Direct Reports…

Key Interfaces…

Developer – Bags/ Accessories

Footwear Development Intern

Head of Footwear Design

Head of PD & Production – Apparel

Head of Mainline

Head of 247

Head of Merchandising

Position Overview: We are seeking a highly organized and proactive Head of Footwear & Accessories Development/ Production to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will be responsible for leading and managing the execution of styles from concept through to final launch, collaborating with design, and merchandising teams to ensure that products meet the brand’s high standards for quality, fit, and aesthetic. You will collaborate with key stakeholders to manage the product development process, from material selection to production, and ensure timely delivery of market-ready products.

Working Pattern (HQ)

4 days in office 1 day WFH

Location

HQ – Unit 1, Northgate Close, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6PQ

Benefits (HQ)

• 25 x days holiday per year
  
  
• Company bonus scheme
  
  
• Staff discount
  
  
• £1,000 annual company gift card
  
  
• On site gym with dedicated personal trainers
  
  
• Electric vehicle scheme
  
  
• Pension & life assurance
  
  
• Private medical insurance

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end execution of product styles from concept to launch, ensuring adherence to timelines, quality standards, and product specifications.
• Define & implement footwear/ accessories development & sourcing strategy to align with the product objective, market trends and commercial goals.
• Actively contribute to design direction meetings, driving technical innovative and creative ideas that align with the brand’s vision and market trends.
• Responsible for guiding design with technical advice & acting technical knowledge across the wider business
• Review, develop & commercialise lasts & patterns ensuring fit is to the highest standard
• Responsible for review, amending & approve tooling blueprints
• Responsible for negotiating prices, managing prices & achieving target margins across footwear & accessories
• Lead the team to bring world-class, fit-for-purpose products to market that meet Represent’s high standards of design and quality.
• Responsible for actioning relevant lab & finished shoe testing, analysing reports & actioning product amends for any failures.
• Resonsible for creating & implementing footwear & accessories critical path, ensuring the calendar aligns with other categories & all key stakeholders adhere to key milestones.
• Plan factory meetings, visits & key fabric trade fairs for the team, and visit stores in style capitals to stay informed on industry trends, brand adjacencies, and new material innovations.
• Build, review & manage travel and tooling budgets, ensuring all team members are adhering to the guidelines.
• Own supplier relationships, negotiating MOQs, costings & lead times. Conduct site visits or video meetings to assess production capabilities, resolve issues, and inspect key health and safety standards as outlined in the supplier manual.
• Build the Footwear & Accessories Sourcing Strategy, analysing T1 KPIs and addressing any challenges or issues that arise.
• Lead, manage & mentor the Footwear Development Intern & Product Developer – Bags/ Accessories.
• Work closely with the Head of Design & Head of Mainline to ensure the teams are delivering high-quality products that meet target margins while maintaining the brand’s design integrity.
• Independently manage and prioritize your team’s workload, ensuring that tech packs are of the highest quality, detailed, and can be accurately executed by factories to produce high-quality first prototypes.
• Source sustainable fabrics, trims, and packaging options, aligning with the brand’s commitment to sustainability where possible.
• Ensure the current supply base is compliant with the brand’s ethical and operational standards, maintaining transparency across all processes.
• Expertly create Bill of Materials (BOMs) with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and clarity for factories.
• Organise & lead fit sessions and prototype reviews, providing technical guidance and feedback to ensure optimal fit and quality.
• Identify styles that require wear testing, coordinating with the appropriate teams to conduct testing and ensure product durability and functionality.
• Maintain and regularly update the sample tracker report, ensuring all sample statuses and details are accurately reflected.
• Responsible for managing product data on the PLM Data Management System.
• Work closely with Merch to confirm Buy Ready status, approving all confirmation samples, prices & testing status.
• Understand & book factory capacity through forecasting alongside Merchandisers.

KEY SKILLS

EXPERIENCE

• Collaborative, non-political approach
• Appropriate qualifications in footwear sector or equivalent work experience
• Substantial experience leading & managing Product teams
• Highly organised, product management skills & ability to manage multiple timelines
• Experience working with global Fashion / Sportswear footwear brands
• Expert footwear construction and engineering skills
• Experience in negotiating prices, obtaining initial cost prices & suggesting commercial RRPs
• Hands on when required. Be prepared to assist at all levels.

• Knowledge of last, tooling & pattern development through development & commercialisation
• Ability to assess product risk & strong problem-solving skills to mitigate risk
• Flexible and open to evolving business needs and priorities
• Extensive knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Excel, PowerPoint & Word

• Ability to analyse CBDs and suggest commercial solutions to achieve target margin
• Understanding of factory capacity & ability to book capacity

You have…

• 10+ Years of footwear development/ technical/ sourcing/ production experience
• Experience leading & managing teams
• Expert knowledge of both fashion & performance footwear
• Far East & European Sourcing experience
• Last & Tooling development experience for complex new creation projects.

You might have…

• Branded bags & accessories experience
• Experience working on speed projects
• Experience on PLM systems
• Knowledge and passion for sustainability.

We would ideally like you to …

• Flexible and open to evolving business needs and priorities
• Own the role and make things happen.
• Strong commercial awareness with an ability to identify product risk and confidently provide solutions
• Experience in a fast-paced environment
• Love Product!