Product Developer, Men’s Footwear

Cole Haan•New York, NY

4d•$80,000 - $100,000•Remote

About The Position

The Footwear Product Developer manages the commercialization process from seasonal handoff to confirmation reviews. This role bridges the gap between design intent and factory execution through daily communication with Asia development teams and cross-functional partners. The ideal candidate brings a proactive approach to cost optimization, regularly analyzing CBD sheets and delivering creative material or engineering solutions to secure critical TFOB targets.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in footwear design/ development, accessories or a related field
3+ years prior experience in Men’s Dress Footwear Product Development or related field.
Foundational knowledge of footwear constructions, materials, especially leather, development and manufacturing processes is preferred
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Effective written and verbal communication skills and collaborative team player
Experience in working and communicating with Asia based offices and suppliers
Proficiency in Microsoft Word & Excel is required
Proactive problem-solver with a strong sense of urgency
Organization and prioritization of multiple simultaneous projects
Attention to detail across all workflows and specifications
Communication and collaboration with cross-functional and overseas partners
Problem-solving and decision-making, skilled at reviewing data
Time management in a fast-paced environment
Adaptability and resilience when navigating changing priorities

Nice To Haves

Experience with PLM systems preferred

Responsibilities

Track and manage incoming and outgoing product samples and packages
Maintain and organize the Product Development (PD) product closet, ensuring all CFM samples are properly stocked, cataloged, and accessible
Tracking and Maintaining Logs in PLM for CONFIRMATION/APPROVAL/PROTO
Develop seasonal carryover SKUs, including handoff to factories and follow-up on development status and outstanding request
Develop new uppers on existing construction
Prepare and maintain specs to support PD and CAM team as needed
Upload and maintain the main sketch image to support UPC label creation and product tracking
Handle daily factory communication with Product Creation and Asia Product Development teams regarding development, costing, sample status and approvals
Assist with product confirmation reviews by organizing and pulling relevant samples, materials, and swatches for comparison
Review costing breakdown sheets (CBD) from factories and proactively suggest alternative materials or engineering solutions to ensure SKUs meet TFOB
Update PLM during each milestone. Record and track Product Development handoff dates and key milestones in PLM to help ensure on-time sample delivery
Conduct market, competitive, and trend research to support seasonal product development initiatives
Attend Product Development meetings and provide support as needed
Participate in meetings with cross functional team and follow-up actions