Head of Development

We have a core belief that our toxic, sedentary lifestyles are making humans, and the planet, sick. So we’re on a mission to change it.

We are a footwear company, a health and wellbeing company, and we’re searching for brilliant humans with exceptional skills and talent to help us make this dream into a reality.

Does the shoe fit? Read on…

We are looking for an experienced, entrepreneurial Head of Development to lead our footwear teams in Vietnam and China. This key role will involve close collaboration with your design, PLM, regeneration, materials, and sourcing colleagues to develop innovative barefoot footwear that sets new standards in product engineering, material utilization, and sustainability. You will drive product development, ensuring high performance and continuous sales and profit growth.

You’ll need to bring an innovative mindset, constantly adopting new materials and methods to meet industry-leading sustainability standards. Our goal is to produce barefoot footwear using Pure Polycircular or Supernatural (compostable) materials, ensuring robust End of Life solutions.

You will also lead the development and integration of Vivobarefoot’s digital tools, including Revobit (design & costing), Centric (PLM), and Made2Flow (environmental impact).

As a hands-on leader, you’ll guide your team and collaborate with colleagues and suppliers to create beautiful, high-quality barefoot shoes. You should be an expert shoemaker who excels at product engineering, pattern development, and incorporating innovative materials and techniques.

You will need strong cultural awareness, proven management experience, and the ability to establish relationships across the business, particularly with the UK-based Design team and the Vietnam and China-based Product Development, Materials, and Sourcing teams. You’ll balance adhering to deadlines with responding agilely to new opportunities, all while driving long-term brand innovation. Your ability to prioritize effectively and make data-driven decisions will ensure the success of the business’s strategic goals.

Responsibilities

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• Lead the development of world-class barefoot footwear by supporting your team through all stages of the product development process, ensuring high-quality products that meet deadlines, margin targets, and sustainability goals.
  
• Collaborate with the Design and Manufacturing teams to provide technical guidance, highlight risks, propose alternatives, and facilitate successful product development.
  
• Continuously improve product quality while maintaining Vivobarefoot’s core values (WTF: wide, thin, flexible).
  
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and ensure products stay within target costs at each sample stage.
  
• Oversee tooling development and project spending, maintaining cost control and addressing potential issues proactively.
  

Processes

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• Continuously improve working processes to enhance efficiency.
  
• Maintain the critical path from sample through to bulk production, anticipating and managing business demands.
  
• Use the V-Matrix to guide decisions on sustainability, balancing commercial, social, and ecological considerations.
  
• Enhance product sustainability and regenerative practices across the supply chain.
  

Relationships

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• Inspire, motivate, and develop your team, setting clear learning and development goals.
  
• Ensure effective communication with all internal and external stakeholders, especially those who may not speak English as their first language.
  
• Build and maintain strong relationships with factories, suppliers, and internal teams.
  
• Scale and build teams to support sustainable growth without incurring excessive costs.
  

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPY.....

Essential Skills and Experience:

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  Footwear Expertise: At least 15 years of footwear development experience, including a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role.
  
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  Technical Background: Preferably a degree in engineering, industrial product design, biomechanics, or a related field.
  
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  Leadership: Proven experience in leading a Product Development team in a fast-paced, changing environment, with excellent commercial guidance and mentoring skills.
  
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  Technical Problem-Solving: Ability to solve complex issues at both the micro and macro levels.
  
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  Excellent Communication: Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire confidence and present information clearly to diverse audiences.
  
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  Proactive and Agile: Ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate creatively in a task-oriented environment.
  
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  Attention to Detail: High standards for product fit and quality, with up-to-date industry knowledge.
  
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  Self-Sufficiency: Strong personal work ethic, comfortable working remotely with the aid of technology for communication and reporting.
  
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  Proficiency: Skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other relevant software.
  

If you’re a passionate, experienced footwear expert with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to sustainability, we’d love to hear from you. Join us in our mission to create innovative, regenerative barefoot footwear.

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Vivobarefoot believes that diversity is the essence of its ecosystem. We encourage  diversity of thought and believe that it enables creativity and innovation to flourish. Our mission is to create a fair and equitable workplace where people thrive and are empowered to become their true selves at work. We believe that feedback and fostering collaboration will allow employees to blaze new trails and enjoy every aspect of the Vivobarefoot community.

Every opportunity for recruiting a new member of the Vivobarefoot family should be an opportunity for us to introduce fresh perspectives, talent and skills into our community. Therefore, our commitment is to recruit  regardless of race, colour, nationality, religion, sexual orientation,  mental health illness, disability, marital or parental status, national or social origin, gender identity,  age or any other characteristics protected by law. We look forward to walking this barefoot journey with you!