Footwear Product Developer
Reference: DBN002540-JB-1
A leading provider of handcrafted luxury accessories and footwear, renowned for their commitment to quality craftsmanship and exquisite design is seeking a skilled Footwear Product Developer with a keen technical eye and a passion for luxury footwear.
The ideal candidate will possess expertise in designing and developing sneaker-type footwear, as well as the ability to interpret technical design packs and oversee the sourcing process from initial trend research to production.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Work closely with the Creative Director and the designer, and all international suppliers.
- Act as the key liaison for product development, material development, sample tracking & fitting.
- Get prototypes and samples executed to reflect the concept and design in quality, construction, materials, fit, and style.
- Research new technologies, components, and manufacturing techniques suitable for footwear manufacturing.
- Have a keen interest in sustainability within the footwear industry.
- Take responsibility for samples, liaising with suppliers to create prototypes and samples at workable prices and within specific deadlines for all footwear and accessories.
- Plan, detail, specify all designs/commissioning and track the development of prototypes/ultimately approval salesmen samples.
- Attend product meetings from first prototype to shipment samples.
- Liaise daily with factories and agents in Portugal.
- Upward manage a busy Creative Director who works part-time.
- Regularly communicate updates effectively within the company.
- Be an active part of ongoing brand identity development and evolution.
- Control courier costs for samples within company policy and procedure.
- Work with Shoe technologist and Creative Director to document sample fitting and correction on design and constructions.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties identified by the Creative Director; travel to Portugal & Italy may be part of this.
Required Skills and Experience
- 6 - 8 years experience as a fully fledged Footwear Developer within a supply and manufacture environment.
- Proficient in Illustrator & Photoshop.
- Degree level qualification in a related design field.
- Experience internationally.
- High level of technical understanding in footwear.
- Very familiar with constructions, materials, manufacturing processes, commercialization, and offshore sourcing.
- Keen interest in past and future trends, including evolving footwear technologies.
- Excellent work ethic with the ability to work to tight deadlines and upward manage a busy Creative Director.
- Excellent organisational skills, planning, and communication.
- Ability to see a product from design to delivery, following it through the different stages of the critical path with the Creative Director and Designer.
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