Footwear Designer

Overview

We are seeking a skilled Manual Designer with 4 to 6 years of specialized experience in pattern development and grading for open footwear. The role entails end-to-end responsibilities from creating production-ready patterns to overseeing fitting validation, die preparation, and commercialization processes to ensure flawless manufacturing readiness and fit accuracy. Prior experience as a Shoe Master is advantageous.

Core Responsibilities

• Create manual patterns for open footwear types such as EVA, PVC, PU, and various fabrications.
• Develop precise and production-ready upper foot patterns aligned with approved design specifications, ensuring symmetry, accuracy, and manufacturability.
• Manage the comprehensive grading across all size ranges, maintaining dimensional consistency and adherence to grading standards.
• Conduct fitting assessments to detect and resolve fit issues; revise patterns accordingly and approve final patterns for commercialization.
• Collaborate effectively with New Product Development, moulding, and production teams for final pattern validation and release.
• Oversee the commercialization phase by releasing patterns for pilot and mass production, providing support during initial trials, and addressing pattern-related corrections before mass production.
• Design cutting die layouts, validate them, and manage coordination with suppliers to develop and update dies, ensuring accurate records of all revisions.
• Maintain coordination with multi-disciplinary teams including design, NPD, production, quality assurance, sourcing, and vendors.
• Document and preserve master files such as pattern masters, grading sheets, fit reports, and commercialization documentation with strict version control.

Deliverables

• Production-ready manual patterns for open footwear lines.
• Precisely graded size sets consistent with standards.
• Final fitting approvals for newly developed footwear.
• Patterns ready for commercialization deployment.
• Authorized cutting dies ready for production.
• Responsive technical support throughout pilot and bulk production stages.

Candidate Requirements

• A proven track record of 4 to 6 years in manual pattern making and grading tailored to the open footwear industry.
• In-depth understanding of footwear construction principles, grading techniques, and fitting methodologies.
• Experience handling pattern commercialization and die development workflows.
• Strong coordination capabilities combined with analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working as a Shoe Master will be considered a valuable addition.