Associate Product Developer/Designer-Footwear

EMINENT•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Associate Product Developer/Designer, Footwear & Accessories is a full-time role focused primarily on footwear design and development, with supporting work in accessories. The position covers the process from concept sketching and tech-pack creation through vendor communication and production. The successful candidate brings footwear quality and trend awareness, organizational discipline to manage overseas-vendor development calendars, and the ability to collaborate with Design, R&D, Tech, Production, Buying, Supply Chain, and Purchasing teams. The role supports seasonal footwear collections aligned with market trends and brand direction; researches concepts, colors, and materials; identifies construction components and materials; creates sketches, CADs, and tech packs; and manages samples, fit feedback, technical comments, calendars, costing, and production details. It also involves daily manufacturer communication, cost and margin management, material and trim approvals, sample handling, and other tasks assigned by management.

Requirements

4–+ years of experience in footwear design and/or product development.
Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.
Experience working with overseas vendors and manufacturing partners.
Strong Excel skills and computer proficiency.
Strong knowledge of footwear construction and specifications.
Ability to understand the full design and product-development process, particularly for overseas vendors.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
Solution-oriented and critical-thinking abilities.
Deadline-focused and goal-driven approach.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with a short-lead calendar.
Team player with the ability to multitask.
Ability and willingness to lift and carry up to 10 lbs., perform frequent repetitive finger, hand, and wrist motions, and bend, stoop, reach, squat, kneel, push, and pull.
Ability to work well in a dynamic environment with minimal supervision.

Nice To Haves

Degree in Footwear Design, Product Development, Fashion Design, or a related field.
PLM experience or familiarity with similar product-management platforms.
Familiarity with costing, FOB negotiations, and vendor capacity management.

Responsibilities

Support the design and development of seasonal footwear collections aligned with market trends and brand direction.
Research seasonal concepts, color palettes, and materials; develop and present trend reports.
Identify appropriate lasts, bottoms, uppers, and target materials each season.
Create detailed footwear sketches and CADs using Adobe Illustrator.
Execute tech packs from initial development through confirmation sample and production.
Communicate updates and revisions to overseas vendors and manufacturing partners.
Manage the sampling process with vendors and cross-functional teams.
Attend fit sessions, write technical comments, and ensure products stay on calendar and within cost.
Maintain and update line guides, proto/PP samples, and PLM.
Use data to identify selling opportunities and inform design decisions.
Communicate daily with manufacturers to ensure specifications, quality standards, and deadlines are met.
Negotiate, set, and approve target FOB costs and retails, and ensure margins are maintained.
Coordinate approval of materials, trims, and color details between Design and vendors.
Own WIPs, PLM updates, and costing processes from concept through production.
Negotiate FOB/DDP costs and support vendor consolidation for cost leverage.
Liaise between Design and Buying to ensure MOQs and costs are within targets.
Own calendar deadlines and flag risks proactively.
Communicate across Design, Buying, Supply Chain, and Purchasing.
Receive and log samples and assist with sample and package send-outs.
Source and organize trims and materials.
Support ad-hoc tasks as directed by management.