Innovation Factory Chicago

AKIRA Footwear Product Developer

In 2002, AKIRA opened the doors to its first women's clothing boutique in Chicago. Since then, the company has extended its reach to 40+ stores across the United States, as well as a thriving eCommerce business (shopAKIRA.com.) AKIRA is extremely well-poised for sustained growth as we continue to build a nationally recognized brand.
AKIRA's culture has one very large, distinct difference from other high fashion competitors: Other-Worldly Customer Service and Fanatical, Obsessive Attention to the consumer's needs and desires. The core principle for all employees at AKIRA is to Act and Think Like an Owner, and this belief can be reflected across all areas of the company.

Build the Next It Shoe

At AKIRA, we're obsessed with creating fashion-forward footwear that turns heads. We move quickly, challenge convention, and bring runway-inspired ideas to market at incredible speed.

We're looking for an experienced Footwear and Handbags Product Developer who loves building product from design to shelf. You'll partner closely with Design, Merchandising, and our factory partners to develop trend-driven footwear that delivers exceptional design, quality, speed, and value.

If you're energized by beautiful product, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and enjoy solving development challenges, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

You'll own the product development process for footwear and handbags, ensuring every style delivers on design, quality, fit, functionality, cost, and speed to market.

Product Development

• Manage the complete development lifecycle for footwear and handbags from concept approval through final production sample.

• Partner closely with Design to bring seasonal collections to life while preserving creative intent.

• Create clear and detailed tech packs, BOMs, and development specifications for overseas factory partners.

• Drive development calendars and ensure all milestones are achieved on time.

• Lead prototype reviews, fit sessions, and sample evaluations.

• Recommend improvements in fit, construction, functionality, comfort, quality, and value engineering.

Materials & Innovation

• Source new materials, components, trims, and constructions that elevate the collection.

• Research emerging materials and manufacturing techniques to bring newness to every season.

• Maintain and continuously evolve our footwear material library.

Factory Partnership

• Communicate daily with overseas factories to resolve development issues quickly.

• Manage sample requests, revisions, costing, and production feasibility.

• Partner with vendors to achieve target costs while maintaining design integrity.

Cross Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Design, Merchandising, Production, Sales, and Planning throughout the product lifecycle.

• Ensure product information, specifications, and development status remain accurate within PLM.

• Provide seamless handoff to Production once purchase orders are placed.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of experience developing women's footwear, handbags, or fashion accessories.

• Strong knowledge of footwear construction, materials, components, and manufacturing.

• Experience working directly with overseas factories.

• Excellent understanding of fit, comfort, construction, and quality standards.

• Ability to balance trend, cost, speed, and execution.

• Highly organized with outstanding project management skills.

• Strong communication and problem-solving abilities.

• Adobe Creative Suite, Google Workspace, Microsoft Excel proficiency.

Benefits & Perks:
AKIRA offers competitive benefits for full-time employees, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet Insurance, Life, LTD, FSA/HSA/Dependent Care FSA, Flex Transit (CTA), 401(k), and a generous employee discount. We’re committed to internal growth, providing meaningful development and career advancement opportunities.

Job Type: Full-Time
We are committed to fair and transparent compensation practices. Compensation for this position will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors. Additional compensation and benefits may also apply and will be discussed during the hiring process.
We may utilize AI-assisted and automated tools as part of the recruiting and hiring process. All employment decisions are made in compliance with applicable laws and without discrimination.