As New Balance accelerates its investment in cleated sports, we are strengthening our global capabilities to support continued growth and industry leadership in quality, innovation, and performance. We are seeking a senior leader to establish and build our Cleated Center of Excellence in Indonesia, a critical hub for technical product development.
Based in Indonesia, the Head of Cleated Development will lead the development of technical cleated products, partnering closely with New Balance headquarters and Asia‑based suppliers to deliver world‑class cleated footwear that meets our performance, quality, and innovation standards.
Leads cleated development in a manner that adds value to product and services
Manages projects effectively to deliver results on time, at the expected quality levels and within target costs.
Acts as a best practice owner for cleated, maintaining documented build standards, driving adoption with T1 teams, and facilitating regular update sessions
Drives Phase Review Reports to a publishable standard; define inspection criteria for sales samples & promo; ensure on-time, right-first-time shipments.
Implements a structured product risk review incorporating competitor benchmarking, prior NB learnings, weartesting, and lab results; document override rationales when required.
Maintain ongoing alignment with Lean and Quality teams, translating manufacturing learnings into development changes where needed.
Attends key Commercialization gates for priority cleated programs and partner on targeted Production visits to protect development intent.
Identifies emerging manufacturing techniques for cleated, partnering with Process Engineers to document for scale; support Flex Supply Chain efforts to match product performance across multiple T1s.
Builds loyal, mutually beneficial strategic partnerships through teamwork and collaboration both with internal stakeholders and with factories / suppliers
Empowers & inspires suppliers to fulfil their responsibilities as New Balance partners.
Ensures business relationships between New Balance and the assigned factory(ies) and suppliers are maintained at the highest level of trust and integrity.
At least 7 years' experience in branded athletic cleated developmentwith a strong "product eye" for aesthetics and core functionality of products
Full understanding of technical and material requirements of various Cleated categories (Knowledge of Cleated Sports)
Full technical shoemaking knowledge of lasts, patterns, materials
Thorough understanding of blueprints, molding and molded components, especially injection molded plates.
Full understanding of core components of costing: LOP, Materials, Tooling Amortization, Volume, Pattern, Construction and process features that drive cost.
Ability to work effectively with all NB systems (i.e. Flex PLM) to document projects.
The ability to diplomatically, objectively and firmly represent both brand interests and supplier concerns to deliver optimum results.
Strong leadership skills including strong indirect management skills (ability to influence key stakeholders across the functional spectrum)
Strong problem-solving skills, ideally using formal tools such as DMAIC and 8D
Living and working in Indonesia.
