Design Associate, Footwear

FashionUnited; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid Paternity and Maternity leave

Commuter Benefits

Disability insurance

Tuition assistance

Job summary

FashionUnited is seeking an Associate Designer for Women’s Footwear to contribute innovative designs for casual and dress shoes. The ideal candidate should have over 3 years of experience in footwear design, with strong skills in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

This role emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams to develop products aligned with Coach's aesthetic. The position offers a base pay range of $70,000 to $80,000 and includes various benefits like medical and dental insurance.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of equivalent or relative experience in footwear.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities quickly and efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Contribute seasonally appropriate concept development and trend research.
• Communicate designs through well executed hand or digital sketches.
• Collaborate with cross functional partners to ensure footwear concepts align with brand direction.
• Manage timeline adherence for design documentation.

Skills

Sketching both technical drawings and freeform sketches

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Microsoft Excel

Communication skills

Organization skills

Understanding of Coach aesthetic

Job description

Coach is a global fashion house founded in New York in 1941. Inspired by the vision of Creative Director Stuart Vevers and the inclusive and courageous spirit of our hometown, we make beautiful things, crafted to last—for you to be yourself in. Coach is part of the Tapestry portfolio – a global house of brands committed to stretching what’s possible. A member of the Tapestry family, we are part of a global house of brands that has unwavering optimism and is committed to being innovative and wholly inclusive. Visit Our People page to learn more about Tapestry's commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity.

Associate Designer – Women’s Footwear

Work within team and assist senior team to design and develop footwear for women’s casual and dress shoes category that not only meet our customer’s needs but fit within the Coach aesthetic and the brand’s larger design goals. This role may grow to include independently managing areas of design and development or specific categories or relationships within the scope of the design team’s responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Contribute seasonally appropriate concept development and trend research.
• Communicate designs through well executed hand or digital sketches.
• Work with team to thoughtfully present concepts and designs to cross functional partners and senior design team.
• Collaborate with cross functional partners to ensure footwear concepts and designs sit within the greater seasonal direction for the brand and address our customer’s needs.
• Assist senior team in being responsible for timeline adherence; ensure all design documentation are delivered to development partners on time and remain organized throughout the season.
• Utilize and develop technical knowledge of footwear construction to communicate specifications for designs and pattern layouts to partners.
• Partner with material team to identify trends and consider sustainability while sourcing seasonal materials. This may grow to include travel to leather fairs.
• Partner with technician in New York to correct prototypes. This may lead to accompanying senior team members on travel to Asia to review and correct samples.
• Efficiently CAD final designs for line opening presentations and specs.
• Work within design team and with cross functional partners to detail the line as a design forward but well merchandised collection. Along with team, responsible for insuring the design integrity is met throughout the entire product development process from concept through manufacturing.

Runway

• Contribute seasonally appropriate concept research with an understanding of vintage footwear.
• In addition to the design development of Runway footwear, assist team in partnering and coordinating with ready to wear at key styling points throughout the season.
• Must be available to work for all days during show styling; be on hand while looks are being assigned, keep track of footwear allocation, run errands and make last minute modifications to footwear as needed.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of equivalent or relative experience in footwear.
• Ability to sketch both technical drawings and freeform sketches and renderings.
• Experience in working with cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities quickly and efficiently and with tight deadlines.
• Team player with strong communication and organization skills.
• Understanding of the Coach aesthetic.

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Benefits

Base Pay Range: $70,000.00-$80,000.00

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid Paternity and Maternity leave
• Commuter Benefits
• Disability insurance
• Tuition assistance

Coach is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and we pride ourselves on hiring and developing the best people. All employment decisions (including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, transfer, training, discipline and termination) are based on the applicant’s or employee’s qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration. These decisions are made without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic characteristics, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship, disability, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or any other legally-recognized protected basis prohibited by applicable law.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Tapestry, Inc. will provide applicants and employees with reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious beliefs. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact Tapestry People Services at 1-855-566-9264 or [e-mail]

Visit Coach for more information.