Production Development Leader, Compound

A leading global sports retailer is seeking a Development Production Leader for Compound Materials to join their team in Ho Chi Minh City. This is an exceptional opportunity for you to play a pivotal role at the intersection of material innovation, industrialisation, and sustainability within the footwear industry.

You will be empowered to shape the future of high-performance footwear by driving compound development projects from concept through to mass production, ensuring that every product meets rigorous physical requirements and quality standards. The organisation offers a supportive environment where your technical expertise, collaborative spirit, and passion for sport will be highly valued. With flexible working opportunities and a culture that encourages knowledge sharing and professional growth, this is your chance to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career in a dynamic, inclusive setting.

• Be at the forefront of material innovation, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver sustainable and high-performing compounds for footwear.
• Enjoy flexible working opportunities and a supportive leadership team committed to your ongoing professional development and well-being.
• Contribute directly to the success of a globally recognised brand by optimising development costs, ensuring product quality, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

What you'll do:

As a Development Production Leader for Compound Materials, you will immerse yourself in every stage of the compound creation process—working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to ensure each project achieves its objectives. Your day-to-day activities will involve managing timelines, validating new materials, optimising costs through strategic negotiations, and upholding stringent quality standards. You will also play an integral role in fostering innovation by participating in exploratory projects that drive sustainability and performance improvements. By offering technical guidance across multiple functions and aligning product catalogues with evolving customer needs, you will help shape the next generation of athletic footwear while contributing to a culture of continuous learning and shared success.

• Coordinate comprehensive project plans for compound development, industrialisation, and duplication with a focus on ensuring timely availability of materials.
• Drive the end-to-end process of developing new compounds until validation and transition into mass production, guaranteeing all physical requirements are met.
• Optimise development costs by negotiating fair value and pricing for products while maintaining high standards of quality.
• Oversee product quality through effective management practices throughout the development lifecycle.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives within your area of responsibility to enhance efficiency and output.
• Collaborate on innovative exploration projects alongside ecosystem teams to push the boundaries of material science and sustainability.
• Participate actively in supplier panel management by providing valuable input for supplier review processes and sourcing decisions as needed.
• Offer expert technical support to ecosystem teams regarding materials selection, sole design, and compound allocations.
• Build and align the compound catalogue in accordance with customer needs across various processes and sports applications.

What you bring:

To excel as a Development Production Leader for Compound Materials, you will bring not only deep technical expertise but also strong interpersonal skills that foster collaboration across diverse teams. Your background should include hands-on experience managing complex projects within the polymer or compound industry—ideally related to footwear or sporting goods—where you have demonstrated your ability to deliver results under pressure. Your fluency in English and Vietnamese ensures seamless communication with colleagues at all levels; additional language skills such as Chinese are highly regarded. A keen eye for detail paired with enthusiasm for supporting others makes you an invaluable resource when advising on material choices or process improvements. Above all, your willingness to share knowledge and embrace ongoing learning will help cultivate a positive team atmosphere where everyone can thrive.

• At least three years’ proven experience in the compound or polymer material industry with demonstrable results in delivering successful projects.
• A collaborative approach to leadership that enables you to guide partners and internal teams effectively through complex situations.
• Excellent communication skills in both English and Vietnamese; proficiency in Chinese would be considered an advantage.
• A genuine passion for technical detail combined with a methodical approach to functional work within the sporting goods sector.
• A commitment to supporting others through clear advice on materials selection, allocation strategies, and process optimisation.
• Experience working within cross-functional teams focused on innovation, sustainability, or continuous improvement initiatives.
• An ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail throughout all stages of development.
• A positive attitude towards knowledge sharing, training opportunities, and personal growth within an inclusive team environment.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as one of the world’s most respected sports retailers due to its unwavering commitment to sustainability, employee well-being, and community engagement. Employees benefit from flexible working arrangements designed to promote work-life balance alongside generous opportunities for professional training and advancement. The company fosters an inclusive culture where every voice is heard—encouraging open communication, mutual respect, and shared achievement. With access to cutting-edge resources and a global network of passionate professionals dedicated to making sport accessible for all, you’ll find yourself supported at every step as you contribute meaningfully both inside the workplace and beyond. Whether you’re driven by technical excellence or inspired by teamwork, this is an environment where your contributions truly matter—and where your career can flourish alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry.

What's next:

If you are ready to take your expertise in compound materials development to new heights within an inspiring global team, this is your moment—apply now!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided. Take the next step towards joining a collaborative community where your skills are celebrated and your growth is supported.

Due to the high volume of applications we are experiencing, our team will only be in touch with you if your application is shortlisted.