Reporting to our Head of Product Development your role will be to define and manage the process of specification of materials to deliver quality products required by the business which will excite our loyal and new consumers and continue to differentiate FitFlop as a brand, while optimizing price, profitability and supply. You’ll build strong relationships between our Asia and UK development teams, working closely with our Design Managers and our Asia Development team.

The Responsibilities:

• Keep ahead of industry changes, market intelligence, fashion trends, new resources for current and future seasons in partnership with design
• Work with management to identify supply needs
• Recommend solutions to existing processes to reduce waste and increase quantity
• Record and assess all materials quality, movement, and expenditure
• Collaborate with management to plan materials strategy
• Oversee and support in all areas of material selection process
• Build strong relationships between Asia and UK material and development teams, resolve any quality and shipment issues
• Liaise with internal and external parties to ensure product is on track and quality is up to FitFlop standards
• Maintain accurate tracking charts for product development lead time, price, and XF dates
• Maintain current supplier relationships and negotiate costs
• Support the current portfolio of tanneries and materials suppliers that can develop and supply a range of leathers and materials as required by the FitFlop brand
• Maintain materials library including material files and swatches appropriately
• Support the brand as we expand our sourcing strategies to support materials in these different locations
• Coordinate the colour management across all materials and components

The Person:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of experience and training that provides required knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Detailed knowledge of existing and potential leather/material suppliers
• Experience with PLM systems
• Footwear and shoemaking – constructions, materials, cost components, etc.
• Understanding of current footwear market trends

• MS Office proficiency with advanced Excel

• Full understanding of product costing process

• Understanding of planning a product range and the role of cost within the margin calculation

• Challenge and continuously seek improvement in quality, cost and accuracy of delivery of materials

• Instinctive recognition of effect of materials to good and bad aesthetic appeal, fit, quality and price of a shoe to its target consumer

• Experience working with people from different countries (in sources or sales territories)
• Demonstrated ability to conceive/create new thinking and ideas pertaining to the product and process
• Ability to create consensus and work collaboratively with a team
• Effective presentation skills and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to travel when required during the development season
• Strong organisation and project management skills and able to work to deadlines

The Benefits:

👟 Product Allowance (2 free pairs shoes a year and 50% off 20 pairs)

⏰ Hybrid and flexible working hours

☀️ Summer Fridays (6 ½ days in July and August on Fridays)

🌴 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays

🗺️ Work from anywhere for 2 weeks

🚼️ WorkPlace Nursery (salary sacrifice scheme to save money on your nursery fees)

💆‍♀️ Wellbeing Program – Retail Trust, Sanctus Coaching and Calm App

📚 Career development allowance ( Personal allowance to use on career development)

🏥 Private health care and or dental care (provided by AXA and DenPlan

🤩 Socials organised by Wellbeing and FeelGood group

➡️ Check out our careers page to learn more!