtual costing, and 3D printing capabilities. PLM: Responsible for the Development and the Implementation of an effective PLM Interface with Real-Time Interaction and Solutions across all modules and platforms in all 12 WWW Brands. Driving an efficient workflow between U.S. and Asia to maximize speed to market development and collaboration between brands & Factories. PDM: Responsible and Accountable for the implementation of PDM across all WWW Brands. Managing teams to support Global Materials Library, 3D Last Library, 2D Engineering team to support end to end virtual innovation; hands off, BOM Building and a 3D Rendering Team to support design across Brands VP Global Sourcing for Saucony, Sperry, Keds and SRCG GroupThe Boston Based Group consists of the Sperry, Keds, Saucony, Stride Rite and Grasshopper brands representing $1.2B in revenue globally. Identify, analyze and present alternative approaches in alternative regional sourcing, cost engineering, Direct to Consumer initiatives, Speed to Market and other impactful initiatives that help support brand growth and stabilization.

Product Development: Lead the 12 Branded PD teams across all Wolverine Worldwide Brands from preliminary inception to final product approval. Lead the teams within the organization to drive product innovation, set up the foundation for production automation while managing best in class product engineering for all of the Wolverine Worldwide Brands. Drive the allocation of product placement to align with Corporate, Branded and Sourcing LRP’s. Engaging with development challenges and opportunities, ensuring on-time delivery of all scheduled milestones and delegating work across the product development organization. Drives the PD Operations team to support PDM, PLM, Virtual Innovations, Engineering, Outsole/Midsole/Footbed & Mold operations. Advanced Concepts: Leading a team of engineers that focuses on uncovering footwear advancement opportunities. Maximize technology to enhance fit, function, performance and marketable technologies. Focusing on in-depth end use studies with a hands-on approach that observes, assesses and participates. Identify advancement of technology opportunities and validate through in-house labs. Virtual Innovations: Leading a team of talented 3D Footwear Modelers in multiple locations in U.S. and Asia. Responsible for leading a team that drives all facets of 3D technology, virtual costing, and 3D printing capabilities. PLM: Responsible for the Development and the Implementation of an effective PLM Interface with Real-Time Interaction and Solutions across all modules and platforms in all 12 WWW Brands. Driving an efficient workflow between U.S. and Asia to maximize speed to market development and collaboration between brands & Factories. PDM: Responsible and Accountable for the implementation of PDM across all WWW Brands. Managing teams to support Global Materials Library, 3D Last Library, 2D Engineering team to support end to end virtual innovation; hands off, BOM Building and a 3D Rendering Team to support design across Brands

The Wolverine Lifestyle Group consists of the Sperry, Keds, Hush Puppies, Stride Rite, Soft Style and Grasshopper brands representing $850M in revenue globally. The Sourcing profile is comprised of 36M pair of shoes, 14 countries (Asia, India and Western Hemisphere) and 40+ factories. Initiate the strategic and operational expertise regarding the Footwear perspectives within the WWW Lifestyle Group initiatives ensuring that implementation proposals are appropriate for the brand/divisions - specific needs. Identify, analyze and present alternative approaches in alternative regional sourcing, cost engineering, Direct to Consumer initiatives, Speed to Market and other impactful initiatives that help support brand growth and stabilization.Diversification of the sourcing platform globally that fully informs the brands with awareness of the factors (geo-political, economic and strategic) likely to impact business operations in the sourced country. Secures, maintains and supports the highest quality factories and suppliers available within the assigned country. Ensures the business relationships between WWW and its key factories and suppliers are maintained at the highest level of trust and integrity.Leads a team of Sourcing Directors to manage and support the strategic and tactical needs specifically related to the Lifestyle Group brand initiatives.

A primary point-of-contact to all functional experts within the Global Operations Group and responsible for overseeing all sourcing activities in these areas. Responsible for regions factory selection to optimize production resources in support of the integrated line plan. Investigate new, innovative sources on productionEnsure timely, effective communications on production status in development, quality, delivery and cost.Manage action items to drive process improvement, systems enhancements, and organizational alignment between the Global Operations Group and the Brand Groups.Participate in the evolution of our Strategic Sourcing Plans by aligning the needs of the Brand Groups (source country, construction, price point, innovation) with WH source opportunities.Drive improved performance across Price, Quality, Delivery, and Corporate Social Responsibility for WWW.

Managing the Development and early Commercialization process. Direct the product development process by partnering with Design, Product Management, Costing, Materials and Tech Services in taking the product from concept stage through commercialization.Sourcing ~ Responsible for global sourcing initiatives by engaging with key partners in order to fluently produce quality product in new areas of the global chain.

Responsible for Development, Commercialization, Quality Control and Production related process. Directs all members of the Product Team (Development, Commercialization, Quality Control and Production)Manages current and new processes to help streamline the Product Development flow through cycle. On a daily basis, runs the Product Development department for the Eastland and Underfoot brands.Brand Integrity, Brand Direction & Brand GrowthCreative & Innovative thinking on alternative constructions for footwear that could benefit costing, marketing and fit.Shopping the market place in U.S as well as Europe for inspiration.Sketching the constructions, uppers and bottoms in 2D Illustrator or other alternative ways to communicate our design intentions to our suppliers off-site.Conceptualized color trends season to season with presentationsManaging the Development Calendar so that both brands can meet all concept, protos, sales samples, initial fitting and commercialization milestone expectations.Sourcing and Commercializing the product and insuring product integrity with all factories

Participate in Market Research activities such as leather and material supplier meetings as needed to become familiar with current retail and material trends. Help in the Line building process for the Eastland Women’s brand as well as the Underfoot brand. Responsible for assembling and distributing the Technical Data Packages for new Development projects, including:Drawing the original 2D Upper sketches Freehand or in ILLUSTRATORDrawing the original 2D Bottom sketches Freehand or in ILLUSTRATOR (at 1:1 scale)Last DevelopmentMold Development (outsole and ornamentations)Construction instructionsMaterial specificationsSketch design and coordination - to be sure that the corresponding sketches clearly help communicate the desired end product.Responsible for giving clear direction on all Last, Blueprint changes/corrections to assure standards set by the Eastland Brand.Travel to the factories in Asia, as well as other countries as needed to initiate and coordinate the development of new product. Work with the Costing Department to catalog costing information

Contributes to the research and implementation of new and existing materials, components and shoe making techniques in order to aid design and advance the innovation of the product for the assigned category. Maintains the daily development activities with respect to their assigned projects to achieve seasonal category results from conception through completion of approved confirmation standards and buy readiness. •Project Management •Leadership Product Integrity – 1.Last Development 2.Upper Development 3.Mold Development 4.Material & Component Development 5.Costing Objectives6.Technical Package Development 7.Forward Engineering 8.Travel - Travel to manufacturing locations globally.Working closely with the Designers and Product Managers to execute the product exactly as originally conceptualized while maintaining Product Integrity.

•Pattern Maker/Model Maker/Grading of Shoe Product•Experienced model maker who followed projects through from the draft stage to production.•Traveled to Asia to develop new prototypes and expedite them.•Part of the Global Sourcing Team (Brazil, DR, Italy and Asia). •Worked with factories globally in the early stages of technical development.•Sketching new samples for line builders, line sheets and catalog. •Testing of new materials and components.•In charge of the Initial Fitting Process which includes approval of all tooling•Thoroughly reviewed lasts, last bottoms, draft, last heel curve templates, last ball to heel templates.•Reviewed the materials, technical drawings, molds, and spec sheets.•In charge of the pattern production write ups for: soles, cutting die, markers, machine dies and computer stitching.•Manufacturing – Cutting, Stitching, Lasting, Making Room experience, packing room/finishing