Footwear Technologist

at  Kurt Geiger

KURT GEIGER | ABOUT US

We are an inclusive, creative footwear and accessories brand powered by kindness. We want to empower our talent to be confident and true to themselves, the London way. London is our home, our heartbeat, and we draw inspiration from the energy and spirit of the city; its diversity and creativity. For over fifty years our team of in-house shoe and accessory designers have been creating authentic, distinctive designs from our London headquarters. The rainbow is our signature. It represents the good energy and love we have for our community and the many ways we collectively express our individual style.
We Are One: For Love | For Diversity | For Change | For Equality | For Kindness For Freedom | For Unity Against Racism
We are looking for an experienced Footwear Technologist, ideally with a background in manufacturing and sourcing of premium women’s footwear and leather goods. A thorough knowledge of footwear development and manufacturing. Has a good awareness of market trends to ensure that the footwear is functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.

Main Duties

• Support the Sourcing Team by maintaining data regarding supplier quality issues and ensuring that records are maintained and updated
• Facilitating raw material and sample testing and communicating the results to internal stakeholders
• Help to collate the data on leather sourcing and volumes to provide the Leather Working Group
• Becoming familiar with compliance and regulations to ensure that the necessary processes and documentation is followed and in order and records are kept
• Accessing the internal order tracking system to advise on Head of Sourcing on shipment schedules, so the resources in Asia can be applied to the right factories
• Follow up with the distribution centres in the UK, Europe and the US to ensure that any sample to illustrate issues are being sent to HQ and the suppliers
• Support cost negotiations & work closely with brand partners to ensure prices and margins are achieved
• Work proactively with the UK team and Asia Supply Chain team to take appropriate action on production schedules and material approvals
• Send samples off for testing and following up on quality related issues
• Build cross-functional team relationships to confidently communicate information regarding supply chain related issues
• Assist and support the team with day-to-day duties

REQUIREMENTS

• Carry out regular store visits to report on quality standards
• Product data input on the required systems
• Complete seasonal product reports for senior leadership meetings
• Support other departments when cover is needed
• Where necessary go on trips with the Buyer and/or Designer to suppliers around the world
• Liaise with DC QC team to ensure that products are inspected appropriately
• Investigate quality issues, find solutions and report findings to the QA Technical manager
• Ensure emerging issues are resolved quickly and effectively
• Ensuring traceability of confirmation samples into the warehouse is maintained, and that you have an oversight of the DC inspection process
• Ensure all damaged goods, manufacturing faults, transit damages are processed in an appropriate manner and that all costs are recharged to responsible parties through correct process
• Ensure international compliance documentation is accessible in the central system to prevent shipping delays

SKILLS

• Technically trained in footwear fitting and grading
• Previous experience in footwear production or sourcing
• Can work to tight deadlines
• A strong and effective communicator
• Has experience in women’s premium fashion footwear
• Inquisitive and confident - enjoys researching and summarising information on ad-hoc projects
• Project management skills - the ability to manage multiple areas of work and ensure deadlines are met and work is delivered to a high standard
• Attention to detail and accuracy essential- the ability to research, understand and relay information on legislation and advise actions as required to the relevant stakeholders
• Has a good understanding of leather
• Has Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint Skills

• Support the Sourcing Team by maintaining data regarding supplier quality issues and ensuring that records are maintained and updated
• Facilitating raw material and sample testing and communicating the results to internal stakeholders
• Help to collate the data on leather sourcing and volumes to provide the Leather Working Group
• Becoming familiar with compliance and regulations to ensure that the necessary processes and documentation is followed and in order and records are kept
• Accessing the internal order tracking system to advise on Head of Sourcing on shipment schedules, so the resources in Asia can be applied to the right factories
• Follow up with the distribution centres in the UK, Europe and the US to ensure that any sample to illustrate issues are being sent to HQ and the suppliers
• Support cost negotiations & work closely with brand partners to ensure prices and margins are achieved
• Work proactively with the UK team and Asia Supply Chain team to take appropriate action on production schedules and material approvals
• Send samples off for testing and following up on quality related issues
• Build cross-functional team relationships to confidently communicate information regarding supply chain related issues
• Assist and support the team with day-to-day dutie