Description
As a Footwear Designer at NEXT, you will bring a fresh, commercial vision to our footwear collections, taking ownership of driving product innovation across Russell & Bromley Mens & Womens Footwear & Ted Baker Womens Footwear.
Your primary mission is to capture emerging global trends and translate them into versatile, trend-led, and wearable footwear ranges that deliver exceptional value and style to our customer.
In this role, you will make a direct impact on seasonal collections by bridging high-level design concepts with commercial execution. You will collaborate closely with a passionate cross-functional team, including Buyers, Merchandisers, Garment & Footwear Technologists, and overseas sourcing partners to bring cohesive collections from initial concept to the high street.
Responsibilities
- Design dynamic footwear collections: conceptualise and develop commercial, trend-driven footwear ranges across varied categories (including boots, shoes, sandals, and casual styles).
- Gather global inspiration: undertake inspirational travel and market research to identify global footwear trends, innovative materials, trims, and construction techniques.
- Drive technical execution: create precise, factory-ready CADs, colour CAD layouts, and detailed technical specification packs for international manufacturers and suppliers.
- Refine construction & fit: partner closely with footwear technologists and suppliers during sample reviews and fit sessions to ensure superior comfort, durability, and silhouette precision.
- Design to cost: work creatively within designated price point frameworks to maximise product design value without compromising on style, material quality, or structural integrity.
- Collaborate cross-functionally: work hand-in-hand daily with buying, merchandising, and external manufacturing partners to deliver cohesive, on-trend ranges to market on time.
Requirements
- Footwear design expertise: proven experience designing footwear within a fast-paced fashion retail, brand, or supplier environment, with a strong understanding of lasting, soles, materials, and shoe construction.
- Advanced technical proficiency: expert-level skills in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, with a track record of producing accurate technical spec packs, outsole drawings, and detailed material briefs.
- Commercial trend eye: a sharp natural taste level and strong commercial instinct, with the ability to spot trends early and translate them into high-volume, commercially successful products.
- Vendor & factory experience: practical experience working alongside overseas factories, material suppliers, and sourcing partners to develop prototypes and solve production challenges.
- Collaborative spirit: outstanding communication and team-working skills, with the organisation and agility needed to thrive in a fast-paced design calendar.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Profit-related bonus - based on company performance
- Management share options
- Company car or car allowance
- Private medical insurance
- Sharesave scheme - make savings from your net pay to buy NEXT shares at a discount
- Pension - fixed contribution rates from both an employer and employee perspective, but you're also able to make additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) if you wish to save more.
- Life assurance
- Group income protection
- Wagestream - helping you make the most out of your money
- Salary finance - offers access to affordable loans repaid through salary, simple savings and free financial education.
- 25% staff discount on most NEXT products - plus discount on other products
- Direct to work - NEXT orders delivered free to the office for collection
- VIP sale - early access to the NEXT sale
- Access to NEXT staff shops
- Octopus energy - like cycle-to-work, but for electric vehicles
- Free parking (excluding London locations)
- Travel2NEXT - bus services dependent on location
- On-site dining facilities (excluding London locations)
- National and local discounts on goods and services - this includes things like discounted cinema tickets
- Wellhub - includes access to discounted gym membership
- Simply health - a healthcare subscription service
- Aviva Digicare Workplace+ healthcare service - 7 Free services including Digital GP appointments and an annual health check.
- Onsite GP - Leicester Head Office
- Onsite Physio - Leicester Head Office
- A range of dedicated 3rd party wellbeing partners
- Free eye testing - voucher to use at specific locations