Shoes Product Developer (Women's Footwear Luxury)

Shoes Product & Project Developer (High-Heeled Sandals & Leather Goods – Ultra Luxury)

Location: Italy

Our client is a leading company in the luxury goods industry. We are looking for an experienced Production Project Manager to oversee the development and production of ultra-luxury women’s footwear (particularly high-heeled sandals) and complementary leather goods .

Your Role

As the Footwear Production Project Manager , you will plan, coordinate, and supervise all stages of the manufacturing process. Working autonomously (no direct management), you will ensure the highest quality standards are met throughout production.

Main Responsibilities

1 - Research and consultations

• Find and consult manufacturers and suppliers compliant to develop and produce related goods.
• Compare costs, plannings and MOQs.
• Assign manufacturers and suppliers compliant to produce related goods.
• Negotiate commercial terms, MOQs, quality control criteria, organizational questions and timelines.

2 - Document flow

• Prepare contract drafts for signature.
• Prepare product quality documents.
• Handle invoices, delivery acts, purchase orders, certificates and all other documents related to the project.

3 - Product development

• Develop samples and prototypes. Submit for approval and rework per request.
• Prepare material libraries and select proper materials for production of related articles.
• Hold technical meetings with manufacturers to discuss prototypes and production process, choice of materials, techniques, etc.
• Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process. Read and understand 2D and 3D drawings.
• Test and verify prototypes against a predefined set of criteria throughout all stages of the manufacturing process. Revise the initial design concepts and implement technical improvements.

4 - Production management

• Do multistage production plannings.
• Follow and report on the project progress.
• Organize quality control.

5 - Post-production management

• Manage product lifecycle including after-production storage, shipping to the points of sales, post-sale reclamations

6 - Relationship management

• Manage and maintain excellent relationships with vendors. Even in difficult situations. Negotiate and find compromise.

Any other tasks related to the project.

• May include development and production of packaging and printed materials.

Required Skills & Knowledge

Essential Expertise

• Proven network and experience with ultra-luxury women’s footwear manufacturers in Italy (at least 5 years) specializing in high-heeled sandals .
• Deep understanding of the shoe design adaptation process , sampling, and prototyping.
• Fluency in Italian and English (bilingual level).

Exclusive, ultraluxury footwear for women developed, manufactured and commercialized in limited series. Other product categories: leather accessories.

Technical Knowledge

• Comprehensive understanding of footwear assembly processes, materials, and manufacturing technologies.
• Familiarity with the tools, machinery, chemicals, and finishing processes used in high-end footwear production.
• Strong knowledge of quality control standards , defect analysis, and laboratory testing procedures.
• Expertise in various materials : leather, synthetics, textiles, rubber, and plastics.
• Mastery of manual techniques such as cutting, stitching, and leather handling.
• Understanding of footwear components (uppers, linings, soles, heels, insoles, etc.).
• Awareness of sustainability and ecological concerns in material selection and manufacturing processes.

Professional requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of proven professional experience in development and manufacturing of the most luxurious feminine footwear.
• Experience of development of feminine footwear on high heels.
• Knowledge of techniques, technologies, development and production stages.
• Good expertise in materials, understanding suitability and characteristics of materials.
• Familiarity with material and prototype testing.
• Excellent knowledge of top Italian manufacturers and suppliers involved in high-end feminine footwear manufacturing.

Personal qualities of the ideal candidate :

• Autonomous, highly responsible, able to carry out the projects from design to product.
• Flexible and emotionally intelligent.
• Empathetic.
• Highly loyal.
• Very good self-organizational skills.
• Coherence and structure in project management.
• Diligent and willing to learn.