Associate Footwear Designer

REPORTS TO: FOOTWEAR DESIGNER

STATUS: NON-EXEMPT

Boot Barn is where community comes first. We thrive on togetherness, collaboration, and belonging. We build each other up, listen intently, and implement out-of-the-box ideas.  We celebrate new innovations, congratulate one another’s achievements, and most importantly support each other.

At Boot Barn, we work together to make a positive impact on the world around us, and by working collectively with encouragement, we consider ourselves “Partners.” With the values of the West guiding us, Boot Barn celebrates heritage, welcomes all, and values each unique Partner within our Boot Barn community.

Our vision is to offer everyone a piece of the American spirit – one handshake at a time. 

The Associate Designer supports design leadership by participating in seasonal design activities, creating tech packs, updating, maintaining, and archiving product development materials, and cataloging seasonal development documentation for Exclusive Brands Design team, across multiple brands. In addition, the Associate Designer communicates internally with product development teams and externally with domestic and overseas vendors while maintaining a clear follow-up to all product development hand offs and communication.

• →Assist in the design process for categories and brands as assigned and present design options for review within the timeframe established by the seasonal calendars
• →Assist brand and category leads with CAD’s, graphics, and pattern work as requested
• →Maintain and keep current footwear materials library with updated material catalogs seasonally
• →Ensure that tech packs are complete prior to milestone deadline with all necessary information before sending to factories, including: appropriate line art views, specific detail callouts as needed, style spec sheets, platform requirements, and sample references as needed.
• →Assist with the creation and management of Presentation Boards, Line Sheets and Tech packs, including sketch, colorways, construction details, and specification sheets.
• →Update/Edit all tech pack content as required for all assigned areas.
• →Maintain shared web folders of accessible image art, trim standards and tech packs
• →Partner with Director/senior designers to set up and update Work in Progress (WIP) spreadsheet
• →Ensure that all design, artwork, prints and fabrics for sourcing are sent in correct format with all correct information to suppliers
• →Track all requested prototype, fit, advertising, and confirmation samples, and update progress to category/brand designers weekly.
• →Follow most recent branding guidelines and corporate branding standards
• →Conduct new style fittings, and prepare evaluation documents noting both overall fit confirmation or concerns, and specific comfort issues
• →Take on ownership of individual projects while working on collaborative projects
• →Assist in designing into targeted price-points, categories, and silhouettes in accordance with margin requirements
• →Participate and prepare for PD process milestone meetings
• →Log and keep current all regulatory and material test results for new and existing models
• →Assist in reviewing all assortments to deliver consistent color, trend, and creative direction across targeted lifestyle to ensure premium brand positioning
• →Assist design leadership in seasonal concept and creation of commercially viable products
• →Assist design leadership with seasonal trend and color analysis
• →Review return goods with the sourcing teams identifying material or design flaws, and suggesting product improvements
• →Responsible for assisting lead design to develop a collection that is consistent with brand and collaborating with the Design Director to meet all margin targets.
• →Observing initial seasonal merchandising plan by delivery and reviewing with Design team to understand and support the needs of the business.
• →Assists create, publish, and maintain the Seasonal Line List to be provided to Exclusive Brands leadership
• →Partner with vendor, designer, and project management to ensure materials, design details, and footwear are within cost parameters while providing value to the seasonal line.
• →Demonstrates high level of quality work, attendance and appearance.
• →Demonstrates high degree of professionalism in communication, attitude and teamwork with customers, peers and management.
• →Adhere to all local, federal and state laws in addition to Company policies, procedures, and practices.
• →Performs any other duties that may be assigned by management.

• Strong communication, customer service, time management and organizational skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in industrial design or equivalent experience in footwear product development
• Minimum 2-4 years of experience in footwear design or related field
• Basic level of footwear construction knowledge preferred, with ability to read blueprints
• Computer Skill: included proficiency in Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign is essential.
• Must be extremely well organized, work well under pressure and be a strong problem solver
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, experience meeting multiple deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative to achieve departmental and corporate objectives.
• General knowledge of merchandising and critical product construction.
• Excellent presentation skills of both design and final presentation.
• Prior experience with web PLM / WebPDM a plus
• International travel required

• Customer Centric/Sales Driven – Assesses customer experience within the store and promotes a culture of customer engagement. Is attentive to customers and understands their needs, offers products that are aligned with the consumers’ expectations. Continually searches for ways to improve customer service.
• Ensure Effective Communication - Listens carefully and attentively to others' opinions and ideas. Communicates information clearly, concisely, and professionally.
• Establish Trust - Follows through on commitments. Is honest and direct with others. Promotes a culture of respect for, commitment to, and compliance with Company values, beliefs, and standards. Ensures the protection of confidential information.

In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by a Partner to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Standing, walking and squatting less than fifty percent of the work shift.
• Required to lift, move and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to read, count and write to accurately complete all documentation and reports.
• Must be able to see, hear and speak in order to communicate with partners and customers.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Manual dexterity required using hands to finger; handle, feel and type; reach with hands and arms.

[    ] Sedentary: Limited activity, no lifting, limited walking

[ X ] Light: Office work, some lifting, bending, stooping or kneeling, walking

[    ] Moderate: Mostly standing, walking, bending, frequent lifting

[    ] Arduous: Heavy lifting, bending, crawling, climbing

In general, the following conditions of the work environment are representative of those that a Partner encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job within the environment.

• The workspace is clean, orderly, properly lighted and ventilated with the proper safety compliance.
• Noise levels are considered moderate.

Boot Barn, Inc. reserves the right to make exceptions to modify or eliminate this document or its content.  This document supersedes all previous policies, procedures or guidelines pertaining to this subject.

Our core value of community bands us together in supportive and inclusive ways to drive our collective success. Boot Barn provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national or ethnic origin, veteran or military status, disability, as well as any other protected status under the law.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Boot Barn will provide reasonable accommodations (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with the application process upon your request as required by applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please visit your nearest Boot Barn Store or Distribution Center or reach out to Human Resources at 1-949-453-4400, Option 4.

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