Footwear Product Developer; Technical SPORTS

FOOTWEAR PRODUCT DEVELOPER (Technical) – Sports Trainers

Location: Manchester - full time head office based

Industry: Sports Performance / Footwear

Reports to: Head of Product / Product Director

Our client, a highly successful and rapidly scaling sports performance wear brand, is expanding into the sports trainer and performance footwear market
. With exceptional momentum and ambitious global growth plans, this is an exciting opportunity to join the team at a pivotal moment in their evolution.

We are seeking an experienced Footwear Product Developer with a strong technical background in sports trainers / athletic footwear
. This role requires deep expertise in the full technical development process—including last creation, moulds, measurements, pattern engineering
, and working closely with factories to bring products from concept to market.

This individual should be a technically minded footwear specialist with an eye for design—particularly in shaping outsoles, midsoles, uppers, patterns, and functional details
—and possess strong commercial awareness of the sports trainer landscape and consumer trends.

• Lead the technical development of sports trainers from concept through final production.
• Create, review, and refine lasts, moulds, patterns, outsole and midsole constructions
  , ensuring precision and performance integrity.
• Own all technical specifications, including tech packs, measurements, fit standards, and material selections.
• Oversee product testing, wear trials, durability assessments, and performance validations.
• Work alongside product designers to ensure technical feasibility and performance optimisation.
• Contribute creatively to sole unit design, pattern engineering, and upper constructions
  , ensuring the final product aligns with brand aesthetics and functional needs.
• Translate concepts into technical requirements for suppliers and factories.

• Maintain a strong understanding of the sports trainer market
  , emerging technologies, and consumer expectations.
• Provide insight on materials, pricing, construction methods, and competitive benchmarking.
• Balance performance innovation with cost efficiency and commercial viability.
• Partner with manufacturers and material suppliers to ensure product quality, accuracy, and timely delivery.
• Manage the development calendar, ensuring all milestones are met from prototype to final confirmation.
• Troubleshoot technical issues throughout sampling and production.

• Proven experience as a Footwear Product Developer
  , specifically in sports trainers, running shoes, or performance footwear
  .
• Strong technical skill set, with hands‑on expertise in:
• Last development & mould creation
• Sole tooling (outsoles/midsoles)
• Fit, measurement, and construction techniques
• Solid understanding of performance footwear specifications, materials, and biomechanical considerations.
• Ability to read, create, and communicate detailed technical documentation.
• Strong commercial mindset and familiarity with consumer trends in the sports and trainer market
  .
• Experience working directly with overseas factories (Asia preferred).
• Excellent problem‑solving, communication, and project management skills.

• Opportunity to play a key role in building a new category for a fast-growing performance brand.
• Freedom to innovate and shape future footwear collections.
• Collaborative, energetic team environment.