Footwear Designer Mens & Womens Licensed Brands

Working Pattern:Typically 5 days in the office with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.

The Role
As a Footwear Designer at NEXT you will bring a fresh commercial vision to our footwear collections taking ownership of driving product innovation across Russell & Bromley Mens & Womens Footwear & Ted Baker Womens Footwear.

Your primary mission is to capture emerging global trends and translate them into versatile trend led and wearable footwear ranges that deliver exceptional value and style to our customer.

In this role you will make a direct impact on seasonal collections by bridging high level design concepts with commercial execution. You will collaborate closely with a passionate cross functional team including Buyers Merchandisers Garment & Footwear Technologists and overseas sourcing partners to bring cohesive collections from initial concept to the high street.

What Youll Take On

• Design Dynamic Footwear Collections: Conceptualise and develop commercial trend driven footwear ranges across varied categories (including boots shoes sandals and casual styles).
• Gather Global Inspiration:Undertake inspirational travel and market research to identify global footwear trends innovative materials trims and construction techniques.
• Drive Technical Execution: Create precise factory ready CADs colour CAD layouts and detailed technical specification packs for international manufacturers and suppliers.
• Refine Construction & Fit: Partner closely with footwear technologists and suppliers during sample reviews and fit sessions to ensure superior comfort durability and silhouette precision.
• Design to Cost: Work creatively within designated price point frameworks to maximise product design value without compromising on style material quality or structural integrity.
• Collaborate Cross Functionally:Work hand in hand daily with buying merchandising and external manufacturing partners to deliver cohesive on trend ranges to market on time.

What Youll Bring

• Footwear Design Expertise: Proven experience designing footwear within a fast paced fashion retail brand or supplier environment with a strong understanding of lasting soles materials and shoe construction.
• Advanced Technical Proficiency: Expert level skills in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop with a track record of producing accurate technical spec packs outsole drawings and detailed material briefs.
• Commercial Trend Eye:A sharp natural taste level and strong commercial instinct with the ability to spot trends early and translate them into high volume commercially successful products.
• Vendor & Factory Experience: Practical experience working alongside overseas factories material suppliers and sourcing partners to develop prototypes and solve production challenges.
• Collaborative Spirit:Outstanding communication and team working skills with the organisation and agility needed to thrive in a fast paced design calendar.

Portfolios
To help us get a feel for your style please attach a digital portfolio to your application. We are looking for work that demonstrates a sharp eye for the future ofFootwear how your ideas can be commercially viable for NEXT and showcases your direct design and CAD work. To help you put your best foot forward weve put together a fewtop tips on what makes a portfolio stand out to our team.

Applications without a portfoliowill not be considered.

Sponsorship
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see: encourage early applications for our roles as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position this advert may close earlier than planned.

At NEXT we believe the best work happens when there are no barriers to collaboration. Thats why we are a Google-powered workspace. From your very first day youll be using the full Google Workspace suite; Docs Drive and Meet to stay connected and move fast. If your previous experience is rooted in other software suites dont worry! Well point you to a digital Google toolkit the moment you join packed with handy guides and insider tips to help you transition smoothly and hit the ground running.

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