Kevin Smith: Digital Materials Lead in North Andover, MA

Planned and managed two-year strategic roadmap for the integration of digital material assets into the New Balance product creation cycle Establish digital material data and image requirements for third party digital material platform and internal 3D design tools Design and manage the development of reporting tools for digital materials platform to ensure 3D tech pack accuracy Develop long term plan for system integration across digital material platform, 3D design tools, and New Balance's Product Line Management (PPM) system Create and manage seasonal palette calendar for digital material assets that align with New Balance's Product Creation Calendar and current workflow Manage the curation of the digital materials library to drive material consolidation efforts by the Materials team Manage all custom development projects specific to New Balance with all internal and external stakeholders Supplier and user management across internal and external Swatchbook stakeholders Develop long term plan for digital material platform user types

Managed and lead new material innovation and sustainability projects with cross-functional team from concept through commercialization Created the Center of Excellence material innovation process for Lifestyle materials and product development organizationPlanned and tracked projects to meet deadlines for a diverse set of in-line styles achieving 100% on-time buy readiness for all season 2019 projects Responsible for maintaining open lines of communication with the sourcing, engineering, product management, design, and development teams Utilize knowledge of shoe construction and manufacturing processes to evaluate prototypes and identify potential issues related to material test data, technical wear test data, and technical drawings Manage gate cycles of the Product Validation process on all new models to ensure all performance, fit, and specification requirements are met the first time and ensure consistent product quality

Work with internal product teams and key strategic T2 suppliers to develop and drive a seasonal materials palette consisting of pre-negotiated, prepositioned and pre tested materials Collaborate with MDT and MST to evaluate new materials, technologies & processes for implementation & development into appropriate footwear categories Communicate with T2 suppliers to explain New Balance’s present and future material needs while continually working to resolve all material related issues Attend trade shows to identify new materials, technologies & trends that may have some applicability for uses in new product development Work with cross-functional teams to develop and enhance the PPM materials database for the embedded spec initiative within New Balance Work with New Balance’s Center of Excellence to develop new, innovative materials and apply to key models Initiate and review MT, FST, and wear test trials on new material concepts

Develop new materials for all in-line and SMU styles from concept stage through production Manage materials development of all branded fashion collaborations, including Liberty of London, Della and Hoffman Fabrics Accept and reject purchase orders for all Vans factories based on monthly MOQ reports Negotiate material costs with nominated leather and textile suppliers to help achieve category specific target margins

Communicate with nominated suppliers on a daily basis to ensure quality standards are met, costing requirements are reached and on time delivery is achieved Monitor outgoing development specifications for all product lines for potential material issues Act as a footwear materials knowledge resource for the Vans design, development and merchandising teams