Footwear Designer

Company Description

We're YY Nation. A bunch of Kiwis (New Zealanders that is) that set out to make the most sustainable footwear on earth...and then, to keep going.

Now we've got a thing called Kiwi ingenuity. That means we're pretty resourceful. Like turning a bunch of cactus plants or pineapple husks into a pair of shoes resourceful. And we're always asking questions, like: why does everything have to be made from plastic? Why can't we turn to nature instead? These are the questions no one wants to ask-but we're here to answer.

Our shoes are made from nature, like legit. Natural materials are our key solution to making shoes that are better for the planet. For context, the majority of the shoe industry makes their shoes from plastic and we think that's not good enough, they just don't go away.

YY Nation was founded in 2019, on a beach in Maui seeing the impacts of plastic on our natural environment. Our primary market is USA and we have set our sights to be a key global player capturing the imagination of people by innovating footwear design, and reinventing what and how shoes are made.

Role Description

This is a full-time hybrid role for a Footwear Designer, that can be located in Wellington New Zealand, but possible US based, with some flexibility to work from home. As a Footwear Designer at YY Nation, you will be responsible for creating and developing new sustainable footwear designs and collections for our customers. You will research emerging trends, technology and strive to create innovative designs that are functional, stylish, and sustainable. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that the designs align with company goals and brand requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Industrial Design, Fashion Design, or a related field
• 3-5 years of experience as a Footwear Designer in a similar role
• Excellent design skills, with a strong portfolio of work
• Strong understanding of materials and manufacturing processes used in footwear
• Proficiency in design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Rhino, 3D Printing.)
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Experience with footwear sustainability is a plus
• Understanding the process in manufacturing and/or engineering of footwear is a benefit

If you meet these qualifications and are passionate about footwear design, a sustainable future, we'd love to hear from you!