Director of Manufacturing and Technical Services'

About the Position
As Director of Manufacturing and Technical Services, you will be responsible for creating new rubber compounds developed with Trederra's recycled rubber material for use in footwear outsoles. You will manage and coordinate all development with rubber compounders and outsole factories as well as with consumer brands to meet required specifications for performance and aesthetics. You will prepare and execute all physical standards testing, including RSL testing, to ensure products meet Trederra quality, performance, and cost expectations
Product development
• On-board new rubber compounding facilities within the region as needed
• Anticipate needs for new compounds and start development for future product seasons including compounds with high recycled content, oil resistance, improved durability, and other brand expectations.
• Communicate with Trederra suppliers on development of new products
• Communicate with senior management, footwear brands and technical experts to understand product features, cost, availability, and application to brand products
• Support the Trederra sales team by understanding required product performance and executing on developing the required compound
• Support the Trederra sales team by producing product samples for brand trials and validation
Technical services
• Lead a regional team to 'on-board' new outsole suppliers using Trederra product and provide support services
• Manage testing of rubber compound physical properties
• Manage wear testing of rubber compound by preparing product samples for testing
• Manage RSL testing to ensure materials pass brand standards (AFIRM standards)
• Work with rubber compounds and outsole factories to produce development samples for use by consumer brands
• Work with factory partners to produce bill of materials and associated costing breakdown.
• Create a catalog/database of product compounds including physical samples as well as related formulas and process controls to produce the compound/product
• Work with Trederra team to understand required customs and duties associated with the import/export of the product