Hello, I’m Rucky Zambrano, a footwear and accessories product executive based in Milan. I manage the daily operations of a footwear and accessories business, overseeing development and leading creative operations. I blend design acumen with technical knowledge to craft innovative strategies that drive efficiency and results. I’m hardworking, goal-oriented, and highly organized, with a keen eye for detail. I’m also a personable, open-minded team player who delivers projects on time and within budget, and I excel at building relationships with team members, partners, clients, and industry professionals. Throughout my career I’ve led cross-functional teams across design, sourcing, and product development. I specialize in relationship building, brand management, competitive intelligence, and new business development. I enjoy turning ideas into executable plans that align with brand strategy and business objectives.…

Rucky Zambrano

Hello, I’m Rucky Zambrano, a footwear and accessories product executive based in Milan. I manage the daily operations of a footwear and accessories business, overseeing development and leading creative operations. I blend design acumen with technical knowledge to craft innovative strategies that drive efficiency and results. I’m hardworking, goal-oriented, and highly organized, with a keen eye for detail. I’m also a personable, open-minded team player who delivers projects on time and within budget, and I excel at building relationships with team members, partners, clients, and industry professionals. Throughout my career I’ve led cross-functional teams across design, sourcing, and product development. I specialize in relationship building, brand management, competitive intelligence, and new business development. I enjoy turning ideas into executable plans that align with brand strategy and business objectives.…

Available to hire

Hello, I’m Rucky Zambrano, a footwear and accessories product executive based in Milan. I manage the daily operations of a footwear and accessories business, overseeing development and leading creative operations. I blend design acumen with technical knowledge to craft innovative strategies that drive efficiency and results. I’m hardworking, goal-oriented, and highly organized, with a keen eye for detail. I’m also a personable, open-minded team player who delivers projects on time and within budget, and I excel at building relationships with team members, partners, clients, and industry professionals.

Throughout my career I’ve led cross-functional teams across design, sourcing, and product development. I specialize in relationship building, brand management, competitive intelligence, and new business development. I enjoy turning ideas into executable plans that align with brand strategy and business objectives.

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Skills

Experience Level

Work Experience

Category Manager Footwear at Reima Oy (HQ Vantaa, Finland)
January 1, 2020 - Present
Developed creative programs coordinating design & supply chain to meet business objectives and advance brand strategy; led product development contributions including ISPO award‑winning outcomes.
Product Manager Footwear at Spirale Srl
January 1, 2025 - September 9, 2025
Product management for footwear line; coordination of design, development and supply chain to align with business objectives and brand strategy.
Footwear Consultant at Performance Days Trade Show
January 1, 2024 - September 9, 2025
Footwear expert providing consultancy on product decisions and industry trends for trade show participants.
Footwear Development & Engineering at BÄR Schuhe / BÄR GmbH
January 1, 2019 - September 9, 2025
In charge of fitting, lasts and soles engineering; project management and development processes for footwear.
Footwear Ideation at Chaud Devant
January 1, 2019 - September 9, 2025
Footwear business ideation; created a fashion sneaker for the kitchen in collaboration with Michelin and sponsoring the Guide.
Consultant (Design, Sourcing & Development) at Self Employed
January 1, 2017 - September 9, 2025
Consultancy on design, sourcing & development for different clients; led multiple product development projects including Daytona and Vibram Spa engagements.
Global Design & Product Director at Vibram Spa
January 1, 2001 - September 9, 2025
Head of global design & product development; reorganised categories and built new safety line along with healthcare & service category; focused on international trends & sourcing.
New Brand & Product Coordinator & Founder at Vibram Fivefingers
January 1, 2003 - September 9, 2025
Founding role for the FiveFingers brand and product coordination through the creation of the Creative Lab.
Head Designer at Vibram Spa (Founding China R&D Center, US Office)
January 1, 2001 - September 9, 2025
Head designer overseeing the establishment and operations of the China R&D Center and US Office.
Designer at Sottsass Associati
January 1, 1985 - September 9, 2025
Designer contributing to design projects at Sottsass Associates.
Design Manager at DUREK
January 1, 1987 - September 9, 2025
Design manager; led design initiatives in Guayaquil, coordinating cross‑functional teams.
Design Associate at ZBP Associati
January 1, 1991 - September 9, 2025
Design associate; contributed to Milano-based design projects.
Project Manager & Innovative Designer at Lowa SportSchuhe GmbH
January 1, 2005 - September 9, 2025
Expanded mountaineering range; designed new 'urban‑comfort' line; supervised Direct Injection PU lines; collaborated with merchandisers and marketing.
Team Leader | Creative Manager, Boss Green at Hugo Boss, Ticino SA
January 1, 2009 - September 9, 2025
Built a design & development team for Boss Green; defined DNA (20% technical golf, 80% lifestyle) and created an industrial platform for the collection framework within a matrix organization.
Freelance Designer at Various Clients
January 1, 2010 - September 9, 2025
Brand development for BÄR; created Joe Nimble barefoot brand; co-founded Armando Cabral luxury shoe brand.
Product Manager Footwear at Spirale Srl
January 1, 2024 - Present
Freelance product management and footwear consulting under Spirale Srl. Performance Days Trade Show – Consultant; footwear expert.
Category Manager Footwear at Reima Oy, HQ Vantaa
January 1, 2020 - Present
Developed creative programs, coordinating design and supply chain to meet business objectives and advance brand strategy; two products won ISPO awards.
Footwear Business Ideation at Chaud Devant
January 1, 2019 - September 9, 2025
Chaud Devant – Amsterdam, created the chef footwear line; built a fashion sneaker concept for the kitchen with Michelin collaboration and Guide sponsorship.
Consultant – Design, Sourcing & Development at Self Employed
January 1, 2017 - September 9, 2025
Design, sourcing and development consultancy for Daytona, Chaud Devant Amsterdam, Vibram Spa (Connection Lab), and other clients.
Global Design & Product Director at Magnum Boots
January 1, 2014 - September 9, 2025
Controlled sourcing, re-organization of categories, and development of a new safety line; collaborated across healthcare and service categories.
Design & Development Manager at Hi-Tec Sports BV
January 1, 2012 - September 9, 2025
In charge of sourcing, collecting designs and managing developments for all categories; improved cost structure and delivered design process improvements.
Freelance Designer at Various clients
January 1, 2010 - September 9, 2025
Designed and developed BÄR shoes, created the Joe Nimble barefoot brand (awarded Red Dot Design), and helped launch Armando Cabral’s luxury shoe brand.
Team Leader | Creative Manager, Boss Green at Hugo Boss, Ticino SA
January 1, 2009 - September 9, 2025
Built a design team and development interface across 5 seasons for Boss Green; defined DNA blending technical golf with lifestyle aesthetics.
Project Manager & Innovative Designer at Lowa Sportschuhe GmbH
January 1, 2005 - September 9, 2025
Managed finish product process, created urban-comfort line, supervised Direct Injection PU lines; collaborated with merchandisers and marketing.
New Brand & Product Coordinator & Founder (Creative Lab Opening) at Vibram FiveFingers
January 1, 2003 - September 9, 2025
Co-founded the new brand and led product coordination through the opening of the Creative Lab.
Creative Thinker at Vibram R&D Department
January 1, 2002 - September 9, 2025
Creative thinker contributing to R&D in the Vibram group.
Head Designer (Founding China R&D Center, US Office) at Vibram Spa
January 1, 2001 - September 9, 2025
Lead designer and founder of China R&D Center and US Office; established design and development processes.
Design Associate at ZBP Associati
January 1, 1991 - September 9, 2025
Design associate involvement in product development and design work.
Design Manager at DUREK
January 1, 1987 - September 9, 2025
Design manager role in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Designer at Sottsass Associati
January 1, 1985 - September 9, 2025
Designer at Milano studio.

Education

Biomeccanica at Politecnico Di Milano
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2000
Industrial Design at ENSAD, Paris
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1984
Industrial Design at IED, Milano
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1984
Architecture at Universidad Catolica di Guayaquil (EC)
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1980
High School Diploma at American School of Guayaquil
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1977
Biomeccanica at Politecnico Di Milano
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2000
Industrial Design at ENSAD, Paris
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1984
Industrial Design at IED, Milano
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1984
Architecture at Universidad Catolica de Guayaquil (EC)
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1980
High School Diploma at American School of Guayaquil
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1977

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Manufacturing, Retail, Professional Services, Education, Media & Entertainment, Consumer Goods

Skills

Experience Level