Technical Specialist 2 Footwear

Department: Product Integrity

Reports to: Senior Manager, Product Integrity

Location: Portland, Oregon

Your Opportunity at ARC'TERYX:

As a Technical Specialist 2 Footwear, you ensure Arc'teryx brand integrity through global maintenance of product construction and manufacturing standards, best production practices and quality standards across all product categories and locations of manufacture. You will be a member of the Footwear Design and Development team working closely with Footwear experts in different roles and functions.

The role is based in Portland, Oregon in our Footwear Operations hub and is open to hybrid remote work. Candidates must be eligible to work in the US.

Meet Your Future Team:

The Product Integrity team ensures that all products are constructed in accordance with Arc'teryx quality standards. We safeguard brand product integrity through establishing best practices and ensuring stringent adherence to specification and construction methods. We secure bulk readiness and support growth plans with existing and new vendors by providing guidance on both current application and new methods of handling product and material processes.

If you were the Technical Specialist 2 Footwear now, here are some of the core activities you would be doing:

• Establishing quality standards for construction and manufacturing methods for all footwear factories in partnership with Quality, Advanced R&D, Design, Product Development, Sourcing, and Production teams

• Supporting the Senior Manager, Product Integrity in enforcing known quality standards for finished goods and raw materials, with focus on preventative actions in pre-production

• Contributing to sourcing exploration, qualification assessment, education and training of new and existing factories resources to ensure Arc'teryx brand standards are met

• Providing technical expertise and guidance in Arc'teryx construction methods and quality standards for footwear to internal and external factories as required

• Attending design initiations, prototype reviews, buy-ready sign-off and other relevant meetings as part of the seasonal go-to-market (GTM) calendar work to provide technical expertise on new models, new construction and new materials

• Collaborating closely with the Design, Development and Materials teams in Portland, North Vancouver, and Asia throughout the GTM process until bulk approval

• Reviewing tech packs, construction elements for accuracy and design for manufacturing (DFM), focusing on sampling challenges for all new, transition and dual sourcing models

• Performing seasonal technical quality review (TQR) of prototypes and other types of samples

• Running risk assessments and overseeing high risk models from development to pre-production stage and beyond in bulk

• Preparing instructions (e.g. CTQ, QC Plan) for new models for the seasonal hand over to QC

• Conducting seasonal handover meetings to educate and train specialists in QC

• Determining and planning prevention action plans, such as pilot runs and top of production (TOP) for high-risk models in preparation for bulk production runs

• Reviewing pilot run PO's and sealed samples at size set stage to approve bulk production

• Maintaining frequent and regular connection with Arc'teryx teams in Asia and vendors to ensure protocols and practices are mutually understood and followed at all sample stages.

• Creating and updating protocols for known sewing, glueing, lamination and other critical to quality operations to enhance quality manuals

• Collaborating with Materials Development or Advanced Concepts teams during the R&D and development stages, offering expert consultation and guidance on testing requirements and quality. Proactively identifying and flagging issues and concerns to ensure that new material is meeting general quality standards and specific requirements for the intended application

• Reviewing test reports, material specifications, and physical samples of newly developed materials validated and handed over by Material Developers. Approving materials based on the brand's procedures, requirements, and standards, while promptly flagging any identified issues to the management for resolution

• Issuing test plans for monitoring the performance of the material in seasonal SRS and/or bulk production in accordance with the material specifications and brand's standards

• Engaging with Material Quality Specialist in Asia and material suppliers about implementation of brand quality requirements, reviewing their performance and resolving quality issues

• Providing technical guidance to the suppliers and labs about the brand's standards, testing, and quality requirements

• Participating with QA Manager and Sourcing leaders in new vendor's on-boarding program

Here are some of the things you could be working on in the future:

• Consolidating relevant documentation for standards, protocols and other product integrity and quality elements into a Footwear quality manual

• Building a library of defect code classification with photo and physical references

Are you our next Technical Specialist 2 Footwear?

• You have a post-secondary degree in footwear manufacturing or textiles

• You have 7+ years manufacturing experience (preferably within the footwear industry)

• You have knowledge of footwear construction, material construction, material properties and manufacturing practices

• You have strong communication and interpersonal skills

• You are proactive in identifying the root cause of issues and developing solutions

• You have proven ability to lead and motivate a diverse workforce

• You remain highly flexible and adaptable when faced with ambiguity

• You show initiative to balance and resolve competing interests and priorities within strict time constraints

• You have excellent organizational skills

• You effectively balance autonomy and collaboration

• You have fluency in written and spoken English

• You have the ability to travel

• You seek the best (sometimes not the easiest) solutions, with an unwavering commitment to do what is right

• Your passion for your work is paralleled by your passion for getting outside and living it

$78,000 - $98,000 a year

A reasonable estimate of the pay range is USD $78,000 - USD $98,000 at the time of this posting. Within the range, individual pay is determined by factors such as job-related skills, relevant experience, education and/or training.

Please note that the range details above reflect the base pay only and does not include our competitive bonus program and benefits that we offer.

Equal Opportunity

Arc'teryx is committed to actively creating and fostering a culture of inclusivity where voices are heard, people are seen, and values are respected. We care about the uniqueness of our applicants, employees, and guests, and we do so in a safe space fueled by curiosity and acceptance.

Creating an inclusive workplace is connected to our core value Do Right while also having the added benefit of helping make our business better. We believe inclusion helps us to create a healthier, happier workplace, drive creativity and innovation, and reflect the communities where we operate.

All applicants, employees, and guests can expect equality of opportunity and fair treatment in alignment with our values.

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