Footwear Technologist

Key responsibilities

Review & research

• Conduct seasonal block and last reviews in collaboration with buying and design teams.

• Maintain and update the footwear specification library (lasts patterns sole specifications material cards) using customer feedback and market benchmarking.

• Analyse market trends competitor footwear construction and material innovations to inform style and performance improvements.

• Review competitor footwear to maintain an innovative profitable and ontrend range while protecting fit integrity.

Product development & quality assurance

• Manage endtoend footwear development from concept through proto fit preproduction and production signoff ensuring consistency in construction and commercial viability.

• Produce clear timely tech packs for footwear (last references lasted patterns uppers insocks midsoles outsoles heel units box/pack specs).

• Provide accurate fit comments at fittings (upper fit toe room last shape heel counter) and secure gold seals on schedule.

• Identify technical risks at signoff (lasting sole bonding stitchline tolerances heel attachment) and work with buyers/suppliers to mitigate.

• Specify and monitor footwear testing requirements (flex tests abrasion slip resistance sole bond strength water resistance ageing/colourfastness) and interpret results to guide corrective actions.

• Maintain product testing and compliance records and coordinate with internal/external labs.

• Liaise with overseas QA teams to maintain brand expectations through training and factory audits focused on lasting sole attachment injection.

Strategy & supplier management

• Lead rootcause analysis for footwear returns (delamination outsole separation stitch failure poor lasting) and develop corrective action plans with suppliers to reduce recurrence.

• Support sourcing decisions for lasts sole manufacturers midsole suppliers and material mills to balance quality cost and continuity.

• Conduct factory technical process audits (lasting lines cementing molding vulcanizing stitchdown) and recommend process improvements.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with footwear suppliers last makers and sole houses; ensure suppliers are aware of technical legal and ethical requirements.

Range planning & build

• Work closely with buying and merchandising to ensure styles are prototyped fitted and sealed per the critical path.

• Ensure suppliers comply with customer technical specifications and corporate ethical/technical audit standards to avoid critical path delays.

• Confirm all active suppliers meet technical standards and that necessary audits process qualifications and tooling approvals are in place.

• Maintain accurate grading rules size conversion tables and pack/box specifications to prevent production inconsistencies.

Leadership & people management

• Line manage and motivate technical team members where applicable; provide clear communication coaching and development.

• Conduct performance reviews objective setting and regular onetoones.

• Champion continuous improvement and adoption of relevant footwear technologies or CAD tools.

• Act as a role model for company culture and lead by example on quality safety and commercial accountability.

Qualifications & experience

• Bachelors degree in Footwear Technology Footwear Design Materials Science Product Technology or a related discipline preferred.

• Minimum 3 years footwear technical experience (development production and supplier management) experience with offshore footwear suppliers is essential.

• Demonstrable product knowledge across a wide range of footwear constructions (cemented lasted vulcanized molded injection/direct attach welted).

• Experience in value retail or multiproduct footwear environments is advantageous.

• Proven track record in issuing timely fit comments securing gold seals and managing customer feedback/returns.

Skills & competencies

• Deep understanding of footwear construction lasts patternmaking for uppers insole/midsole/outsole engineering and materials (leather suede synthetics knitted uppers EVA/PU midsoles rubber/TPU outsoles).

• Familiarity with PLM/ERP systems.

• Strong knowledge of footwear testing methods and relevant industry standards (e.g. SATRA/ASTM/EN ISO guidance) and ability to interpret requirements for commercial compliance.

• Excellent verbal and written communication and stakeholder management skills across design buying suppliers and QA teams.

• Effective time management organisation and ability to work under pressure to meet critical path deadlines.

• Strong analytical problemsolving and negotiation skills with commercial awareness and focus on costeffective solutions.

• Proficient in MS Office (Word Excel Outlook).

Other

• Willingness to travel overseas regularly to supplier factories for technical audits fittings and development meetings.

• Commitment to ethical sourcing product safety and continuous improvement.

This role requires a dedicated professional who balances footwear technical expertise supplier management and leadership to deliver highquality commercially successful footwear products.

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