Associate Technical Developer- Footwear

Target; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 58,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Target is a Fortune 50 retailer seeking an Associate Product Operations Technical Developer for Footwear in Minneapolis. You will support footwear product development from concept to production, collaborating with design, merchandising, sourcing, and overseas teams to ensure brand cohesion and quality.

The role focuses on detailed specifications, wear testing, and market insights, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, accuracy, and timely delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, AA, or certification in technical design, product design, industrial design, or related field; equivalent hands-on experience in the footwear industry will also be considered.
• 0–4 years' experience in footwear product development or related industry.
• Proficient use of Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Office, PLM, and 3D CAD is a plus.
• Attention to detail, problem solving and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with CFT to research and develop guest-focused Owned Brand product from concept through production.
• Partner with Sr. Technical Designer, Designer, Merchandising, Sourcing and Vendors to deliver on objectives and strategy while adhering to timelines.
• Create, maintain and complete accurate specifications and approvals in PLM system with overseas teams.
• Communicate daily with internal and external partners to ensure high quality execution in materials and fit.
• Perform fit evaluations on samples for fit, construction, and quality.
• Assist in cycle technical research, wear testing, quality analysis, and product solutions.
• Proactively collaborate with overseas teams to alleviate manufacturing, quality, and fit concerns.
• Conduct market research of competitors and opportunities to drive value and cost-effective quality products.
• Support guest insights and wear testing to build products that foster inclusivity.
• Review production issues with vendor/production teams to resolve.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Multitasking

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree / AA / certification in technical design or related field

Tools

Photoshop

Illustrator

Microsoft Office Suite

PLM system

3D CAD

Job description

The pay range is $58,100.00 - $104,600.00

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position.These include labor markets and in some instancesmay include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Target cares about and invests in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves.Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation.Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits

Associate Product OperationsTechnical Developer, Footwear

About us:

Target is an iconic brand, a Fortune 50 company and one of America's leading retailers.
At the heart of one of the world's best loved and most recognizable brands is an impeccable **Owned Brand Sourcing & Development** organization. We thrive on the magic of discovering that just-right thing, and we infuse everything we do with our passion for affordable chic. We develop,makeand deliver the stylish new favorites that Target guests expect and deserve. We stay ahead of the curve, proactivelyidentifying our market's needs and exceeding them, every time. Join one of our dynamic and inventive teams to influence the quality and value that decisively position Target above the competition. Your input will have a direct and positive effect. Here, you'll be close to the action of dreaming up and bringing to life the Target-owned brands that surprise and gratify guests, wherever and whenever they love to shop.

A role with the Footwear Development team means a big opportunity to start from scratchand create something truly original. Are you afootwear product development expert who can support your business by staying one step ahead of the industry? Can you demonstrate the utmost attention to detail and develop products that are unprecedented in the marketplace for their value? Then you'll have successonour Footwear Development team who owns the development of all Target-owned brands. In close partnership with our design,merchantand sourcing counterparts, you'll drive brand cohesion and continuity, ensuring that our products meet the merchant line plans, assortment strategies, pricepointsand guest expectations.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with CFT to research and develop guest-focused Owned Brand product from concept through production

• Partner with Sr. Technical Designer, Designer, Merchandising, Sourcing and Vendors to deliver on product objectives and business strategy while adhering to calendar timelines

• In partnership with overseas technical design teams and vendors, create, maintain and complete accurate specifications and approvals in PLM system

• Communicate daily with internal and external partners to ensure high quality execution in materials, components, and fit

• Perform fit evaluation on samples for fit, construction, and quality

• Assist in cycle technical research, wear testing, quality analysis, innovation and product solutions

• Partner proactively with overseas technical designers, production engineers and vendors to alleviate potential manufacturing, quality, and fit concerns within the product development cycle

• Assist in conducting market research of competitors, benchmarks, and new opportunities to engineer value and drive development of cost viable quality products.

• Assist with guest insights and product testing teams to drive guest research and wear testing to build products that foster inclusivity

• Assist in supporting close to vendor and production teams by reviewing production issues and collaborating with CFT to resolve

• Help establish and enhance product development guidelines and standards by category and brand

• Shadow Technical Development Team's vendor training, onboarding, assessments and accreditation

• Assist in building and maintaining last library

• Performs other duties as required/assigned by manager

• This role is performed in office 4 days/week from our Downtown MN campus. This is not a remote eligible role.

About you:

• Bachelor's degree, AA, or certification in technical design, product design, industrial design, or related field; equivalent hands-on experience in the footwear industry will also be considered.

• 0-4 years' experience in footwear product development, or other related industry

• Knowledge of footwear fit, construction, molds/blueprints, and lasts, not required, but valued

• Proficient use of relevant computer applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Office Suite, PLM system, 3D CAD experience is a plus)

• Attention to detail, problem solving and decision-making skills

• Drive to learn and retain new technology and software as it pertains to role

• Strong multi-tasking ability while being detail oriented with excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills

• Ability to proactively troubleshoot and problem solve in a fast-paced, often changing, highly collaborative environment.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to effectively influence.

• Committed to continuous learning, diversity, equity, and inclusion

Team Members in the Target General Merch Inc operating company are prohibited from working more than thirty (30) days per calendar year in any of the following states: AL, AR, DE, FL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MS, MO, NC, OK, PA, SC, TN and VA. If hired, you will be prohibited from working remotely from any of the states listed above for more than thirty (30) days per calendar year.

Benefits Eligibility

Please paste this url into your preferred browser to learn about benefits eligibility for this role: https://tgt.biz/BenefitsForYou_D

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In compliance with state and federal laws, Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please reach out to [e-mail]. Non-accommodation-related requests, such as application follow-ups or technical issues, will not be addressed through this channel.

Application deadline is : 09/06/2026