Footwear Technologist

Job Overview

Footwear Technologist reporting to Head of Footwear will ensure timely delivery of assigned footwear ranges, guaranteeing that styles meet technical, quality and safety specifications and are fit for purpose. The role supports the Technical Manager in maintaining departmental quality standards, collaborates with design and buying to develop a commercially viable range, and leads supplier technical activities to achieve the brand’s fit, performance and cost targets.

• Conduct seasonal block and last reviews with buying and design teams; maintain and update footwear specification library.
• Analyse market trends, competitor constructions, and material innovations to inform style and performance improvements.
• Review competitor footwear to maintain an innovative, profitable, on-trend range while protecting fit integrity.
• Manage end-to-end footwear development from concept through prototype, fit, pre‑production and production sign‑off, ensuring consistency in construction and commercial viability.
• Produce clear, timely tech packs and provide accurate fit comments at fittings; secure gold seals on schedule.
• Identify technical risks at sign‑off and work with buyers/suppliers to mitigate.
• Specify and monitor footwear testing requirements; interpret results to guide corrective actions.
• Maintain product testing and compliance records; coordinate with internal and external labs.
• Liaise with overseas QA teams through training and factory audits focused on lasting, sole attachment and injection.
• Lead root‑cause analysis for returns and develop corrective action plans with suppliers.
• Support sourcing decisions and conduct factory technical audits, recommending process improvements.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers, ensuring compliance with technical, legal and ethical requirements.
• Work with buying and merchandising to prototype, fit and seal styles per the critical path.
• Confirm suppliers meet technical standards, audits, process qualifications and tooling approvals.
• Maintain accurate grading rules, size conversion tables and pack/box specifications.
• Line‑manage and motivate technical team members; conduct performance reviews, objective setting and coaching.
• Champion continuous improvement and adoption of footwear technologies or CAD tools.
• Act as a role model for company culture, leading by example on quality, safety and commercial accountability.

• Bachelor’s degree in Footwear Technology, Footwear Design, Materials Science, Product Technology or a related discipline.
• Minimum 3 years’ footwear technical experience (development, production and supplier management); experience with offshore suppliers is essential.
• Demonstrable product knowledge across a wide range of footwear constructions.
• Experience in value retail or multi‑product footwear environments is advantageous.
• Proven track record in issuing timely fit comments, securing gold seals and managing customer feedback and returns.

• Deep understanding of footwear construction, lasts, pattern making for uppers, insole, midsole and outsole engineering and materials.
• Familiarity with PLM/ERP systems.
• Strong knowledge of footwear testing methods and industry standards (SATRA, ASTM, EN ISO) and ability to interpret requirements for compliance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Effective time management, organization and ability to work under pressure to meet critical path deadlines.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and negotiation skills with commercial awareness.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

• Willingness to travel overseas regularly to supplier factories for technical audits, fittings and development meetings.
• Commitment to ethical sourcing, product safety and continuous improvement.

As an equal opportunity employer, we shall consider all applicants regardless of gender, age, religion, marital status, race, sexual orientation, disability, disease, pregnancy, or trade union and/or political affiliation, and disregard all factors deemed inappropriate by local law and the International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.