Footwear Designer

This is an exciting opportunity to join a long-established Footwear manufacturer based in Milton Keynes. They supply into the majority of the UK High Street, as well as well-known brands.

You will research new trends, travel on inspo trips as well as visit factories overseas. You will work closely with your customers to design collections that meet their briefs, as well as ensure your designs fit their customer and demographics.

You will also work cross-functionally with the internal teams to ensure your designs meet price and quality standards.

• Research seasonal fashion trends, colours, and silhouettes to develop commercially successful collections.
• Create original design concepts, CADs, drawings, and detailed specification packs/ requests.
• Work closely with the product development team in India, along with the Sales/ Product Development Manager in the UK
• Attend customer meetings to present seasonal ranges, design concepts, and product developments.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, understanding their brand identity and translating briefs into commercially viable products.
• Communicate confidently with customers throughout the development process, responding to feedback and making design amendments where required.
• Source/ development of leathers trims, and embellishments in collaboration with suppliers.
• Monitor competitor activity and emerging fashion trends to identify new opportunities.
• Travelling to cities in Europe for trend shopping on a quarterly or bi-annual basis depending on the requirement, and to stay constantly updated on trends.
• Possible travels to India once a year for collection building or customer meetings.

• This position is looking for solid footwear design experience, ideally across Womenswear
• I am looking for a candidate with a real eye for fashion and translating trends.
• You will be a well organised, confident communicator, experienced in managing priorities and liaising with internal teams and external suppliers etc.
• Proficient on Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adaptable to change and able to work closely with buyers and present your idea's, requiring a confident attitude to your work.
• Have experience of working closely with overseas factories.
• You must also be an effective communicator & team player and be confident at building good internal and external relationships.
• Happy to travel regularly to overseas factories and suppliers.

We regret that due to the high amount of interest that we receive for each of our vacancies, if you do not hear from one of our consultants within 5 days then unfortunately you have not been shortlisted for this role.