Designer - Contemporary Fashion Footwear

Designer - Contemporary Fashion Footwear

Join to apply for the Designer - Contemporary Fashion Footwear role at KNS International

$80,000.00/yr - $85,000.00/yr

Designer – Contemporary Fashion Footwear Reports to:
Director of Design & Development

Location:

Draper, Utah

Founded in 2001, KNS International is a leader in fashion footwear built for the modern consumer. What began as one of the nation’s first drop‑ship‑focused suppliers has grown into a premier footwear company behind a portfolio of distinctive, design‑led brands. From concept to customer, everything happens in‑house. Our design team creates every style from our Salt Lake City and New York City headquarters, while our Draper, Utah distribution center warehouses and fulfills orders directly to customers’ doors.

Today, KNS International is proud to be home to footwear brands including Journee, Birdies, Taft, and Vance—each with a unique point of view and strong partnerships across the country’s largest e‑commerce platforms.

The Designer will support the creation and execution of seasonal footwear collections, combining strong trend awareness with technical product development expertise. This role spans concept development through production handoff, ensuring each style is aesthetically compelling, commercially relevant, technically sound and built to value and margin.

• Conduct seasonal trend research using industry forecasts, competitive analysis, sales data, and consumer insights.
• Create clear, visually engaging seasonal design boards outlining trend direction, colors, materials, and silhouettes.
• Analyze existing assortments and make recommendations on carryover, updates, or exits based on performance and market trends.

• Design new styles aligned with brand direction, supported by strong understanding of proportion, materials, and fashion trends.
• Create detailed technical sketches and CADs using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Build and maintain accurate tech packs, including construction details, materials, and colorways.
• Demonstrate strong construction knowledge (cement, Strobel, injection, etc.) and apply it to product solutions.
• Problem‑solve technical issues directly with overseas technicians and development partners.
• Manage spec sheets across proto, salesman, and confirmation sample stages.
• Source and evaluate materials, components, and processes that meet quality, fit, and cost requirements.

• Partner with Product Development, Sourcing, Costing, and Production to ensure designs meet margin, quality, and feasibility expectations.
• Communicate daily with overseas offices to guide sample development and resolve issues quickly.
• Provide timely product information and sample updates to cross‑functional teams, including Marketing.

• Meet all seasonal calendar deadlines to ensure on‑time development.
• Maintain organized records of samples, including proto rounds, revisions, and approvals.
• Apply value engineering where needed to support margin targets while preserving design intent.
• Support assessment of new innovations and technical opportunities with sourcing partners.
• Travel as needed to collaborate directly with factories on development, construction, and pattern refinement.
• Ensure all styles are fully finalized and approved before production handoff.

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Product Development, Fashion Merchandising, or related field or work experience equivalent.
• 2–4 years of experience in footwear design or product development.
• Strong understanding of design and development processes from concept through commercialization.
• Strong technical knowledge of footwear materials, construction, and manufacturing.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and CAD tools.
• Strong problem‑solving ability, attention to detail, and technical accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast‑paced environment while meeting deadlines.
• Clear communication skills and a collaborative working style.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Working knowledge of textiles, leather,…