Footwear Specialist

We are seeking an experienced Footwear Specialist to join our team at Kurt Geiger. This role is ideal for a skilled professional with a background in manufacturing and sourcing of premium women's footwear and leather goods.

The successful candidate will have a thorough knowledge of footwear development and manufacturing, as well as a good awareness of market trends to ensure that the footwear is functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.

Main Responsibilities

• Support the Sourcing Team by maintaining data regarding supplier quality issues and ensuring that records are maintained and updated.
• Facilitate raw material and sample testing and communicate the results to internal stakeholders.
• Help to collate data on leather sourcing and volumes to provide the Leather Working Group.
• Become familiar with compliance and regulations to ensure that necessary processes and documentation is followed and in order, and records are kept.
• Access the internal order tracking system to advise on Head of Sourcing on shipment schedules, so resources in Asia can be applied to the right factories.
• Follow up with distribution centres in the UK, Europe, and the US to ensure that any sample to illustrate issues are being sent to HQ and 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 follow 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 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.
• Ensure 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.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a leading luxury fashion brand, with a competitive salary of £45,000-£55,000 per annum, depending on experience, and a comprehensive benefits package including pension and life assurance.