Product Development Design Specialist - Footwear

As a family company, we serve people and communities. When you work at Meijer, you're provided with career and community opportunities centered around leadership, personal growth and development. Consider joining our family - take care of your career and your community!

Meijer Rewards

• Weekly pay

• Scheduling flexibility

• Paid parental leave

• Paid education assistance

• Team member discount

• Development programs for advancement and career growth

Please review the job profile below and apply today!

The Product Development & Design Specialist is responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of company-owned, exclusive footwear brands. This role partners with Design, Sourcing, and Marketing to deliver proprietary, high-margin product that differentiates the company in the marketplace.

Position will follow a hybrid schedule: Monday-Wednesday in Grand Rapids MI office, Thursday-Friday remote.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Brand Positioning: Lead product development and design for footwear for Meijer proprietary private label brands. Ensure product and brand aesthetic align with the established brand position and apparel strategy. Drive a cohesive brand vision by delivering assortments that meet strategy, price points, and overall creative direction.
• Product Development & Lifecycle Management: Drive the design, sourcing, and development of new exclusive footwear styles from concept through production. Create and maintain PLM packages and assortment line sheets. Develop Illustrator sketches (flats) and communicate construction details to vendors and sourcing partners.
• Market & Trend Analysis: Analize market trends, customer preferences, and competitor offerings to identify growth opportunities and new product concepts. Prepare seasonal presentation boards for milestone meetings.
• Vendor Management & Sourcing: Negotiate with manufacturers on cost, quality, and production timelines to deliver competitive, high-margin product.
• Communication & Organization: Lead timely communication with cross-functional partners to ensure alignment and on-time execution.
• This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities; additional duties may be assigned as business needs require.

What You Bring with You (Qualifications):

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion, Art, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).

Experience:

• 5 to 7 years of experience in footwear product development and/or design .

Functional/Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Proficiency Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Analytical Ability: Demonstrated ability to analyze sales data, forecast demand, and conduct competitive analyses. Ability to evaluate, interpret, and apply market and trend insights.
• Soft Skills: Strong attention to detail, negotiation skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (e.g., Buying, Sourcing, Marketing, Quality Assurance, Compliance).
• Technical Skills: Basic knowledge of footwear design and construction. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organizational skills.