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 designer, as well as all international suppliers.
- Act as key liaison for product development, material development, sample tracking, and fitting.
- Ensure prototypes and samples reflect the concept and design in quality, construction, materials, fit, and style.
- Research new technologies, components, and manufacturing techniques suitable for footwear manufacturing.
- Maintain a keen interest in sustainability within the footwear industry.
- Manage samples, liaising with suppliers to create prototypes and samples at workable prices and within specific deadlines for all footwear and accessories.
- Plan, detail, and specify all designs, commissioning and tracking the development of prototypes and ultimately approving salesman samples.
- Attend product meetings from first prototype to shipment samples.
- Liaise daily with factories and agents in Portugal.
- Manage and communicate effectively with a busy Creative Director who works part-time.
- Contribute actively to ongoing brand identity development and evolution.
- Control courier costs for samples within company policy and procedure.
- Work with the Shoe Technologist and Creative Director to document sample fitting and corrections 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 of experience as a fully-fledged Footwear Developer within a supply and manufacturing environment.
- Proficient in Illustrator & Photoshop.
- Degree-level qualification in a related design field.
- International experience is preferred.
- High level of technical understanding in footwear.
- Familiarity 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 manage a busy Creative Director.
- Strong organizational 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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