Footwear Designer

Are you a confident and effective communicato r?

Do you have minimum 3 years commercial track record designing for a sport, outdoor or comfort lifestyle footwear brand?

Looking for a role where you can assist in creating great looking, quality, commercial, cohesive footwear across all our ranges?

If so, we have an opportunity for a Footwear Designer to join our Product team !

The Impact you will have in this role is :

• Create innovative, commercial products considering technology, construction, end use, and price points.
• Understand brand positioning and identify market opportunities with UK and European sales teams.
• Partner with Design Manager, Category Manager, and Head of Footwear on agreed briefs.
• Define key specs to support range hierarchy and address pricing challenges.
• Ensure branded artwork accuracy by coordinating with clothing and marketing teams.
• Apply seasonal colour palettes for footwear, ensuring cohesive range and apparel alignment.

• Collaborate with sourcing to develop materials, components, soles, lasts, and technologies from concept to handover.
• Produce accurate specs including sketches, sole details, material and colour briefs.
• Ensure outsole specs are fit for purpose with clear materials and technologies.
• Maintain accurate PLM data.
• Support last development briefs with Design Manager and technical team.
• Travel to China for range development with Asia offices and suppliers.
• Communicate with Asia teams, share updates, and hold Teams calls.
• Support JCM with fittings, extreme sizes, and sample management.

• Collaborate with Design, Category, and Footwear Heads on seasonal trend research via online sources, travel, store visits, competitor reviews, retailer meetings, and trend platforms.
• Attend country manager feedback sessions to assess prior season performance.
• Visit key trade shows and exhibitions for industry insights.
• Gain consumer understanding through store time and brand events.
• Join key customer sell-in meetings to gauge range reception and identify future opportunities.

• Represent the footwear team in milestone meetings, offering design insights and supporting range presentations across Strategy, Colour, CAD, Pricing, and Launch.
• Respond to feedback with commercial updates or identify new opportunities.
• Prepare all design materials and samples to ensure smooth meeting execution.
• Support seasonal range launches, presenting to international sales teams.
• Carry out ad hoc tasks as needed.

A full job description outlining all deliverables and requirements for the above can be found attached to the advert on our careers page.

• In depth knowledge of outdoor sports or leisure footwear markets / brands in the UK and across Europe.
• Confident effective communicator.
• Strong creative flair with an ability to visualise ideas, be it drawing, sketching or using a tablet.
• A commercial understanding of designing to target price.
• Willing to undertake regular UK, European and Far East travel.
• Comprehensive understanding of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Experience of 3D design packages an advantage.
• Good understanding of general software, such as PowerPoint, Word, Excel and Acrobat.

• Profit Share Bonus:
  Enjoy a discretionary bonus based on the company's success.
• Future-Proof Pension:
  Secure your retirement with our comprehensive pension plan.
• Annual Leave: 25 days starting annual leave entitlement.
• Loyalty Rewards:
  Earn an extra day off for every 3 years of service, up to 2 additional days.
• Buy More Leave:
  Buy up to an additional 3 days of annual leave every year.
• Exclusive Discounts:
  Get special discounts across all our brands.
• Perks at Your Fingertips:
  Access a variety of benefits through our company website.
• Family Support:
  Benefit from enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Adoption leave after 2 years of service.
• Celebrate You:
  Take advantage of birthday hours to celebrate your special day.
• Wellness Walks:
  Join company walks to stay active and connect with colleagues.
• Inspiring Workspace:
  Work in a state-of-the-art Head Office environment.
• Volunteer Day:
  Enjoy a paid day off to give back to your community.
• Hassle-Free Parking:
  Free, secure on-site parking for all employees.
• Delicious Dining:
  Enjoy meals at our subsidized canteen, featuring Starbucks coffee.
• Cycle to Work:
  Save on travel with our cycle-to-work scheme.
• Fitness Perks:
  Access discounted gym memberships at various locations.
• Convenient Facilities:
  Freshen up with our on-site shower facilities, complete with hairdryers and straighteners.

The Regatta Group supplies quality outdoor clothing and accessories through our 3 great brands - Regatta, Craghoppers and Dare2b - whether exploring the Amazon rainforest, walking your dog in the local park or cycling the Tour de France, we have what you need.

It’s a friendly, supportive family business - a place where bakers, dog walkers, book worms, students, parents, travellers, movie buffs, foodies, festival goers, musicians and more come together to create experiences our…