Senior Footwear Designer (100%)

INUIKII is a dynamic international footwear brand known for combining distinctive design with comfort, quality, and functionality.

The Senior Footwear Designer is responsible for the creative development of seasonal footwear collections from initial concept through to final product together with CCO. The role combines strong creative vision, commercial understanding, footwear knowledge, and close collaboration with Product Development, Merchandising, and Production.

The Senior Footwear Designer ensures that each collection reflects the brand identity while remaining relevant, innovative, commercially viable, and technically executable.

Aufgaben

Collection & Design

• Develop seasonal footwear concepts in line with the brand’s creative direction and collection strategy.
• Translate trends, cultural influences, market insights, and brand DNA into relevant product concepts.
• Design new footwear styles while continuously evolving core and carry-over products.
• Create sketches, technical drawings, colorways, material combinations, and detailed design specifications.
• Develop seasonal color, material, sole, hardware, and detailing concepts.
• Ensure a strong balance between creativity, commerciality, innovation, and brand recognition.

Product Development

• Work closely with Product Development from first concept through prototype, sample development, and final confirmation.
• Review prototypes and samples and provide clear design corrections.
• Evaluate proportions, construction, materials, colors, comfort, and overall product appearance.
• Collaborate with factories and suppliers on new constructions, soles, materials, components, and techniques.
• Ensure design intent is maintained throughout the development process.
• Deliver designs and corrections according to the seasonal critical path.

Collection Management

• Collaborate with Merchandising and CCO to build a balanced and commercially relevant assortment.
• Understand the role of Core, Carry-Over, Commercial, Fashion, and Statement products within the collection.
• Consider target price, margin, market requirements, and production feasibility during the design process.
• Analyze previous-season performance and incorporate relevant learnings into future collections.
• Identify opportunities to develop new product families and strengthen successful existing ones.

Research & Innovation

• Continuously monitor footwear, fashion, lifestyle, consumer, and cultural trends.
• Research new materials, constructions, technologies, and manufacturing techniques.
• Maintain strong knowledge of competitors and the international footwear market.
• Proactively propose new concepts and product opportunities rather than relying solely on given briefs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with CCO, Product Development, Merchandising, Production, Marketing, and Sales.
• Present concepts and collections clearly during internal reviews.
• Communicate effectively with international factories, suppliers, and development partners.
• Support Sales and Marketing with relevant product knowledge and collection storytelling when required.

Qualifikation

• 6–8+ years of professional design experience, preferably within premium, contemporary, or fashion footwear.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating both creative and commercially successful footwear.
• Excellent understanding of footwear construction, materials, lasts, soles, components, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong sketching and technical drawing capabilities.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; experience with 3D footwear design tools is an advantage.
• Good understanding of costing, target pricing, and production feasibility.
• Strong knowledge of international footwear and fashion markets.
• Experience working directly with European and/or Asian footwear manufacturers is highly desirable.
• Fluent English; additional languages are an advantage.

Key Competencies

• Creative Vision — Creates distinctive products while protecting and evolving the brand DNA.
• Commercial Awareness — Understands that successful design must combine creativity with sell-through potential, pricing, and margin.
• Technical Expertise — Understands how footwear is constructed and can communicate effectively with developers and manufacturers.
• Ownership — Takes responsibility for designs from initial idea through final approved product.
• Speed & Organization — Works effectively within demanding seasonal timelines and manages multiple developments simultaneously.
• Collaboration — Works constructively across Design, Development, Merchandising, and Production.
• Attention to Detail — Maintains a high standard across proportions, materials, colors, construction, and finishing.

Benefits

• A diverse and dynamic role in a growing Swiss fashion brand
• Flat hierarchies and room to shape your area of responsibility
• A creative, international environment based in the heart of Zürich
• Employee discount on all INUIKII products

INUIKII is a dynamic, fast-growing international footwear brand entering its next phase of growth. As we scale, the strength of our footwear design becomes more critical than ever: product that captures our brand identity, translates cleanly into wearable, sellable collections, and holds up from concept sketch to finished shoe. We're building a leaner, more connected structure across design, product development, and production, and this role sits at the center of it. As Designer, you'll have real ownership from day one, close collaboration with our leadership team, and the chance to shape how a growing brand designs and evolves its collections as it matures.