Women’s Footwear & Accessories Designer
A creative footwear designer with the ability to follow the design process from start to finish. Responsible for aiding the Head of Product in designing the full product range from concept to production which is in line with the direction of the Founder. Working to a commercial brief to deliver designs and products which are on brand, on cost and adheres to the required deadlines. Responsible for producing sample & production specs, fittings, development & confirmation samples and product sign-offs.
Core Tasks:
• Maintain an awareness & undertake research of current trends and competitors
• Support the Head of Product in preparing seasonal trend presentations and range reviews
• Create design direction and translate into market appropriate designs & colour ways for footwear and accessories which follow the seasonal range plan, whilst maintaining an
awareness of price engineering & architecture
• Create development specs and manage the development process with factories and agents accordingly
• Manage & maintain supplier relationships, whilst acting as a primary contact for all
• Transmit and translate design concepts with pattern makers, sample makers and other roles involved in the product development of new styles
• Sourcing materials, components and new suppliers / factories where needed for both footwear & accessories
• Utilising a solid understanding of materials and the appropriate applications
• Liaising directly with the factories on all samples up to the approval of confirmation samples • Support the team with the sign off of pre-production & pre-shipment samples
• Ability to work to the crit path from end to end, ensuring all key dates are achieved
• Manage & maintain supplier relationships, whilst acting as a primary contact for all
• Responsible for carrying out all fit and wearer trials & necessary testing (BLC)
• Liaise directly with customer service & merchandising to understand any quality issues, return rate & fit feedback, and then acting on any information to reduce returns rate
• Provide support for the Design Assistant
Administration:
• Specification and request of all seasonal development samples
• Participate in design / range planning meetings
• Leading the presentation of sketches for review with the Founder
• Contribute to weekly company team meeting
• Maintain a tidy system of information, specs and product info
• Responsible for travel arrangements for product development & sourcing trips
• Ensure that you understand and are capable of performing other team members jobs within the department to cover sickness or holidays and during busy periods
Skills required:
• Be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of footwear constructions
• Strong sketching and CAD skills - Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop are essential
• Excel skills preferable
• Extremely detail oriented with an exceptional eye for detail
• Highly organised with the ability to prioritise heavy workloads and multi task
• A team player with strong interpersonal skills
• Self motivated, proactive and a positive approach to problem solving
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment