At a Glance
- Tasks: Support sourcing and quality control for premium women's footwear and leather goods.
- Company: Carvela, a leading brand in premium accessories with Italian heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, discounts, summer hours, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth and a vibrant social community.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and contribute to empowering women through stylish footwear.
- Qualifications: Experience in footwear production, strong communication skills, and attention to detail.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
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.
Main Duties- Support the Sourcing Team by maintaining data regarding supplier quality issues and ensuring that records are maintained and updated.
- Facilitate raw material and sample testing and communicate the results to internal stakeholders.
- Help to collate the data on leather sourcing and volumes to provide the Leather Working Group.
- Become familiar with compliance and regulations to ensure that the necessary processes and documentation are followed and in order.
- Access the internal order tracking system to advise the 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 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.
- Ensure traceability of confirmation samples into the warehouse is maintained.
- Ensure all damaged goods, manufacturing faults, and 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!
Our Culture: 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.
Our Stores: 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.
We Are One: For Love | For Diversity | For Change | For Equality | For Kindness | For Freedom | Against Racism
Footwear Technologist in London employer: Carvela
Carvela is an exceptional employer that champions a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where innovation and hard work are rewarded with ample growth opportunities. Located in the heart of Milan, our team enjoys competitive benefits, including enviable discounts, gym memberships, and a healthy work-life balance with summer hours and half-day pay on Fridays. Join us to be part of a brand that not only values quality and design but also fosters a supportive environment for all employees to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Footwear Technologist in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the footwear industry, especially those who work at Carvela or similar brands. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for footwear! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, share your thoughts on current trends and how they relate to Carvela's designs. This shows you're not just knowledgeable but genuinely interested in the brand.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to footwear technology and sourcing. Think about specific examples from your past experience that highlight your skills and how they align with what Carvela is looking for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Carvela team and ready to contribute to our mission of empowering women through exceptional design.
We think you need these skills to ace Footwear Technologist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Footwear:When writing your application, let your love for footwear shine through! Share your experiences and what excites you about the industry. We want to see that you’re not just qualified, but genuinely enthusiastic about the role.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Footwear Technologist position. Highlight relevant experience in manufacturing and sourcing, and don’t forget to mention any specific projects that showcase your skills. We appreciate attention to detail!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. We value effective communication, so make sure your writing reflects that. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re proactive and keen to join our team at Carvela!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carvela
✨Know Your Footwear Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of footwear development and manufacturing processes. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in women's premium fashion footwear, as well as the materials used. This will show that you're not just passionate about shoes but also well-informed.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Footwear Technologist, you'll need to communicate effectively with various teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with sourcing teams or resolved quality issues in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to build cross-functional relationships.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially regarding quality issues or compliance challenges. Think of specific instances where you've identified a problem, proposed a solution, and followed through. This will highlight your proactive approach.
✨Understand the Brand's Values
Carvela is all about empowering women and exceptional design. Research their collections and understand their design philosophy. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of creating stylish and functional footwear.
