Footwear Product Development / Design Manager

Dymaxa Recruitment; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable company in the footwear industry is seeking a Product Development Manager based in Cape Town. This role involves managing product ranges and collaborating closely with various departments to meet market needs. The ideal candidate should have significant experience in the apparel industry, strong leadership skills, and proficiency in design software, making them capable of driving innovation in product development.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of proven experience in the apparel industry.
• Proficiency in design software and basic understanding of CAD specific to footwear design.
• Excellent understanding of current fashion trends and consumer behaviour.

Responsibilities

• Manage product ranges and offerings to the market.
• Conceptualize and create digital illustrations aligned with the company's brand identity.
• Collaborate with production and supply chain teams to understand factory capabilities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Time Management

Problem Solving

Attention to Detail

Innovation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design or related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

InDesign

3D modelling tools

CAD software

Job description

Our client, a reputable player in the footwear industry, is seeking an experienced, results-driven Product Development Manager based in Cape Town.

This person will be responsible for managing our product ranges and offerings to the market and will collaborate closely with various departments.

Reporting into the sales structure, the ideal candidate should have a strong sales/retail background from the apparel industry.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strong leadership skills – able to motivate and support the team in achieving goals and meeting deadlines
• Effective time management and ability to perform well under pressure
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for working with cross-functional teams
• Logical reasoning and critical thinking for problem-solving
• Attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to balance innovation with practicality
• Understanding of footwear construction and sustainable material practices is advantageous

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conceptualize and create digital illustrations for product development aligned with the company's brand identity
• Collaborate with production and supply chain teams to understand factory capabilities and constraints
• Conduct trend research and prepare for critical path meetings
• Create seasonal map sheets
• Build tech packs and supplier briefs
• Maintain CAD library and seasonal colour palettes
• Understand trade patterns and design in line with customer preferences
• Use market trends to build and maintain local and import ranges across all brands, accessories, and seasons
• Arrange and distribute samples for sales agents
• Manage on-time tooling for all local manufacture ranges

Personnel Management

• Manage and oversee the development team, ensuring KPIs are met through performance reviews, coaching, training, and corrective actions
• Ensure team adherence to policies and procedures, including disciplinary actions when necessary
• Drive motivation and innovation within the team

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Fashion Design, or a related field
• 5+ years of proven experience in the apparel industry
• Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, or similar, and 3D modelling tools
• Basic understanding of CAD software specific to footwear design
• Experience with sketching and visualization
• Excellent understanding of current fashion trends and consumer behaviour
• Familiarity with trend forecasting tools

Salary: Market related

If you don't hear from us within 3 weeks of your application, please consider your application unsuccessful.