Design Specialist: Footwear

Our Trend & Design team is on the lookout for a Footwear Design Specialist! In this role, you’ll be responsible for researching and interpreting trends to create stylish, on-point footwear designs that align with our customers’ needs. You’ll work closely with the team to ensure that every piece offers the perfect balance of price and value. If you’re passionate about shoes and love staying ahead of the latest footwear trends, we’d love to have you join us!

Key Responsibilities:

• Trend research – Interpreting relevant trends for specific department (including seasonal themes, colour, print direction, key looks and key items)
• Collaborate with Buyers to provide input into Range Builds
• Translate the trend seasonal direction into customer appropriate fashion ensuring that key stakeholders in the business have a clear understanding of how to apply the trend to their portfolios
• Collaborate with Buyers on product development
• Draw up product CADS and Tech Packs
• Briefing graphic designers
• Interpret trend and design and SBU strategy into operational plans
• Deliver operational plans and processes aligned to strategy
• Continuously keep abreast of updates to these trends through understanding our customer sales
• Ensure effective cross-functional collaboration and alignment with Buying and Product Technology departments for effective execution of Company strategy
• Continuously flag in-season international retail shifts keeping latest Ackermans sales and customer preferences top of mind, highlighting new test and category opportunities.

Skills required:

• Global trends collected, researched and filtered in line with the Ackermans brand positioning (seasonally, monthly and continually).
• Awareness of global, local and holistic trends ensured.
• Good strategic, conceptual skills and a solid knowledge of South African retail landscape
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite
• Strong eye for fashion and detail with the ability to predict, analyse & monetize future retail and fashion trends for local customer
• The ability to research and provide mood, colour, print and silhouette direction, drawing from many sources of influence including runway, street, retail, culture, art, social media and trend services.
• Appropriate trends, items, colour, styling, materials and patterns proposed and prepared in an exciting, understandable and appropriate format.
• The above presented and work-shopped with buying teams in a style that is credible, convincing and persuasive.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills
• All communication demonstrated in an in-depth trend knowledge coupled with a business understanding.
• Strong relationship building and influencing skills
• Excellent time management, organizational and administrative skills and presentation skills
• High energy level and is performance-driven and deadline-orientated
• Creative with an eye for detail, analytical and systematic, passionate about fashion
• Flexible, function under pressure and maintain a positive attitude and work
• Multi-task and to deal with complexities, use initiative to solve problems
• Work independently, as well as be a team player, strong interpersonal skills

Knowledge of:

• The retail merchandise cycle with regards to buying
• Technical knowledge / product construction of Footwear
• The knowledge on how to stay abreast of emerging macro trends, micro trends and cultural phenomenon and consistently communicate these trends to all levels, both within as well as outside the Company

Essential:

• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in footwear design

Qualifications:

• A Grade 12 Certificate/Matric
• Relevant Degree (e.g. Fashion Design) or Diploma