Director of Product Development
Director of Product Development
Are you a senior product leader with deep technical development expertise across footwear?
Do you thrive in a hands-on, cross-functional environment where quality, function, and tradition drive innovation?
Can you lead global teams across prototyping, tooling, and product readiness while steering complex projects from concept to commercialisation?
MacGregor Black is currently partnering with a globally recognised footwear brand on the search for a Director of Product Development, based in Cologne, Germany.
This is a senior leadership role at the heart of the product creation process, responsible for leading a technical development team across seasonal and long-term projects, ensuring product excellence, cross-functional alignment, and on-time delivery across all stages of development.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and develop a high-performing team of footwear developers and technical experts across prototyping, 3D construction, tooling, and pre-production readiness.
Manage product development projects end to end, from initial technical feasibility through to bulk readiness, ensuring alignment with seasonal timelines and long-lead innovation streams.
Own the creation and quality of technical packs and documentation, driving best-in-class execution and production readiness.
Ensure seamless technical handovers to Product Engineering / Industrialisation teams, with a focus on precision, timing, and feasibility.
Collaborate closely with Product Line Management and Design leads to align product strategy and drive KPI performance across the seasonal calendar.
Lead the internal and external mold-making process, overseeing prototyping workflows and working closely with tooling engineers and partners.
Continuously improve development processes and tooling efficiency, bringing forward innovation in both product and process.
Bring deep technical expertise in construction methods, materials, and footwear functionality, including knowledge of PU direct injection, expanded EVA, and broader mold-making capabilities.
What are we looking for?
• Significant experience in technical development within the footwear or sporting goods industry, including mold-making, tooling, and advanced product creation
• Proven leadership across multi-site and cross-functional teams
• Strong project management skills, able to lead multiple, complex workstreams
• Excellent communicator and confident presenter, able to distil complex ideas clearly and influence stakeholders
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to delivery and continuous improvement
• Fluent in English; German language skills are a plus
Please contact Tom Honeyman for more details today.
