Sr. Footwear Designer

About the Company

Headquartered in Southern California, Skechers—the Comfort Technology Company®—has spent over 30 years helping men, women, and kids everywhere look and feel good. Comfort innovation is at the core of everything we do, driving the development of stylish, high-quality products at a great value. From our diverse footwear collections to our expanding range of apparel and accessories, Skechers is a complete lifestyle brand.

About the Role

The Sr. Footwear Designer will integrate their thorough understanding of footwear design, market conditions, consumer expectations, technologies, and the manufacturing process with their design excellence to develop the next generations of Skechers footwear products under the direction and leadership of the VP of Design. They will influence respective footwear categories using cultural events knowledge and experience relating to how current and upcoming trends might impact consumers' buying decisions, covering a vast demographic and multi-cultural area. Additionally, they'll collaborate with marketing and sales personnel on projects to maximize effectiveness and sale-ability using their expertise in design, development, and market relevance.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the VP of Design, design and develop innovative and cost-efficient brand and market-relevant footwear, including concepting, storytelling, and technical development.
• Work with design management, development, and marketing personnel to collaborate on design projects to maximize effectiveness and build products to target cost.
• Create accurate, detailed, high-quality renderings and CADs quickly and efficiently.
• Create accurate tech packs for outsole and upper designs.
• Draw cross sections and read blueprints accurately.
• Build and present seasonal product strategies and trend boards.
• Constant interaction with merchandisers on all aspects of product line plans, briefs, color palette, pricing, themes, graphics, and strategies.
• Work with developers in the US and Asia on line schedules, adhere to the product calendar, ensuring development projects are on track.
• Coordinate and develop new materials, constructions, processes, and procedures with developers and materials team.
• Responsible for getting prototypes and samples executed to reflect the concept and design you created.
• Innovate through fashion-forward new designs and technologies.
• Protect and enhance Skechers “DNA”.
• Handle special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Footwear Design, Fashion Design, or Graphic Design.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive shoe designing experience and knowledge of shoe constructions and materials.

Skills

• Thorough understanding of ever-changing fashion trends and directions through international and domestic travel, market shopping, tradeshows, and researching the competition.
• Ability to collaborate with other designers, colorists, technicians, and merchandisers.
• Ability to sketch shoes accurately, quickly, proportionately, and provide detailed specifications.
• Understanding of the footwear production process at the factory level.
• Expert skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator and Photoshop).
• Great communication/presentation skills and ability to work well with others.
• Passion for performance and lifestyle footwear design.
• Knowledge of shoe construction and materials.
• Versatility and ability to switch gears between projects.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $160,000-$190,000/yr USD.