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Director Footwear Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Dr. Comfort

Director of Footwear

Mequon, WI · On-site

$207K - $217K/yr

ABOUT THE ROLE We are seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Footwear to lead product ... Financial Ownership Manage development costs, margin targets, pricing to market, and SKU ...

E.S. Originals

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Footwear Designer

New York, NY · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

... Director to bring each season's vision to life -- from initial concept through final development ... Solid understanding of footwear construction, materials, and manufacturing processes * Strong ...

E.S. Originals

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Footwear Designer

Stamford, CT · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

... Director to bring each season's vision to life -- from initial concept through final development ... Solid understanding of footwear construction, materials, and manufacturing processes * Strong ...

E.S. Originals

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Footwear Designer

New York, NY · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

... Director to bring each season's vision to life -- from initial concept through final development ... Solid understanding of footwear construction, materials, and manufacturing processes * Strong ...

E.S. Originals

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Footwear Designer

Jersey City, NJ · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

... Director to bring each season's vision to life -- from initial concept through final development ... Solid understanding of footwear construction, materials, and manufacturing processes * Strong ...

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Director Footwear Development information

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$21K

$93.3K

$180K

How much do director footwear development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for director footwear development in the United States is $93,350.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Director of Footwear Development do?

A Director of Footwear Development oversees the entire process of creating new footwear products, from initial design concepts through to production and market launch. They collaborate with designers, engineers, and manufacturers to ensure that shoes meet quality, cost, and performance standards. This role also involves managing timelines, budgets, and cross-functional teams to bring innovative footwear to market efficiently. Directors of Footwear Development play a key strategic role in aligning product development with brand goals and consumer trends.

How does a Director of Footwear Development typically collaborate with design, marketing, and production teams?

A Director of Footwear Development plays a central role in bridging the gap between creative design, marketing strategy, and manufacturing feasibility. This role involves regular meetings with designers to ensure concepts are both innovative and manufacturable, close alignment with marketing to address consumer trends and brand needs, and continuous communication with production teams to resolve technical challenges and maintain timelines. Effective collaboration is key to launching successful footwear collections on schedule and within budget, often requiring strong project management and interpersonal skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Footwear Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Footwear Development, you need deep expertise in footwear design, materials science, product development, and a degree in industrial design or a related field. Proficiency with design software like Adobe Creative Suite, 3D modeling tools, and knowledge of PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems is typically required. Exceptional leadership, project management, and cross-functional communication skills help drive innovation and align teams. These skills ensure products meet market needs, maintain quality standards, and are delivered efficiently from concept to production.

What is the difference between Director Footwear Development vs Footwear Product Manager?

AspectDirector Footwear DevelopmentFootwear Product Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire footwear development process, manages teams, sets strategic goalsFocuses on product planning, market research, and coordinating product launches
CredentialsTypically requires extensive footwear design, engineering experience, and leadership skillsRequires product management experience, market knowledge, and design understanding
Work EnvironmentLeadership in design studios, R&D labs, and manufacturing settingsCross-functional teams, marketing, and sales departments

The main difference is that the Director Footwear Development leads the entire footwear creation process and team, focusing on strategic development, while the Footwear Product Manager concentrates on product planning, market analysis, and ensuring product success in the market.

More about Director Footwear Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Footwear Development jobs? Cities with the most Director Footwear Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Footwear Development jobs? The most popular types of Footwear Development jobs are:
What states have the most Director Footwear Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Footwear Development jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Director Footwear Development jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Director Footwear Development jobs are:
Director Footwear Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Footwear Development job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 92% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,350 per year, or $44.9 per hour.
Product Management Manager, Luxury Footwear

Product Management Manager, Luxury Footwear

Ralph Lauren (Corporate, Stores)

New York, NY • On-site

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Ralph Lauren rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 89 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 102 rated fashion retailers

Job description

COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands.
At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Product Management Manager, Luxury Footwear, is responsible for leading the end-to-end product lifecycle from concept through commercialization and bulk production. This role partners closely with Design, Development, Sourcing, Planning, and regional teams to deliver brand-right, commercially viable footwear collections that meet luxury standards for quality, craftsmanship, and performance.
The ideal candidate combines strategic product leadership with operational excellence-driving calendar discipline, data integrity, and vendor collaboration-while supporting both seasonal execution and long-term business objectives.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Lead the end-to-end product lifecycle from concept through commercialization and bulk production, ensuring timely, brand-right, and commercially viable delivery
  • Act as a key cross-functional partner to Design, Development, Sourcing, Planning, and regional teams, aligning product vision, financial targets, and execution against seasonal and long-term goals
  • Own seasonal product calendars and milestones, proactively identifying risks and driving resolution to maintain on-time sample and production readiness
  • Oversee sample and production coordination across proto, SMS, and SRS phases, including sales sample PO creation, factory handoff, and status tracking
  • Drive operational excellence and data governance within PLM systems, maintaining accurate product frameworks, BOMs, costing, and attributes
  • Partner with Sourcing and Development to support costing alignment, margin targets, and feasibility without compromising luxury quality standards
  • Support and coordinate seasonal material development, ensuring material readiness, organized libraries, and cross-functional alignment
  • Lead commercialization readiness by tracking master approvals, coordinating fit sessions, wear testing, and risk reviews, and ensuring smooth handoff to bulk production
  • Ensure all product meets brand standards for quality, fit, craftsmanship, and performance prior to production approval
  • Own accuracy and completeness of product data for e-commerce, digital, and retail channels, including attributes and HTS classifications
  • Manage key operational processes, including invoice processing and vendor coordination, while fostering strong factory and regional partnerships
  • Identify opportunities to improve processes, timelines, and systems in support of scalability and long-term product management excellence

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
  • Product management, product development, or merchandising experience within luxury footwear, accessories, or apparel
  • Proven experience managing end-to-end product execution in a fast-paced, seasonal environment
  • Strong understanding of footwear development, materials, construction, and factory processes
  • Demonstrated ability to balance creative vision with commercial, operational, and financial considerations
  • Advanced proficiency in PLM systems, product data management, and cross-functional workflow coordination
  • Experience partnering with global vendors and regional teams across development and production cycles
  • Exceptional organizational, project management, and communication skills with a high attention to detail
  • Confident decision-maker with the ability to anticipate risk, prioritize effectively, and manage multiple timelines
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to influence cross-functional partners without direct authority
  • Passion for luxury product, craftsmanship, and brand integrity

#LI-CE1
Ralph Lauren will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance laws. Please note background checks will be evaluated individually.

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About Ralph Lauren

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Ralph Lauren Corporation is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Industry

Apparel and accessories stores

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

Year founded

1967

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