Footwear Technologist

Carvela, deeply rooted in Italian heritage, leads the way in premium accessories with shoes and bags designed in the heart of Milan by women, for women. Each product reflects our commitment to exceptional design and comfort, with every collection thoughtfully designed. Our brand is shaped by timeless style and a design philosophy that empowers women of all ages to feel their best. Made with high-quality materials and shaped by Italian-inspired silhouettes, our collections are created to work as hard as the women who wear them.

We are looking for an experienced Footwear Technologist, ideally with a background in manufacturing and sourcing of premium women’s footwear and leather goods. A thorough knowledge of footwear development and manufacturing is required, along with a good awareness of market trends to ensure that the footwear is functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.

• Support the Sourcing Team by maintaining data regarding supplier quality issues and ensuring that records are maintained and updated.
• Facilitating raw material and sample testing and communicating the results to internal stakeholders.
• Help to collate the data on leather sourcing and volumes to provide the Leather Working Group.
• Becoming familiar with compliance and regulations to ensure that the necessary processes and documentation are followed and in order.
• Accessing the internal order tracking system to advise on Head of Sourcing on shipment schedules.
• Follow up with the distribution centres in the UK, Europe and the US to ensure that any samples illustrating issues are being sent to HQ and the suppliers.
• Support cost negotiations and work closely with brand partners to ensure prices and margins are achieved.
• Work proactively with the UK team and Asia Supply Chain team to take appropriate action on production schedules and material approvals.
• Send samples off for testing and follow up on quality-related issues.
• Build cross-functional team relationships to confidently communicate information regarding supply chain related issues.
• Assist and support the team with day-to-day duties.

• Carry out regular store visits to report on quality standards.
• Product data input on the required systems.
• Complete seasonal product reports for senior leadership meetings.
• Support other departments when cover is needed.
• Where necessary, go on trips with the Buyer and/or Designer to suppliers around the world.
• Liaise with DC QC team to ensure that products are inspected appropriately.
• Investigate quality issues, find solutions and report findings to the QA Technical manager.
• Ensure emerging issues are resolved quickly and effectively.
• Ensuring traceability of confirmation samples into the warehouse is maintained.
• Ensure all damaged goods, manufacturing faults, transit damages are processed appropriately.
• Ensure international compliance documentation is accessible in the central system to prevent shipping delays.

• Technically trained in footwear fitting and grading.
• Previous experience in footwear production or sourcing.
• Can work to tight deadlines.
• A strong and effective communicator.
• Has experience in women’s premium fashion footwear.
• Inquisitive and confident - enjoys researching and summarising information on ad-hoc projects.
• Project management skills - the ability to manage multiple areas of work and ensure deadlines are met.
• Attention to detail and accuracy essential.
• Has a good understanding of leather.
• Has Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills.

• Competitive basic salary.
• Pension and life assurance.
• Enviable discounts.
• Gym Discounts.
• Summer Hours - 3pm Friday finish.
• Half Day, Pay Day Friday (once per month).
• RetailTrust support.
• And so much more!

We’re an energetic fast-paced brand that embraces progress and strives for innovation. Hard work is rewarded with new opportunities at every level and kindness is celebrated in everything we do. Our summer working hours accommodate a healthy work-life balance. Wellbeing is important to our working culture, which is why we nurture a friendly environment for talent to thrive in, alongside a vibrant social community.

The first Kurt Geiger store opened on London Bond street in 1963. Today, our brand has global appeal and is distributed in hundreds of cities around the world. We operate over 70 stand-alone stores nationwide, including our new flagship store on London Oxford street, and in over 400 stores globally. Beyond stand-alone stores and retail pop-ups, our retail partners include some of the world’s most famous department stores.

We Are One: For Love | For Diversity | For Change | For Equality | For Kindness | For Freedom | Against Racism.