Job Title

Virtua are currently working exclusively on a newly created position within one of our long-standing clients, Agilitas/Mochiko Group. For this role we are looking for a senior leader who has worked at factory level in the development and commercialisation teams within the athletic footwear sectors. This role will work directly with the CEO of Mochiko and COO of Agilitas to ensure the best product & innovation pipelines is developed in the Mochiko business, working across many major global brands including Adidas, Puma, Skechers, Asics, Clarks, Decathlon etc. You will be working with a tight-nit team and be an inspiring leader that lives and breathes innovation. The ambition is incredibly high across the group and we need a leader who is tenacious, driven, and willing to push themselves hard to align with the Agilitas vision. Job Description:Product Innovation: Lead the development of new sports shoe designs, materials, and technologies to stay competitive and meet market demands.Reporting Lines: Reporting to the CEO, you will lead a team of Direct Reports including the Development leaders for each Brand/Business Units. At present a team of about 150 people work in Development team.Team Leadership: Manage a team of designers, engineers, and product developers, providing guidance and fostering a culture of creativity and innovation.Customer Orientation: Develop product as per customer demands on time of expected quality and exceed the expectation.Automation/Process: Ensure that the manufacturing process can accommodate automation if volume justifies and consistently produces high-quality sports shoes that meet industry standards and customer expectations.Cost Management: Work to optimize production costs without compromising product quality, ensuring efficient use of resources.Market Research: Stay up to date with the latest trends, competitor products, and customer preferences in the sports shoe industry.Supplier Collaboration: Build relationships with suppliers for sourcing raw materials, negotiate contracts, and maintain a reliable supply chain.Product Testing: Develop product that passes test standards on performance, safety, and durability.Compliance: Ensure products adhere to safety and environmental regulations and industry standards.Budgeting: Manage the product development budget, allocating resources effectively to meet project goals.Qualifications:Education: A bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., footwear design, engineering, business). A master's degree will be an advantage.Experience: 10-15 years of experience in sports shoe product development and manufacturing, with a proven history of successful product launches.Leadership Skills: Strong leadership and management skills to guide a team of designers, engineers, and developers.Creativity: An innovative mindset with a keen eye for emerging trends and the ability to translate them into product concepts.Quality: A thorough understanding of quality standards of leading brands and techniques in shoe manufacturing.Project Management: Proficiency in project management to oversee multiple product development projects simultaneously.Supplier Management: Experience in supplier relationship management and negotiation.Communication: Excellent communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and present product concepts to stakeholders.Budget Management: Financial acumen to manage the product development budget effectively. This role is crucial in ensuring that Mochiko Group produces high-quality, competitive products at scale. The specific duties may vary based on the company's goals and strategies.