Associate Technical Developer- Footwear

Roundel; Minneapolis, Northern (MN, KY); Hybrid; USD 58,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Target is seeking an Associate Product Operations Technical Developer, Footwear in Minneapolis to research and develop guest-focused Owned Brand footwear from concept through production. You will partner with design, merchandising, sourcing and vendors to deliver on product objectives while meeting calendar timelines.

In this role you’ll maintain specifications in the PLM system, coordinate with overseas teams, and help ensure fit, construction and quality across samples.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or certification in technical design, product design, industrial design, or related field

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.

Skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Multi-tasking

Verbal communication

Written communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or certification in technical/industrial design

Tools

Photoshop

Illustrator

Microsoft Office

PLM system

3D CAD

Job description

Associate Product Operations Technical Developer, Footwear

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 instances may 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.

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, make and deliver the stylish new favorites that Target guests expect and deserve. We stay ahead of the curve, proactively identifying 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.

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.

Our Benefits

We care about and invest 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.

Company culture and values

Target is committed to responsible corporate citizenship, ethical business practices, environmental stewardship and generous community support. Since 1946, we have given 5 percent of our profits back to our communities. Our goal is to work as one team to fulfill our unique brand promise to our guests, wherever and whenever they choose to shop. Target is committed to responsible corporate citizenship, ethical business practices, environmental stewardship and generous community support. Since 1946, we have given 5 percent of our profits back to our communities. Our goal is to work as one team to fulfill our unique brand promise to our guests, wherever and whenever they choose to shop.