Head of Shoes Product Development

About LOEWE

Created in Spain in 1846, LOEWE approaches 180 years as one of the world’s major luxury houses. Now under the Creative Direction of Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the brand presents itself to the world as a house focused on craft and culture, evidenced through an intellectual yet playful approach to fashion, bold and vibrant Spanish lifestyle, and unmatched expertise with leather.

LOEWE has a rich legacy of craftsmanship dating back to its beginnings as a collective workshop and has long valued artisanal techniques in its approach to design and manufacture. These core values are reflected in the brand’s belief in the importance of craft in today’s culture, its modern interpretations of historical artistic achievements and its commitment to supporting contemporary art, craft and culture around the world.

At LOEWE, we value the uniqueness of our clients and our teams, whoever and wherever they are. We are committed to a culture that welcomes all genders, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and abilities, including people with disabilities of all types. Our aim is for everyone to feel valued, included and empowered to contribute their best.

Role: Head of Shoes Product Development

Reports to: Product Development Director

Location: Fiesso D’Artico (ITALY)

Contract type: Permanent contract

The Role

As the Head of Shoes Product Development, you will lead the development of all footwear collections and collaborations for Loewe. This pivotal role requires a strategic leader with exceptional delegation and oversight skills, ensuring timely and high-quality product delivery. You will drive operational efficiency, foster a collaborative environment, and prioritize team development within your department.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor and develop the shoes product development team, delegating tasks effectively and empowering team members through expert guidance.
• Define clear roles and responsibilities within the team to foster accountability, professional growth, and job satisfaction.
• Oversee the successful launch of prototypes and samples to factories, ensuring all aspects, including raw material procurement, remain on schedule.
• Actively participate in pre‑buy activities with production and retail merchandising.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Communication

• Serve as the central communication hub, coordinating closely with Design and Merchandising teams in Paris, and collaborating daily with Product Development and Industrialization technicians.
• Ensure cross‑functional alignment through regular communication with global teams and internal stakeholders (Design, Merchandising, Industrialization) to achieve a unified vision for each collection.
• Collaborate closely with the Costing team to facilitate efficient and timely pre‑costing and costing activities.
• Provide clear technical product briefs to the Merchandising team before each buying session.

Process Optimization & Quality Assurance

• Uphold the highest standards of quality, craftsmanship, and technical superiority in all footwear products.
• Implement robust and scalable processes within the product development lifecycle.
• Actively manage seasonal calendars and critical‑path timelines, addressing bottlenecks and risks proactively to ensure on‑time delivery of samples for fittings and showrooms.
• Ensure excellence in PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) and BOMs (Bills of Material) creation and management.
• In collaboration with Merchandising and Industrialization, conduct technical reviews of prototypes, identifying issues, validating functionality, and proposing improvements.

Supplier & Material Management

• Liaise with external suppliers, manufacturers, and ateliers to coordinate sample development, resolve quality issues, and manage delivery schedules.
• Foster strong vendor relationships to support innovation and efficiency.
• Partner with material sourcing to identify, develop, and validate components, trims, and manufacturing solutions, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and brand standards.
• Manage material orders for showroom and runway samples.
• Oversee raw material research in partnership with the material manager and coordinate follow‑up with external material partners.

Budget Management

• Closely monitor project timelines and budgets, ensuring all development activities align with the merchandising brief and company objectives.
• Compile development reports, cost overviews, and presentation materials for review meetings and senior leadership.

Candidate

• Bachelor’s degree with a strong understanding of the shoes product development process.
• Minimum of eight years of experience in shoes product development, with direct experience in luxury brand dynamics and standards.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and developing a team, demonstrating exceptional delegation and comprehensive oversight skills.
• Strong ability to implement robust processes and define clear roles and responsibilities within a team to maximize efficiency.
• Demonstrated capability to significantly improve cross‑functional communication and collaboration, establishing and maintaining effective information flows.
• Computer literate with excellent proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel.
• Mastery of PLM system tools, with the ability to drive and implement changes for enhanced efficiency within the shoes category.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills, with outstanding precision and accuracy.
• Exceptional time management skills, capable of working on tight deadlines and reprioritizing activities autonomously and with manager input.
• Ability to work under pressure on multiple tasks while delivering high‑quality results.
• Proactive and problem‑solving attitude.
• Natural team player.
• Proficiency in written and spoken Italian, with very good knowledge of written and spoken English (official language for meetings).
• Ability to travel frequently as required by the business.

Encouraging diversity in all its forms, LOEWE is committed to the employment of people with disabilities.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to create and foster an inclusive environment for all.

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