Project Assistant

OUR MISSION?

RECONNECT PEOPLE INTO THE NATURAL WORLD AND THEIR NATURAL POTENTIAL. STARTING WITH FEET

VIVOBAREFOOT: WHO ARE WE?

If you vaguely know Vivobarefoot, you might think of us as a shoe company. And you would be right, in a sense. But you would also be missing most of the story. Although we’re passionate about barefoot footwear, what really gets us moving in the mornings is reconnecting people with nature with the aim of making both healthier (and happier!).

We’re trying to inspire a community of regenerative leaders, home-grown coaches, and cross functional communicators. We self-manage our work, give and receive great feedback and test and learn as we flow together in a furiously fast and rapidly changing ecosystem. We’re wild mavericks, curious thinkers, troublemakers and creative dreamers. We forget the status quo and try push the boundaries to where no one dared to go before. It’s hard, but vital work.

VIVOBIOME: WHERE YOU’LL PLAY

VivoBiome by Vivobarefoot is at the forefront of our digital transformation, focusing on bespoke, customisable, locally produced footwear. This innovative project aims to revolutionize the footwear industry to enable the creation of truly regenerative footwear.

THE ROLE

We are seeking a Key Team Player to support this heavyweight initiative. You will be organised, goal-oriented, and passionate about digital technologies, with excellent people skills. This role is perfect for someone eager to learn and thrive in a fast-paced, agile environment. You will work closely with our VivoBiome footwear innovation team, managing tasks to ensure both immediate and long-term success of the project.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage Sample Ordering and Tracking: Take full ownership of the sample ordering process, ensuring timely progress and clear communication with the team. Develop and maintain tracking documentation to monitor sample status, providing regular updates and proactively addressing any delays or issues that arise.
• Oversee Sample Quality Assurance: Establish and implement quality control procedures for incoming samples. Conduct thorough inspections to ensure all products meet established standards, documenting findings and providing detailed reports to the team. Ensure continuous improvement by refining QC processes and promptly addressing any quality issues.
• Coordinate Fit and Wear Testing: Organise the entire fit and wear testing process, including participant recruitment, communication, scheduling, and logistics such as shipping and returns. Manage all related reporting and tracking, ensuring comprehensive documentation of test results and feedback. Facilitate seamless coordination between testers and internal teams to ensure timely and accurate assessments of sample performance.
• Collaborate with Footwear Laboratories: Work closely with laboratories to test materials, components, and finished products, ensuring they meet required specifications. Develop Design of Experiments (DOE) and actively participate in data analysis for root cause investigations and process optimization. Record all test results and provide clear, concise reports to the team, facilitating informed decision-making and continuous improvement in product quality and performance.
• Support Digital Initiatives: Assist in managing goal-oriented initiatives in digital creation and digital fabrication. Ensure effective Critical Path Management by helping to set up and maintaining the critical path, supporting the cross-functional team to stay on track with both weekly and yearly goals. This includes coordinating schedules, tracking milestones, and proactively addressing any delays or obstacles to ensure that digital projects are completed efficiently and align with overall business objectives.
• Support Go-to-Market Plans: Assist with creating, approving, and submitting purchase orders to the supply chain, ensuring timelines are met and orders arrive on schedule. Perform incoming quality control (QC) checks on components and ensure quality assurance (QA) plans are implemented through audits, including standard operating procedures (SOPs). Verify that outbound finished goods meet quality standards and are delivered on time. Provide support in managing customer service, ensuring a seamless transition from production to market delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Maintain Data and File Management: Serve as the gatekeeper for all data and file management, ensuring that files, reports, and other critical documents are securely stored, well-organized, and easily accessible to the cross-functional team. Implement best practices for data security and document control, allowing for efficient collaboration and quick retrieval of information across departments. Regularly audit the system to ensure accuracy and consistency in file management.

ALL ABOUT YOU

The ideal candidate will have a mix of hard and soft skills, along with relevant qualifications to succeed in this role.

Our hybrid role will need you to be able to be in our London Hub twice a week and then you must be willing to come to our Nature home just outside of Bristol twice a month (travel paid).

Hard Skills:

• Quality Assurance: Basic understanding of quality control procedures, including sample inspection and reporting.
• Data Management: Ability to organize and manage data and files, ensuring accessibility and security.
• Project Coordination: Experience or coursework in coordinating tasks, managing timelines, and handling logistics.
• Technical Foundations: Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DOE) and an eagerness to learn root cause analysis and process optimization.

Soft Skills:

• Attention to Detail: Strong focus on accuracy in data management and quality control.
• Effective Communication: Ability to clearly convey updates and collaborate with team members.
• Organizational Skills: Capable of managing multiple tasks and maintaining order in fast-paced settings.
• Analytical Thinking: Eager to develop problem-solving skills through hands-on experience.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical field (or recent graduate).
• Exposure to or interest in 3D printing, CAD/CAM software, and automation technologies.
• Willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

This position offers the opportunity to grow your career in a forward-thinking company, making a tangible impact on both the business and the environment.

Vivobarefoot is an equal opportunities employer. Our vision is for a fair and equitable workplace, where diversity is celebrated and can truly thrive. We know we have a long way to go and a lot to learn. Every opportunity for recruiting a new member of the Vivobarefoot community 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, disability, mental health illness, 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!