Do you want to shape the future of footwear materials at ECCO and take charge of a function that’s central to product excellence, innovation and global operations?
As our new Head of Footwear Material Management, you’ll take ownership of ECCO’s footwear materials portfolio and play a pivotal role in driving innovation, sustainability and excellence across our global development and production units. From Denmark to Portugal, Thailand and Indonesia, you’ll ensure that the right materials are developed, tested, approved and delivered on time and to the highest standards.
Lead a global team and manage a complex, creative portfolio
You’ll be based at ECCO HQ in Bredebro, joining our Global Material Management department. You’ll lead a team of 5 direct reports, who collaborate closely with colleagues across continents, just like you will. The atmosphere is professional, warm, and driven by curiosity and continuous improvement.
In this role, you’ll:
- Lead the seasonal materials calendar and ensure timely execution across all business units, driving discipline and alignment across stakeholders.
- Oversee the development, testing and approval of materials, blending creative vision with technical precision, and managing risks through trialing and high-risk materials processes.
- Manage ECCO’s Footwear Material Toolbox and Colour Matching Systems, ensuring strategic alignment and seasonal clean-outs to maintain portfolio targets.
- Apply scalable procurement and inventory practices across global units, using PLM to maintain transparency and control, while consolidating material needs and acting as the primary contact for vendors.
- Ensure quality assurance and compliance across inbound materials and inventory processes, while promoting continuous improvement and proactively managing risks in materials development and usage.
Success in this role means delivering high-quality, stable materials that meet aesthetic and technical standards, ensuring smooth collaboration across functions, and continuously improving processes and performance.
You combine strategic thinking with hands-on leadership and a passion for footwear
We imagine you bring:
- 8+ years of operations management experience in consumer goods, preferably footwear.
- A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
- Strong stakeholder and cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to lead through influence.
- Experience with materials creation, portfolio management and PLM systems.
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally on a regular basis.
To thrive in this role, you’ll need to be structured, reliable and adaptable. You communicate clearly and succinctly, make sound decisions based on data and insight, and know when to escalate. You’re a team player who shares information openly, supports group goals and maintains confidentiality. Above all, you bring energy, enthusiasm and a commitment to continuous improvement.
You don’t need to tick every box to apply. If you’re excited about the role, we’d love to hear from you.
Are you the leader we’re looking for in footwear materials?
We will invite candidates into the process on an ongoing basis, so please apply as soon as possible.
For questions about the role, feel free to reach out to Scott William Phillips, Supply Chain Director (GSPS), on swp@ecco.com.
Imagining yourself at ECCO? Get a glimpse of what your new exciting career entails on https://enter.ecco.com.
CREATE THE FOOTPRINTS OF TOMORROW
At ECCO, you become part of a meaningful, developing and multicultural workplace. You join a global family of more than 23,000 people who are proud to create the footprints of tomorrow.
Headquartered in Denmark, we are a family-owned company that offers international opportunities. Our offices and facilities have an informal culture and relaxed dress code - our shoe code is slightly stricter.
Join us and we guarantee lifelong learning - the speed of progress is up to you. So, if you´re curious, passionate and ready to make an impact, you´ll fit right in.