Footwear Technologist at Cape Union Mart

Job Description

• We’re looking for a skilled Footwear Technologist who can bring our footwear ranges to life — from first sketch to final step.
• You’ll be the go-to expert making sure our kicks look good, feel great, and stand up to adventure.

What you will do :

• Collaborate and advise on product development
• Store visits
• Technical specification packages (i.e. size specifications) are documented on PLM for suppliers to use in creating products to be developed for bulk production.
• Conduct fit sessions, wearer trails, and material compliance to perfect the product.
• Do approvals and or rejects for prototypes, pre – production and bulk production
• Provide information for the development of technical footwear manuals
• Troubleshoot production and QC related issues and ensure the approval process adheres to the critical path.
• Ad Hoc Footwear related responsibilities
• Work hand-in-hand with designers and merch teams to develop footwear that’s on-brand and on-trend.
• Ensure every pair meets our high standards for comfort, durability, and quality.
• Collaborate with suppliers and factories to make sure specifications are spot-on and compliance is met.
• Keep an eye on new materials, trends, and tech to keep us ahead of the game.

What You’ll Bring

• In-depth knowledge of patterns, LASTs, outsole moulds and fitting
• Exposure to in-house systems (e.g. Product Life Cycle Management (PLM))
• Experience as a Footwear Technologist or in a similar technical footwear role.
• In-depth knowledge of footwear construction, materials, and manufacturing.
• Sharp problem-solving skills and an eye for detail.
• Strong communication skills to work across teams and with suppliers.
• A passion for creating footwear people love to wear.