Technical Director of Footwear

  • Michael Kors
  • 21 Warren St, New York, NY 10007
  • Full-Time

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Position Overview:

Michael Kors is looking for a Technical Director of Footwear.

Major Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

* Support Design in reviewing concepts in order to identify and provide commercially viable solutions for feasibility and execution challenges
* Work with Design on pattern corrections considering fitting and comfort
* Orchestrate to execute technical solutions with internal and external (factories) stake holders
* Make recommendations on sample allocations based on factory's technical capabilities
* Drive pattern, last and construction adjustments with factories in order to achieve design intent
* Be able to tactfully influence Design, Merchandising and Production teams on alternative solutions when there are technically challenging situations
* Be able to leverage and direct our factories' technical staff and resources to get the job done and ensure the MK timelines are met
* Accountable for proper execution of the all samples : proto, market and fit samples
* Review and authorize appropriate compound needed for heels, platforms and outsoles
* Ensure MK fit standard is strictly followed by auditing the last and standards
* Enforce and maintain the proper insole composition for each type of footwear
* Lead and supervise construction review on all placed new styles
* Responsible to review and approve fit for production
* Travel approx. 4 times a year for production fit approval
* Responsible for assessing comfort of the shoes
* Derive cost savings solutions related to the constructions and technical solutions
* Partner and collaborate with NY and DG teams throughout the development and production
* Support the decisions on which styles to wear test / lab test and partner with QA team to alert of potential challenges


* 15+ years of experience in Technical area of footwear
* Cross functional interpersonal skills to bridge Design / Production / Factories to ensure the optimal outcome
* Deep technical knowledge of fitting and shoe making (pattern, last, components, etc)
* Knowledge of material and its effect on execution
* Effective communication
* Organization skills
* Capability to work efficiently in managing high volume
* Fluency in English
* Chines / Italian language is a +


