Partner Manufacturing Engineering, Converse Technical Service (Zhongshan, China)

ABOUT CONVERSE 

Are you interested in working for the most iconic and well-loved sneaker brand in the world? Born in sports and made for the street, Converse is a place to explore your potential, obliterate boundaries and push out the edges of what can be. We seek people who can lead, grow, think, dream, and create. Our culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. Converse seeks achievers, leaders, and visionaries. At Converse, it is about each person bringing their authentic self, skills, and passion to serve the daring spirit of youth. 

ABOUT OUR TEAM 

The goals of the Converse Global Sourcing & Manufacturing team are to Deliver Product Excellence, bringing to life and to market products that blow away consumer expectations and create the Manufacturing Network of the Future with capabilities to support our business. We believe this is possible by partnering with best-in-class manufacturers and investing in the right talent to: 

• Build capabilities to create innovative products that push the boundaries of our brand.
• Deploy responsive supply chain solutions that improve speed and deliver meaningful commercial impact.  
• Advance the resilience and sustainability of our supply chain through partner, performance, and risk management approaches. 
• Constantly improve our operational model to improve service, efficiency, cost, and quality.
• Live our values and put people first to drive organizational effectiveness. 

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

As Director, Chemical Engineering & LAB on the Converse’s Partner Manufacturing & Engineering team, you are part of a Global Sourcing & Manufacturing team committed to delivering excellence to our product teams and to consumers every day. This role reports to the Director, Partner Manufacturing & Engineering, based in Zhongshan China. You will lead a team of Chemical Engineers & Lab Testing Engineers in Converse Asia. You will also work closely with the Nike Chemical Engineering network. You will engage with a broad spectrum of functional stakeholders in

• Converse Footwear Supply Chain.
• Boston Headquarter & Asia Innovation, Product Creation, Engineering, Materials Teams.
• External parties such as Chemical vendors and our Footwear manufacturing suppliers.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We are looking for a Director, Chemical Engineering & LAB, to join Converse Footwear Supply Chain, Partner Manufacturing Engineering team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for defining and setting Chemical Engineering strategy and supervising LAB Operations, also staying aligned with relevant Sustainability, Materials, Product Creation and Innovation strategic initiatives. By leveraging expertise and fostering collaboration across different functional teams, you will lead your team and the extended network of Chemical & Testing Engineers to successfully deliver key projects and strategic initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, experience or training.
• Postgraduate degree (in chemical engineering, polymer science or related discipline) is highly preferred.
• 9+ years of relevant work experience.
• 4+ years of people management experience.
• Footwear experience is preferred, experience in related industries may also be considered.
• Well versed in coaching, developing and leading high-performing direct or indirect teams.
• A strategic leader with a proven track-record of collaborating and influencing in a highly matrixed organization across a variety of internal and external partners with cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Proficient in standard MS Office programs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Requires domestic and international travel up to 10% of time, along with the flexibility to collaborate with global partners on their local times as needed.

WHAT WILL YOU WORK ON?

If this is you, you’ll be working with your team and the Partner Manufacturing & Engineering network to define, implement, track progress and achieve goals on projects, programs and initiatives while navigating a dynamic, highly matrixed, fast-paced environment.

As a people manager you will lead, coach and inspire your team, creating a culture of ownership, curiosity and collaboration. You will partner with the Partner Manufacturing Engineering Leadership team to support the growth and development of the Chemical Engineers and Testing Engineers in the extended network.

On any given day, you might be leading or participating in team meetings or workshops, brainstorming solutions to complex problems, input into strategic programs, meeting with an external vendor or building a PowerPoint presentation to launch a key strategic initiative.