BIRKENSTOCK is a global brand which embraces all consumers regardless of geography, gender, age and income. The company is deeply footed on a family tradition of shoemaking that can be traced back to 1774. With around 6200 employees worldwide, BIRKENSTOCK is the largest employer in the German footwear industry. To ensure our quality standards, we produce over 95% of our products in Germany and source more than 90% of our materials and components from Europe. The BIRKENSTOCK Group is headquartered in Linz am Rhein and maintains several locations in Germany, as well as sales offices in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.
For our division Quality Management & Product Engineering ,at our location in Köln we are looking for a
Director Product Engineering (m/f/d)
Your Shoes to fill:
* Lead, mentor, and develop the engineering and operational teams to ensure they perform tasks efficiently and effectively. Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
* Collaborate closely with the Head of PD/INOP to ensure timely and accurate handovers, ensuring all technical aspects and documentation are properly prepared for COMM/Production teams.
* Work with Construction, Technical, and Operational Managers to ensure product readiness from both technical and planning perspectives. Collaborate with QM, COMM, and Planning/Production teams to ensure upper serial trials are properly planned and executed.
* Provide regular, detailed reports to VPs and CPOs on the status of product development and engineering activities, ensuring transparency and open communication.
* Manage relationships with external partners, particularly mold makers, overseeing price negotiations, tooling development, and deliveries. Stay updated on new technologies and advancements in the industry.
* Continuously review, improve, and develop engineering processes to ensure efficiency and alignment with best practices. Share these practices across departments to drive improvement across the organization.
* Stay informed of new methods, technologies, machinery, and materials that could benefit the production process. Lead the integration of new innovations where applicable.
* Participate in cross-functional projects both within the product team and in collaboration with production, ensuring alignment of goals and objectives.
* Effectively manage team operations, including performance evaluations, resource allocation, and team development to support the company’s production goals.
your walk of life:
* Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
* Minimum of 12 years of experience in engineering, with at least 5 years in a leadership role overseeing technical teams.
* Extensive experience in shoe manufacturing and a deep understanding of all construction types.
* Broad knowledge of 2D/3D grading systems, lasts, and last-making processes. Ability to read blueprints; technical and pattern knowledge is an advantage.
* Proficiency in MS Office, project management, and reporting tools. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make decisions under pressure.
* Fluent in English; proficiency in German is an advantage.
* Proactive, transparent, and able to work under pressure. A systematic, precise, and team-oriented approach is essential for success in this role.
* Willingness to travel as needed to collaborate with external and internal stakeholders.
WE OFFER:
BIRKENSTOCK offers you all the advantages of a successful, fast growing, global company: dynamic work environment, considerable design freedom, authentic and open corporate culture and excellent development opportunities. Sounds exciting? It is. We are looking forward to receiving your online application, stating your salary expectations! If you have any further questions, please contact Bianca Buschinger.