Director Footwear Engineering(m/w/x)

<p>For our division<b> Quality Management &amp; Product Engineering</b> ,at our location in <b>Köln</b> we are looking for a</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:28.0px"><b>Director Footwear Engineering (m/f/d)</b></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c"><span>Your Shoes to fill:</span></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Lead, mentor, and develop the engineering and operational teams to ensure they perform tasks efficiently and effectively. Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Collaborate closely with the Head of PD/INOP to ensure timely and accurate handovers, ensuring all technical aspects and documentation are properly prepared for COMM/Production teams.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Work with Construction, Technical, and Operational Managers to ensure product readiness from both technical and planning perspectives. Collaborate with QM, COMM, and Planning/Production teams to ensure upper serial trials are properly planned and executed.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Provide regular, detailed reports to VPs and CPOs on the status of product development and engineering activities, ensuring transparency and open communication.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Manage relationships with external partners, particularly mold makers, overseeing price negotiations, tooling development, and deliveries. Stay updated on new technologies and advancements in the industry.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Continuously review, improve, and develop engineering processes to ensure efficiency and alignment with best practices. Share these practices across departments to drive improvement across the organization.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Stay informed of new methods, technologies, machinery, and materials that could benefit the production process. Lead the integration of new innovations where applicable.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Participate in cross-functional projects both within the product team and in collaboration with production, ensuring alignment of goals and objectives.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Effectively manage team operations, including performance evaluations, resource allocation, and team development to support the company’s production goals.</span></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c"><span>your walk of life:</span></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Minimum of 12 years of experience in engineering, with at least 5 years in a leadership role overseeing technical teams.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Extensive experience in shoe manufacturing and a deep understanding of all construction types.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Broad knowledge of 2D/3D grading systems, lasts, and last-making processes. Ability to read blueprints; technical and pattern knowledge is an advantage.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Proficiency in MS Office, project management, and reporting tools. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make decisions under pressure.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Fluent in English; proficiency in German is an advantage.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Proactive, transparent, and able to work under pressure. A systematic, precise, and team-oriented approach is essential for success in this role.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span><span><span style="color:#373a3c">Willingness to travel as needed to collaborate with external and internal stakeholders.</span></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22.0px">WE OFFER:</span></p> <p><span>BIRKENSTOCK offers you all the advantages of a successful, fast growing, global company: dynamic work environment, considerable design freedom, authentic and open corporate culture and excellent development opportunities. Sounds exciting? It is.</span></p>