Footwear Designer

Sweet Apparel Inc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Sweet Apparel Inc. is expanding into the SA Footwear line, seeking a Footwear Designer to drive innovative, market-ready products from concept through delivery.

You will collaborate with design, development, and production teams to shape seasonal collections and align with brand strategies. The role requires 3–5 years of footwear design experience, strong portfolio, and proficiency in CAD and Adobe Creative Suite.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of footwear design experience.
• Technical ability and experience fit correcting shoes.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional design aesthetics, technical knowledge and product storytelling abilities.
• Experience with footwear development process and working with international teams.
• Comprehensive knowledge of footwear materials, construction components, manufacturing process and fit considerations.
• Effectively manage time, multi-task, and pay strong attention to detail, and work within a team environment.
• Knowledge of CAD systems to assist in ideation and creative process.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Ability to interpret trends for mass market to meet business and strategic needs.
• Ability to work and prioritize tasks and execute deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Sketch and create specs and tech packs for the international manufacturing teams.
• Help create and inspire new ideas /concepts to execute a competitive product line that supports the brands’ strategic objectives, quality components, and trend concepts.
• Ability to balance and navigate between multiple footwear brands including aesthetics and overall design.
• Maintain knowledge of current and future trends by design forecasting and research market.
• Work with design team to create moods for the season (color palettes, prints, materials, etc.).
• Prepare sketch boards/trend boards for team internal and external reviews.
• Communication with international development teams and agents.
• Domestic and International travel as necessary.
• Detailing / inputting specification sheets of footwear collections.
• Assist in prototype corrections, commercialization and fit approvals; including taking notes and submitting to international teams.
• General and basic operations including and not limited to: opening packages, keeping design room neat and organized to manage flow of development.
• Support with domestic and international shipments.
• Keen eye to detail and color variations.

Skills

Footwear design

Portfolio development

Communication skills

Time management

Trend forecasting

Tools

CAD software

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

Sweet Apparel Inc. is a fast-paced apparel manufacturer specializing in quick turn production for juniors, women’s, men’s, and kids’ clothing. The company is recognized for high standards in design, quality, and timely delivery to retail partners and brands. Teams collaborate closely across design, production, and operations to bring fashion-forward products to market efficiently.

Stepping into footwear with SA Footwear is a natural extension of Sweet Apparel's design and manufacturing expertise. The SA Footwear category spans casual sneakers, trendy boots, elegant heels, and comfortable flats made from man-made materials or leather. Whether it's coordinating with our apparel lines or creating standalone shoe collections, we apply the same rigorous quality control and trend insight to footwear as we do to apparel.

Position Summary

We are seeking an organized, creative, and enthusiastic Footwear Designer who thrives in a fast-paced environment. In this position, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams in design, development, and production to deliver innovative, market-ready products that engage consumers and support business expansion. You will help guide seasonal collections, identify market opportunities, and share forward-thinking ideas from initial concept through final product delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Sketch and create specs and tech packs for the international manufacturing teams
• Help create and inspire new ideas /concepts to execute a competitive product line that supports the brands’ strategic objectives, quality components, and trend concepts
• Ability to balance and navigate between multiple footwear brands including aesthetics and overall design
• Maintain knowledge of current and future trends by design forecasting and research market
• Work with design team to create moods for the season (color palettes, prints, materials, etc.)
• Prepare sketch boards/trend boards for team internal and external reviews
• Communication with international development teams and agents
• Domestic and International travel as necessary
• Detailing / inputting specification sheets of footwear collections
• Assist in prototype corrections, commercialization and fit approvals; including taking notes and submitting to international teams
• General and basic operations including and not limited to: opening packages, keeping design room neat and organized to manage flow of development
• Support with domestic and international shipments
• Keen eye to detail and color variations

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of footwear design experience
• Technical ability and experience fit correcting shoes
• Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional design aesthetics, technical knowledge and product story telling abilities
• Experience with footwear development process and working with international teams
• Comprehensive knowledge of footwear materials, construction components, manufacturing process and fit considerations
• Effectively manage time, multi-task, and pay strong attention to detail, and work within a team environment
• Knowledge of CAD systems to assist in ideation and creative process
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), and Adobe Creative Suite
• Ability to interpret trends for mass market to meet business and strategic needs
• Ability to work and prioritize tasks and execute deadlines in a dynamic environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills