POSITION SUMMARY:

The Footwear Designer initiates the tangible creation of new footwear as a core member of the product development team. Develops comprehensive design and product solutions that are in line with brand strategies, business plans, and customer needs. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Works closely with product development manager, merchant teams and product specialists, vendor/materials supply base to bring new products to market.
• Designs cohesive products to brand strategy that meet the requirements of seasonal line plan
• Initiates research for the upcoming seasonal line planning to determine needed updates, trends, themes, new materials, and trims.
• Works with product development team to help define product direction and line plans for each season.
• Creates styles that are on brand and achieve financial metrics. Can balance cost effective constructions while maintaining desired product attributes and performance.
• Provides technical design packages to factories for sample development which include utilizing Centric PLM, Adobe Illustrator sketches, illustrations of construction details, sample spec measurements, and construction, trim information, and other pertinent details as needed.
• Executes assigned projects/styles within seasonal time lines.
• Works with team to resolve fit, style, and/or construction issues and ensure a fully commercialized product.
• Maintains up to date product illustrations and designs throughout the development process.
• Reviews product samples, materials qualities, and color for approval with product development team.
• Develops and maintains a thorough understanding of the materials and manufacturing techniques that vendor base is capable of producing.
• Works closely with team and external resources to bring new and improved solutions that benefit the brand (such as new materials, creative art, trends, technologies, construction techniques, features, etc.).
• Presents work at internal reviews meetings.
• Stays up to date with industry trends, work with merchant teams and other industry representatives to help ensure we’re meeting our customers evolving needs.
• Collaborates with team in product design changes where necessary in order to address in-line production issues.
• Assists product development team in developing a schedule for the flow of the development time line plan through all development stages, including reporting progress updates.
• Contributes to the development of new materials and technologies and/or sourcing of existing materials, textiles and trims.
• Works with development team and vendors to ensure production ready samples are realized on-time.
• Creates patterns, mock ups, and prototypes to explore, resolve, or prove new concepts or construction techniques as required.
• ALL OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor's Degree in Design, Industrial Design, or Product Development
• Years of experience: 7+ years hands on experience designing products in footwear. Hands-on experience developing footwear designs through sampling process in factory.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:

• Knowledge of the footwear construction and manufacturing methods
• Technical and creative skills to recognize market trends and translate into brand new product concepts
• Well organized, with a keen eye for detail
• Excellent design aesthetic, strong technical capability
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Illustrator and Photoshop
• Possess excellent knowledge MS Office applications
• Understanding of PLM software
• Conceptual thinker and a creative motivator, while also being proactive and detail-oriented.
• Highly collaborative to coordinate design vision with merchandising and product development teams.
• Creative problem solving and leadership skills
• Storytelling and visual communications skills;
• Ability to dive in and ‘do the work’, too when needed and in mentorship of other creatives
• Positive, can-do attitude and ability to take feedback and other ideas well
• Sees the strategic goals of the company and can translate this to some aspects of their AOR
• Takes responsibility for the outcome of projects
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; confident to present projects in group settings

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• 10-20%, Domestic and International

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Regular computer work, walking, standing, lifting up to 50lbs, etc.

INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT

• Performs duties within scope of general company policies, procedures, and objectives. Analyzes problems and performs needs assessments. Uses judgment in adapting broad guidelines to achieve desired result. Regular exercise of independent judgment within accepted practices. Makes recommendations that affect policies, procedures, and practices.

Full Time Benefits Summary:

Enjoy discounts on retail merchandise, our restaurants, world-class resorts and conservation attractions!

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• Voluntary benefits
• 401k Retirement Savings
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick time
• Bass Pro Cares Fund
• And more!

Bass Pro Shops is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring decisions are administered without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.