Head of Product Development (m/w/d)

About This Opportunity

We are representing a fast-growing footwear brand based in Hamburg that has scaled to over one million customers in just four years. Our client is now building out their international product organization and needs an experienced Head of Product Development to lead the technical development process from concept to production-ready footwear.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who knows that great products are built in factories, not presentations. You'll own the entire development cycle, manage a growing team, and work directly with manufacturing partners in China to solve real production challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of footwear product development from initial concept through production approval
• Manage and develop the Product Development team, providing both technical and leadership guidance
• Maintain direct relationships with factories, producers, and suppliers in China, including regular on-site visits
• Oversee sampling, fittings, material selection, construction standards, quality specifications, and production sign-offs
• Drive all development timelines to ensure products launch on schedule, meet quality standards, and achieve target costs
• Troubleshoot quality, material, production, and delivery issues with a solutions-focused approach
• Travel to China and other production locations as needed, including short-notice trips when critical issues arise
• Collaborate closely with Footwear Design, Merchandising, Quality, Sourcing, and the Director of Product
• Continuously optimize products, materials, fit, construction methods, and production processes
• Manage supplier performance on quality, speed, cost, and technical execution
• Build clear development workflows, standards, and accountability structures
• Identify development risks early and implement preventive measures
• Monitor material, production, and footwear industry trends

What We're Looking For

• Extensive experience in footwear product development, ideally within a fast-scaling footwear, fashion, or consumer brand
• Several years leading and developing Product Development teams
• Deep, hands-on experience working in China with proven track record managing Chinese factories and suppliers
• Strong network of producers, factories, and relevant partners in China
• Expert understanding of footwear construction, materials, fit, lasts, soles, components, and production processes
• Demonstrated experience managing sampling, fittings, quality control, costing, and production approvals
• Strong technical competence with ability to resolve quality and production problems directly with factories
• Excellent negotiation skills and experience steering international suppliers
• High willingness to travel, especially to China, including on short notice when critical product or production issues require on-site resolution
• High resilience, strong decision-making ability, and pronounced hands-on mentality
• Solution-oriented working style with full ownership through to final results
• Quick to grasp new concepts, pragmatic in execution, yet extremely detail-oriented regarding product quality
• Fluent English required; additional relevant language skills are a plus
• German language skills beneficial for this Hamburg-based role but not mandatory

How We Work With You

When you apply through Get A Job.ai, one of our specialized recruiters will review your profile and conduct an initial screening conversation. If there's a strong match, we'll submit your candidacy to our client and guide you through their interview process. Please do not attempt to contact the employer directly, as all applications must come through our talent team to be considered.

Pay

Compensation details will be discussed during the screening process based on your experience level.

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