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

• 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.

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

• 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.

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

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

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

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

Required Skills & Knowledge

• 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.

• 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.