Role: Footwear Designer

Salary: From £45,000 per annum
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 – 17:00 (37.5 hours)
Location: Stonehouse, GL10 3EZ (Hybrid – 1-2 days per week in the office)

At Gardiner Bros, we believe how we treat people matters. Starting as a small family run business in 1860, we’ve grown into a multi-million-pound partner to over 80 global brands, including Skechers, Crocs, Hush Puppies, Muck Boots along with our own brands Amblers Safety and Cotswold. We are also proud to distribute to some of the UK's Largest Online, Highstreet, and Outdoor retailers – Next, John Lewis, Screwfix, Mole Valley, Cotswold Outdoors, Freemans, JD Williams, Very, and Littlewoods to name a few.

What will the Footwear Designer role entail?

• Take ideas from initial concept through to approved samples, to create footwear that is relevant to consumers, aligned with brand direction and capable of driving growth.
• Working closely with our brand development managers, merchandisers, footwear technician and international factory partners, you’ll have the opportunity to influence collections across the full design and development process.
• Creating concepts, CADs, colour palettes, product briefs and development packs.
• Translating trends, consumer insight and commercial requirements into compelling footwear ranges.
• Keeping up to date with footwear trends, competitors, materials and product innovation.
• Working with factories and suppliers to develop products and resolve design or development challenges.
• Reviewing samples and providing feedback on materials, construction, fit, functionality and overall product quality.
• Presenting seasonal trends, collections and product stories to internal teams, customers and key stakeholders.
• Attending product reviews, supplier meetings, trade shows and customer appointments when required.
• Collaborating with different departments across the business to delivery successful collections.