At a Glance
- Tasks: Design trendy footwear for girls and men, from casual trainers to stylish sandals.
- Company: Join a global leader in fashion sourcing with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, creative travel opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborate globally and enjoy excellent career growth in a fast-paced setting.
- Why this job: Make your mark in the fashion world and bring innovative designs to life.
- Qualifications: Experience in footwear design, strong CAD skills, and a passion for trends.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Working Pattern: Typically 5 days a week onsite with core flexible hours between 8am to 6pm.
Next Sourcing are looking for a trend driven experienced Footwear Designer, looking to push our Mens & Girls Footwear designs! We’re so much more than just a British retailer. From Istanbul to Shanghai, our Sourcing teams live and work in some of the most iconic cities in the world. They're at the heart of finding, developing and delivering the products our customers love, wear and use every day. Located across the globe, our Next Sourcing teams specialise in all different parts of the sourcing operation, from design and technology to product development.
What You’ll Take On:
- Design the Full Menswear & Girlswear Footwear Range: Create everything from trend-led casual trainers and streetwear to sandals and slippers, ensuring a cohesive, modern, and versatile aesthetic across the department.
- Translate Global Trends: Research and filter global street style, runway trends, and material innovations into "must-have" products tailored to the NEXT customer.
- Inspirational & Development Travel: Embark on seasonal trips to key global fashion hubs for trend inspiration, and visit international factories and tanneries to oversee prototyping and strengthen manufacturing relationships.
- Drive Rapid Design Cycles: Respond swiftly to design briefs with high energy and precision, producing fast-turnaround CAD concepts, material specs, and technical details without compromising on style.
- Balance Cost, Comfort, and Quality: Design intelligently within strict target price points, selecting the right leathers, textiles, and soling components to maintain a premium feel and maximum comfort at a competitive price.
- Partner with Global Teams: Work daily with Buyers and Merchandisers to align on range plans, and collaborate directly with overseas technical factories to ensure designs are executed to exact construction specifications.
- Ensure Timely Delivery: Manage your critical path effectively to meet tight production calendars, driving products seamlessly from initial sketch to final production-ready sample.
What You’ll Bring:
- A Passion for Product: A strong understanding of footwear construction, lasts, materials, and components across both formal and casual categories.
- Commercial Awareness: The ability to look at high-end trends and understand how to translate them into volume-selling, wearable products for the high street.
- Technical Proficiency: Excellent CAD skills (using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop) to produce clear, detailed tech packs for factory manufacturing.
- Strong Organisation & Pace: Comfort working in a fast-paced environment, with the organisational skills to manage multiple seasonal deadlines at once.
- Collaboration & Communication: A positive, team-focused attitude with the confidence to pitch your design ideas clearly to buyers and build strong relationships with international suppliers.
Portfolios: To help us get a feel for your style, please attach a digital portfolio. We’re looking for work that demonstrates a sharp eye for the future of menswear & girlswear footwear, how these concepts can be commercially viable for NEXT, and showcases your design process, material specs, and CAD work within this! Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.
Sponsorship: Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements.
We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.
At NEXT, we believe the best work happens when there are no barriers to collaboration. That’s why we are a Google-powered workspace. From your very first day, you’ll be using the full Google Workspace suite; Docs, Drive, and Meet, to stay connected and move fast.
If your previous experience is rooted in other software suites, don’t worry! We’ll point you to a digital Google toolkit the moment you join, packed with handy guides and insider tips to help you transition smoothly and hit the ground running.
Footwear Designer - Girlswear & Menswear - Next Sourcing in Leicester employer: Next Careers
At Next Sourcing, we pride ourselves on being more than just a British retailer; we are a global team of innovators dedicated to creating trend-driven footwear that resonates with our customers. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and creativity, offering employees the chance to travel to key fashion hubs for inspiration while working in a dynamic environment that values design excellence and commercial viability. With a commitment to employee growth and a supportive atmosphere, we empower our designers to push boundaries and bring their visions to life.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Footwear Designer - Girlswear & Menswear - Next Sourcing in Leicester
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio in tip-top shape! Make sure it showcases your best work, especially designs that reflect current trends in menswear and girlswear footwear. Remember, this is your chance to shine, so include your design process and any CAD work you've done!
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts or join relevant groups on social media. Engaging with others in the footwear design space can lead to opportunities you might not find on job boards.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Next Sourcing and their latest collections. Show them you’re not just passionate about footwear but also about their brand and what they stand for. Tailor your responses to highlight how you can contribute to their vision!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little nudge can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Footwear Designer - Girlswear & Menswear - Next Sourcing in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Portfolio:Make sure to attach a digital portfolio that really showcases your design style and process. We want to see your sharp eye for future trends in menswear and girlswear footwear, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application:When you’re writing your application, make it personal! Highlight your experience with footwear design and how it aligns with what we’re looking for at Next Sourcing. We love seeing candidates who understand our vibe.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to your skills and experiences. Make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit!
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We encourage early applications as we start reviewing them right away. Get your foot in the door before the position closes!
How to prepare for a job interview at Next Careers
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure to bring a digital portfolio that highlights your best work. Focus on designs that reflect your understanding of current trends in menswear and girlswear footwear, and be ready to discuss your design process and material choices.
✨Research Global Trends
Before the interview, dive into global street style and runway trends. Be prepared to share how you would translate these trends into commercially viable products for NEXT, demonstrating your commercial awareness and passion for product.
✨Master Your CAD Skills
Brush up on your Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills. You might be asked to discuss your technical proficiency, so be ready to explain how you create detailed tech packs and CAD concepts that align with the brand's aesthetic.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Highlight your ability to work in a team and communicate effectively. Share examples of how you've collaborated with buyers or suppliers in the past, and be ready to pitch your design ideas confidently during the interview.
