Commercialisation Engineer (Footwear)

To oversee the successful transfer of new product ideas from the approved sample stage to bulk production. Agreeing work schedules and test deadlines to meet customer delivery commitments, and ensuring that brand standards for aesthetics, quality assurance and fitting integrity are achieved by the production factory prior to authorising work to start on bulk orders.
1.To review new style ideas in advance of handover for commercialisation, advise on areas where production problems could be expected and work with Clarks and Factory technicians to resolve the problems
2.To manage the progress of approved styles from handover through to the start of bulk production ensuring that agreed timetables for production start up are communicated effectively and achieved
3.To manage the technical approval of new styles after the handover and in preparation for production, ensuring that prompt and effective action is taken to resolve any problems
4.To approve the pattern and component grading plan for a new style, ensuring that the sample size design characteristics are faithfully represented in the full size range of shoes intended for bulk production
5.To approve the intended production process for a new style, agreeing the key quality control points and the quality control measures that will be used
6.To establish the quality control references needed for each new style and arrange for these references to be available in the production factory
7.To arrange for the punctual release of tooling orders (new sole moulds and upper tooling on small volume styles etc) where Clarks has cost responsibility
8.To establish shoe packaging methods and specifications that will prevent shoes from being damaged during transit and storage
9.To authorise bulk production to start following a successful pre-production testing process

* Essential Knowledge:
•Thorough understanding of shoemaking processes and shoemaking machinery
•Detailed knowledge of shoe construction test standards and material performance requirements
•Detailed understanding of shoe fitting principles and standards
•Detailed understanding of pattern grading principles and practices
•Detailed understanding of cementing systems and cement application processes
•Basic understanding of leather grading and leather cutting practices
•Basic understanding of shoe finishing techniques
* Technical Skills:
•Able to conduct a shoe construction test
•Able to check shoe fitting quality
•Able to make pass / fail inspection decisions against Clarks standards
* Successful Experience:
•Wide ranging experience working in a shoemaking environment (including product development, production quality control and product assurance testing)
•Proven ability to deliver results to strict timetables while managing a range of different projects simultaneously
* Competencies:
•Getting the job done – Thorough and methodical, regularly reviewing plans and timetables to deliver results against tight deadlines
•Decision Making – Taking clear decisive action when faced with problems and owning the results of those decisions
•Customer Focus – Understanding customer and consumer needs and taking account of these needs in the decision making process (eg worn returns data, customer complaint feedback etc)
•Communication Skills – Chinese language skills would be a distinct advantage, plus negotiating and influencing skills