Senior Manager, Materials Library, Footwear, Equipment & Accessories

We are seeking an experienced Senior Manager Material Library to lead the creation, management and governance of a centralised Materials Library for the FW, EQ & ACC brands within VF. The Senior Manager Material Library will be responsible for optimizing materials selection, qualities, and library processes across VF FW & EQ brands. You will collaborate closely with the Materials Sourcing teams on building processes that enable VF brands to leverage a consolidated materials library. This role requires an experienced professional with in-depth technical knowledge in FW & EQ materials along with project management capabilities and data analytics. This role is instrumental in driving efficiency, enabling material leverage across regions and optimising material spend.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

• STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
  • Establish, operationalise and govern a centralised Global Materials Library across the FW, EQ. & ACC brands for VF.
  • Define and implement processes to rationalise material development requests and reduce redundancies.
  • Govern and maintain data attributes and metadata necessary to enable material consolidation and strategic leverage.
  • Lead seasonal and lifecycle core material reviews to evaluate relevance, usage and library optimisation.
  • Partner with Materials Sourcing leaders and Product Leaders within our brands to add or sunset material libraries based on business needs.
  • Create and publish the leveraged cost saving opportunity and measure quarterly that set targets are being met.
• MATERIALS LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT
  • Ensure physical libraries are maintained in strategic global locations to support product teams and cross brand initiatives.
  • Manage the process of evaluating material qualities and performance to ensure alignment with sustainability, innovation and cost objectives.
  • Conduct periodic reviews to assess usage, overlaps and opportunities for consolidation.
• COLLABORATION AND STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
  • Own recommendations to the Materials Development leaders in FW & EQ to standardise material needs and identify leverage opportunities with Tier 2 suppliers.
  • Serve as the central point of contact for Material Development leaders and brand teams to access core materials and information.
• DATA ANALYTICS AND PROCESS OPTIMISATION
  • Create the appropriate data analytics platform needed, to track material utilisation, performance and cost efficiency.
  • Lead initiatives to digitise and streamline the material development and management process.
  • Collaborate with IT and digital innovation teams to maintain a robust material database system.
• TEAM AND STAKEHOLDER LEADERSHIP
  • Lead and empower materials library teams fostering a collaborative, inclusive culture focused on creating, driving and optimising the library, supporting regional team mates interactions with each other, and with the Senior Director of Material Development.
  • Build strong trusted relationships with cross functional partners to align on priorities, solve challenges and win together.

WHAT WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR IN YOU:

• You will be a materials expert with deep technical knowledge in materials, with strong analytical capabilities and project management experience.
• You will be accountable for streamlining material selection, development and life cycle processes, whilst ensuring alignment and collaboration with global materials development and sourcing leaders.
• Demonstrated success in managing cross functional projects and implementing scalable systems or libraries.
• Strong analytical and data-driven mindset; experience with materials lifecycle and inventory management tools.
• Proven ability to work independently, prioritise tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven success in seasonal negotiation cycles and managing complex global supplier relationships.
• Technically fluent in both FW and EQ materials with strong business acumen.
• A connector and influencer who naturally aligns cross-functional teams and drives change.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US:

• A purpose-driven opportunity to transform how we source and manage materials across iconic global brands.
• A platform to lead cross brand and cross category impact in a collaborative and forward thinking environment.
• The ability to build the future of materials - digitally, sustainably and strategically.
• Providing you with the best in class, work environment, well-being policies and work place flexibility that is about helping you show up and lean into life with your whole self – emotionally, physically and socially.