Our client, a leading sports apparel company, is seeking a Product Innovation and Development Lead to join their team. This role focuses on the research and development of performance-based products from concept to retail. The ideal candidate is a creative and strategic thinker who can generate new ideas and deliver innovative solutions that drive growth and competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ideation & Visioning: Develop new ways of thinking about performance-based products, aligned with the company's vision. Collaborate with product creation teams to generate innovative product concepts.

• Research & Engineering: Define testing protocols, validate concepts, and develop insights that inform the development of advanced product concepts using new technologies and construction processes.

• Prototyping: Engineer prototypes by identifying key elements of product construction, materials, and processes. Turn product visions into reality with feasible and state-of-the-art solutions.

• Project Management: Lead innovation projects, working closely with multi-disciplinary teams, including product creation, manufacturing, and 3rd party vendors, to bring concepts to market.

• Communication: Synthesize reports and final documentation to educate internal stakeholders on new innovations. Present concepts and seasonal ideas to both internal teams and external customers, including executive leaders.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and 10+ years of relevant experience (or an equivalent combination: PhD + 8 years, Master's + 9 years, Associate's + 11 years, or High School + 12 years).
• Comprehensive experience as a business/process leader or industry expert.
• Proven track record of building original product designs in collaboration with Design leadership.
• Strong creative experience with knowledge of consumer, style, and culture.
• Expertise in generating a broad range of concepts and solutions for each project.
• Strong digital design competence, especially in Adobe Creative Suite.
• Preferred experience with advanced digital tools and 3D design software.
• Strong cobbling and prototyping skills.
• Ability to communicate design concepts to both internal and external audiences.
• Experience working with external partners, such as athletes, leagues, or collaborators.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience presenting to both small and large groups, including executive leadership.

This role offers an opportunity to make a significant impact on product innovation in the sports apparel industry. You'll be part of a dynamic, creative team working to bring cutting-edge products to market.

The target hiring compensation range for this role is $58.80 to $65.33 an hour. Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands. 

Our talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!