We are looking for a Design Manager to join our footwear team who has a passion for footwear. This is a great opportunity for those looking to be a part of an energetic, creative, and collaborative group. Our designers have been shaping our department for the better season after season.
Footwear Design Manager Role and Responsibilities:- Design ownership over brands, assigned based on aesthetic and creative strengths, responsible for creating digital CADs for full seasonal collections.
- Create and then present tech packages with information necessary in order to communicate design specific detail necessary to hand off to the design team and factories
- Manage and mentor designers, providing clear direction, feedback, and support to ensure high-quality creative output and professional development.
- Own and maintain the design team’s calendar, coordinating projects, deadlines, reviews, and priorities across teams to ensure resources are appropriately allocated and work is delivered on schedule.
- Balance team capacity and business priorities, proactively identifying scheduling conflicts, resource gaps, and competing deadlines.
- Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to prioritize design requests and establish realistic timelines and expectations.
- Manage and oversee PLM system
- Provide design direction as well as design alongside a team of designers, prepare sample requests, review, critique, test, and approve submitted samples while adhering to product, color, and material standards
- Strong eye for trend, conducting valuable market research, bringing ideas to weekly meeting and inspiring other members of design team
- Works closely with design director with creative freedom throughout process
- Communicate effectively with overseas team to resolve any technical or timing issues
- Work cross-functionally and professionally with product development team, communicating clearly to ensure the design is produced how you envisioned
- Primarily design in Illustrator with minimal retouching in Photoshop
- Bring new ideas and concepts to table regularly
- Adjust product styling or functionality as needed after receiving feedback from inhouse product testing
- Assist in creating pitches for current and new licenses
- Help to create pitches for new licenses
- Present and participate in meetings with licensors and buyers
- Perform comp shopping and store shopping activities to monitor the competitive landscape and identify opportunities for product differentiation and innovation.
- Use all available resources to stay updated on forward trends (WGSN, RVCF, etc.)Maintain seasonal development calendar
Footwear Design Manager Qualifications:- 5+ years’ experience in footwear.
- Managing staff of designers
- Experience in working for a wholesale company managing multiple licenses a plus
- Creative edge, bringing new ideas and trends to the table
- Excellent time management skills
- Excellent project management skills
- Positive team player
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment
- Proficient Illustrator & working knowledge of Photoshop
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong knowledge of customers and buyers’ expectations
- Perform other related duties as assigned by management to support the department’s business needs
- Understand and follow Gina’s employee policies and procedures
Footwear Design Manager Benefits and Perks:- Hybrid work schedule & early Fridays
- Generous PTO and paid holidays 401K & Profit sharing
- Pre-tax commuter benefits
- Professional development
Team building and Company eventsNY Pay Transparency: The pay range for this position is ($95-105k) annually based on skills and experience.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Gina Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. Recruitment Agencies: Gina Group does not accept unsolicited agency resumes and will not be held responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
