Wolverine World Wide announced on Tuesday the appointment of Mike Maloney as its new chief product officer for its work group.

In his new role, Maloney will lead product development, merchandise strategy, and market expansion initiatives for all brands within the work segment, including Wolverine, CAT Footwear, Bates, Harley-Davidson footwear, Merrell work and Hytest. He will report directly to Tom Kennedy, president of the work group.

“I’m excited to join the team at Wolverine Worldwide during such a pivotal moment for the organization,” said Maloney. “The direction we are taking in product innovation and brand strategy aligns seamlessly with my vision of creating footwear that truly enhances the lives of our consumers. I look forward to leveraging my extensive experience to elevate our Work Group Brands and develop cutting-edge solutions for the dedicated individuals who depend on our footwear every day as well as create demand-driving products that allow us to reach new consumers.”

An industry veteran, Maloney has more than 19 years of footwear experience across several major firms such as Adidas, Under Armour, Columbia Sportswear, and Designer Brands. A product expert, he possesses a blend of merchandising, product development and design, and marketing experience, as well as a fluency in leadership in global categories and a deep understanding of licensing, according a press release from the U.S.-based footwear and apparel group.

“Mike’s expertise will be instrumental in driving our Work Group vision forward, enabling us to maximize our portfolio approach through his expertise across merchandising, product innovation, and strategy,” said Kennedy.

“Additionally, Mike’s consumer-first approach and experience in casual and athletic brands will advance our ability to grow in adjacent categories, most prominently lifestyle.”

Earlier this month, Wolverine unveiled plans for the opening of first global Innovation Hub, set to open in Boston. The 11,000-square-foot facility will be home to Wolverine’s design, development, and product management and merchandising teams, including members of the Saucony brand.