Footwear Product Developer

SUMMARY:
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.

POSITION INFO:
Duties and Responsibilities:

• To work closely with the CD and the designer, and all international suppliers.
• Working as key liaison for product development, material development, sample tracking & fitting.
• Responsible for getting prototypes and samples executed to reflect the concept and design in mind, 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
• To take responsibility for samples, liaising with the suppliers to create prototypes and samples at workable prices and within specific deadlines for all footwear and accessories.
• Planning, detailing, specifying all designs/commissioning and tracking the development prototypes/ultimately approval salesmen samples
• Attend product meetings from first prototype to shipment samples.
• Liaise daily with factories and agent in Portugal
• To 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 of courier costs for samples within company policy and procedure
• Work with Shoe technologist and CD to document sample fitting and correction on design and constructions.
• To undertake any other reasonable duties identified by the Creative Director- travel to Portugal & Italy may be part of this

• 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
• Have experience internationally
• High level of technical understanding in footwear
• Very familiar with constructions, materials, manufacturing processes, commercialization and offshore sourcing
• Has a 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 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 CD and Designer