Footwear Materials & Product Developer

This range is provided by Zachary Daniels. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Footwear Materials & Product Developer | North West | UK Based | Lifestyle & Performance Business

You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping an iconic, high-visibility footwear launch‑one that redefines innovation, pushes performance boundaries, and sets a new standard for the industry. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and bring groundbreaking ideas to life, we’d love to hear from you. This is for someone who blends creative ambition with deep technical expertise, pushing the boundaries of what footwear can be.

This role is at the heart of material innovation, product creation, and performance excellence, shaping the next generation of high‑profile, industry‑defining footwear, working very closely with a designer.

• Drive the sourcing and development of cutting‑edge materials that elevate product performance and unlock new design possibilities.
• Ensure every material meets our sustainability benchmarks.
• Champion the integration of sustainability and performance targets into all material decisions.
• Identify new opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and unlock enhanced product capabilities.
• Stay ahead of the curve: track industry movements, attend global trade shows, and explore emerging technologies.
• Translate findings into meaningful product innovations that launch the brand at the forefront of the footwear landscape.
• Evolve and maintain a material library and digital toolbox.
• Cultivate strategic supplier relationships and ensure agility for both long‑term development needs and short‑lead special projects.
• Oversee rigorous QA standards across all materials. Leverage expertise in yarns, polymers, and material structures to diagnose issues, guide improvements, and collaborate with suppliers and internal teams.
• Own the product lifecycle with your designer — from concept and prototyping to final production.
• Ensure every design is executed with precision while balancing creativity, functionality, and manufacturing feasibility.
• Work hand‑in‑hand with marketing, sales, and brand teams to ensure product direction aligns with consumer insights and brand vision.
• Provide deep expertise on performance, construction, and design to maximise product success.
• Lead comprehensive testing phases to guarantee each product delivers exceptional comfort, durability, and performance—while looking incredible.

• Footwear Obsession: A genuine passion for footwear and a strong understanding of materials, design, construction, and performance.
• Proven Experience: 4+ years in footwear product development or materials specialization, ideally within a performance‑driven or innovation‑focused environment.
• Creative & Strategic Vision: A future‑focused thinker with the ability to generate bold ideas, develop refined solutions, and lead design strategies that connect with the consumer.
• Precision & Craft: A meticulous eye for detail with an ability to think holistically across the full product creation journey.
• Collaborative Mindset: Strong communication skills and the ability to partner seamlessly across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Trust & Discretion: A high level of professionalism and confidentiality, given the exclusive nature of this project and upcoming product launch.

Entry level

Full‑time

Retail Apparel and Fashion