Professional Summary
Professional Overview
Ken Liu is an accomplished Sr Mens Footwear Developer with extensive experience in the athletic and lifestyle footwear industry. He specializes in product development, technical design, and global licensee management, with a proven track record of driving innovation and delivering high-quality, consumer-centric products.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Sr Mens Footwear Developer at TOMS, Ken is responsible for leading the design, development, and production of the brand's men's footwear line. He collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to identify market trends, translate customer insights into compelling product concepts, and oversee the end-to-end development process to ensure seamless execution and on-time delivery.
Career Progression
Ken's diverse industry experience spans over three decades, during which he has held several leadership roles at renowned footwear brands. Prior to joining TOMS, he served as the Sr Product Dev Mgr Global Licensee Nike -Team Sports at EniJR286, where he managed the development and production of Nike's team sports apparel and accessories. Before that, he held the position of Sr Footwear Dev Mgr at Creative Recreation Inc. and Director of M/W's Tech Dev at Skechers USA, where he spearheaded the development of innovative footwear solutions.
Earlier in his career, Ken held roles as the Director of Footwear D&D at K-SWISS and Manager of Footwear Dev Training/CFD at Reebok, where he honed his expertise in product development, technical design, and global collaboration.
Academic Background
Ken holds a Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he specialized in materials science and design.
Areas of Expertise
- Footwear product development and design
- Technical innovation and performance-driven solutions
- Global licensee management and cross-functional collaboration
- Trend analysis and consumer-centric product ideation
- End-to-end development process oversight and quality assurance
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Ken has played a pivotal role in the development and launch of numerous successful footwear collections for leading brands. His ability to translate market insights into cutting-edge product designs, combined with his expertise in optimizing manufacturing processes, has consistently resulted in products that resonate with consumers and drive revenue growth.
Conclusion
With his deep industry knowledge, technical prowess, and strong leadership skills, Ken is poised to continue making significant contributions to the footwear industry. As he focuses on driving innovation and delivering exceptional products for TOMS, he remains committed to pushing the boundaries of design and performance while creating value for both the brand and its customers.