Footwear Product Developer

WHO YOU ARE:

We are currently looking for a Footwear Product Developer to join our Footwear/Bags/Wallets team. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Footwear/Handbags and working closely with the team, you will be responsible for:

• Research latest trends, street style, and analyze runway shows, translating them to support the brand vision (WGSN, social media, competitors, etc.).
• Bring designs through the development stage to production ready products meeting design, fit, quality requirements and align with brand direction.
• Negotiate and review prices with manager to ensure FOB is reasonable vs design vs retail/vs other suppliers offers and meet margin targets.
• Communicate with suppliers, including follow-up on sample updates, preparing and sending out technical packages to vendors. Includes updating data systems and internal and external customers/suppliers as product changes in the development cycle.
• Review samples for accuracy of execution, fit, workmanship and function. Make tech pack updates, pattern adjustments, etc. to resolve any design/quality issues that arise during development and communicate changes to the factories for proper execution.
• Review issues with department manager and factories to evaluate and clarify issues.
• Track development process, managing all products to adhere to timelines & action calendar deadlines.
• Create product architecture and determine a development plan incorporating best sellers, keeps, updates and trends.
• Determine material standards.
• Analyze weekly sales results to ascertain if actions are required (ex: updates, repeats, fit issues, etc.). Communicate findings in weekly meetings to further enhance the collections.
• Conduct & present biweekly market competition analysis, monitor collections, quality and price points.
• Work with marketing for product alignment.
• Other duties as required

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Completion of post-secondary education, with a degree/diploma in Graphic Design.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a related role.
• Computer proficiency (Mac and PC format), with knowledge of Adobe Illustrator CS+, Adobe Photoshop CS+, Acrobat 6.
• Ability to font and image source.
• Ability to crop and make color corrections to images.
• Ability to work effectively in a high activity environment.
• Strong communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with a keen ability to multi-task.
• Willingness to take on new challenges.
• Positive, upbeat energy with ability to create fun working environment is a must.

Artificial intelligence (AI) may be used to support certain stages of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications. AI is used as a tool to assist our hiring team and does not make hiring or rejection decisions. All employment decisions are made by Ardene's recruitment team. 

Ardene is an equal opportunity employer, and as such, does not discriminate in hiring or terms and conditions of employment on the basis of an individual’s race, ancestry, color, place of origin, religion, gender, gender identity, citizenship, age, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, family status, marital status or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. Accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Selection decisions are solely based on job-related factors.