About Designer Brands
At Designer Brands, we are the proud parent company of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company, and Rubino, operating nearly 675 stores across North America and a billion-dollar digital commerce business. We lead the footwear industry with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands, including Topo Athletic, Keds, Vince Camuto, Kelly & Katie, Jessica Simpson, Lucky Brand, Mix No. 6, Crown Vintage, and others. With expertise in design, production, and sourcing, we create on-trend footwear and accessories, delivered through a robust omni-channel infrastructure and national wholesale distribution. At Designer Brands, we are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, where each employee’s unique perspective contributes to our success. Anchored by our core values of “We Love What We Do,” “We Own What We Do,” “We Do What’s Right,” and “We Belong,” we continuously drive forward together, building a future where everyone can put their best foot forward.
As a Product Development Coordinator, you’ll play a hands-on role in bringing footwear to life—from early concepts to finished product. You’ll work closely with Design, Merchandising, Production, and global partners to keep products moving forward, ensuring details are accurate, timelines stay on track, and the final result meets both quality and cost expectations.
This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys both the creative and operational sides of product development, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and wants visibility across the full product lifecycle.
What You’ll Be DoingProduct Development & Execution- Create accurate pre-pricing and pre-confirmation specifications each season based on finalized assortments
- Review confirmation samples (images and physical samples) against standards, ensuring accuracy in materials, components, construction, and workmanship
- Share approvals and detailed feedback with overseas partners to support timely and accurate development
- Capture and track feedback from Design and Brand teams throughout key milestones
- Partner with Design, Merchandising, Production, and Brand teams to support product lifecycle progress
- Collaborate with Materials and Design teams to ensure materials meet cost and quality targets
- Participate in tech pack reviews to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment to cost expectations
- Align with Production teams on seasonal buyer projections
- Act as a key point of coordination with overseas teams to ensure timelines and deliverables are met
- Follow up on sample status, ensuring timely delivery to avoid delays
- Communicate updates, approvals, and changes clearly and consistently across partners
- Monitor calendar milestones to keep product development on track
- Support cost reviews and identify opportunities for product engineering improvements
- Track seasonal adoption rates, comparing planned vs. actual styles and SKUs
- Manage special request samples and gather feedback from Merchandising partners
- 1–3 years of relevant experience
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and product development experience
- Knowledge of footwear components
- Familiarity with synthetic materials (PUs, microsuedes, polyesters)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
- Strong organization and follow-through skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
- Attention to detail with a focus on product accuracy and execution
- Clear and effective communication, especially with global partners
- Problem-solving mindset with the ability to take initiative
- Prior experience in footwear product development
Perks and Benefits You’ll Enjoy!
- Your Sole Well-Being: Our benefits package is crafted with our associates in mind! We support you with benefits like free virtual health care, robust family/fertility benefits, 401(k) w/ match, and more. Explore our offerings at https://mymobilewalletcard.com/dbi.
- Stride with Flexibility: We offer hybrid and remote work opportunities, giving you the freedom to stay connected, productive, and inspired—wherever you do your best work.
- Stepping Up Your Career: Take advantage of training programs, professional development, and education assistance to advance your career with a company that celebrates bold ideas and fresh perspectives.
- We are Shoe-Obsessed: Because we know a great pair of shoes can change your day, you’ll enjoy 30% off at DSW & com, plus discounts across our family of brands.
Skills Required
- 1-3 years of relevant experience
- Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Experience using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
What We Do
Designer Brands is one of North America’s largest designers, producers and retailers of footwear and accessories that operates retail concepts. Our primary concept, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, offers brand name and designer dress, casual and athletic footwear and accessories. The first store opened in 1991 in Dublin, Ohio. Today, DSW operates more than 500 stores in 44 states. The Affiliated Business Group operates nearly 290 leased departments for other retailers, such as Stein Mart, in the U.S. Designer Brands also operates several retail concepts in Canada, including The Shoe Company and Shoe Warehouse, which provide a convenient footwear solution for the whole family, as well as DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse – nearly 150 locations in all. In 2018, the company acquired Camuto Group, the legendary product design and brand development organization best known for the successful Vince Camuto® brand and the footwear licenses of Jessica Simpson® and Lucky Brand®. The partnership transformed Designer Brands into one of the largest footwear companies in North America with global, industry-leading capabilities in product design, development, sourcing and production.
