We're Hiring!

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Technical and Sourcing Manager with strong footwear technical expertise to support the full product lifecycle from development through to production. This role is responsible for managing technical and fit requirements, product sourcing, quality control and the critical path to ensure products meet customer requirements, legal standards, and production deadlines.

The successful candidate will work closely with internal teams, customers, and factories to deliver high-quality footwear products while maintaining strong technical standards and efficient critical path management.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clear, accurate, and concise technical and fit comments throughout the full product lifecycle, from development to final production. 
• Lead and manage fit sessions using fit models and prosthetic feet to ensure product fit and performance standards are achieved. 
• Support international sourcing activities across the world which will include overseas travel.
• Oversee quality control processes within factories to maintain product standards and consistency.
• Manage any quality control concerns, faulty issues, and corrective actions as they arise.
• Confirm product testing requirements in line with legal and customer standards.
• Plan and manage factory audits and capacity, ensuring compliance with company and customer requirements.
• Manage customer compliance and factory requirements as needed, including but not limited to ZDHC, Worldly, LWG and GRS.
• Support the wider Commercial team with critical path management to ensure all key deadlines and customer milestones are met.
• Supervise the Assistant Technologist and Product Admin Assistants in the Commercial team.

Skills & Experience Required

• Previous experience as a Footwear Technologist is essential. 
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and resolve issues efficiently. 
• Highly organised with excellent time management and prioritisation skills. 
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365. 
• Fast learner with the ability to quickly understand and adapt to new systems and processes. 
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across teams, customers, and factories. 

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and solution-focused.
• Commercially aware with a practical approach.
• Confident managing multiple priorities.
• Team player with a collaborative working style. 

Job Title: Footwear Designer & Developer
Location: Farnham, Surrey : Hybrid 3:2
Department: Design & Product Development
Reports To: Design Director 

Salary: DOE

Lawrence Warren Footwear Ltd are a full-service footwear design and manufacturing agency partnering with global brands and retailers to bring innovative, commercially successful seasonal footwear and gifting to market. From concept to commercialisation, we combine trend insight, material innovation, sourcing, and technical expertise to deliver best-in-class products across casual lifestyle and fashion categories for men, women & children.

We are seeking an experienced Footwear Designer & Developer to lead the end-to-end creation of footwear collections—from concept and design through prototyping, development, and production handoff. This role requires a strong creative vision balanced with technical expertise, commercial awareness, and factory-facing development experience.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced agency environment, manages multiple client projects simultaneously, and brings a strong understanding of materials, construction, costing, and global manufacturing processes.

• Lead seasonal footwear concepts across multiple categories (casual, indoor, fashion).
• Translate client briefs and market research into compelling, innovative, and commercially viable designs.
• Develop mood boards, trend presentations, colour stories, and material direction.
• Create detailed sketches and technical drawings using industry-standard software.
• Confidently present concepts and collections to clients and internal stakeholders.

• Create and maintain comprehensive tech packs including materials, components, construction details, BOMs, and measurement specs.
• Collaborate with sample rooms to ensure design intent is maintained through prototyping.
• Oversee multiple rounds of sample reviews (technical & material validation).
• Troubleshoot design and construction issues during development.
• Work with technical team to ensure all designs meet performance, compliance, and quality standards.

• Communicate directly with international factories.
• Support sourcing of materials, trims, outsoles, and moulds.
• Collaborate to manage timelines and development calendars.
• Evaluate costing with Account Managers and recommend design adjustments to meet target margins.
• Participate in international factory & fabric sourcing trips when required.

• Lead client-facing communication on assigned projects.
• Manage multiple development calendars simultaneously and ensure deadlines are met.
• Mentor junior designer developers.
• Contribute to strategic discussions around product direction and innovation opportunities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Footwear Design, Industrial Design, Fashion Design, or related field.
• 6 + years of professional footwear design and development experience.
• Proven experience working directly with global manufacturing partners.
• Strong knowledge of footwear constructions (cemented, strobel, vulcanized, injection, etc.).
• Deep understanding of materials (leathers, textiles, synthetics, sole compounds etc).
• Experience with outsole/tooling development and mould creation.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite; 3D footwear software experience preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.

• Background in casual lifestyle footwear categories.
• Experience at a large retailer or in an agency/consultancy environment.
• Knowledge of sustainability practices and material innovation.
• Experience designing and developing footwear across all genders and age groups.

• Creative vision with strong commercial instinct
• Technical problem-solving
• Detail-oriented execution
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Client-facing professionalism
• Adaptability & ability to remain organised and efficient in a fast-paced environment

• Opportunity to work with major global retailers
• Creative, collaborative, and fast paced studio environment
• Exposure to full lifecycle product development
• Travel opportunities to factories and trade shows
• Hybrid working environment

If you are passionate about pushing footwear design forward while understanding the realities of development and manufacturing, we would love to hear from you.