Wolf & Shepherd
About the Role
Reports to:
Director of Product Creation, and Design Director
WHO WE ARE
Wolf & Shepherd is designed to equip professionals to win in all aspects of their lives through comfortable fashionable footwear. The concept came from the problem professionals face, going to and from work in athletic shoes just to avoid the common discomfort found in a quality dress shoe. As a fast‑growing lifestyle brand, we are on a mission to debunk the myth that classically styled shoes can’t have sport‑technology comforts.
WHAT WE NEED
We’re looking for a Sr. Footwear Designer with an entrepreneurial spirit to help our growing Design team implement processes that deliver world‑class products that inspire and motivate. This role will collaborate with our Brand Team on new product briefs aimed at creating innovative concepts and collections that follow our brand DNA. This is a critical position for our company; a lot will be expected. You should have the leadership qualities to make changes and constantly seek new ways to make things better.
JOB TYPE:
Full‑time, exempt position based at our El Segundo, CA headquarters.
Tasks & Responsibilities
Drive the monthly and seasonal creative direction for Wolf & Shepherd through ideation, brainstorming sessions, and mood boards that reflect our brand and customer.
Serve as a key contributor to the end‑to‑end design and development process: research market and design inspiration, conceptualize innovative footwear, assess competitor products, sketch and render concepts, prototype mock‑ups, develop tech packs and CADs, and manage sample iterations.
Execute thoughtful product design that balances aesthetics and functionality across all details—construction, color, shape, fit, materials, comfort, and cost.
Stay current with fashion and consumer trends through ongoing market research and trend forecasting, applying insights to product strategy, material selection, and innovation.
Collaborate cross‑functionally to ensure products meet production timelines, comfort and fit standards, cost/margin targets, merchandising needs, and aesthetic goals.
Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and innovation within the design and product creation team and broader Wolf & Shepherd community.
Requirements & Qualifications
5‑7 years of footwear design experience, including design team leadership or project ownership.
Strong portfolio showcasing original and diverse footwear designs.
Proficiency in hand sketching, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop.
Skilled in 2D technical drawing, blueprinting, and digital rendering tools.
Experience with 3D creation is a plus.
Solid understanding of footwear manufacturing processes and construction methods.
Exceptional eye for color, material selection, and product detailing.
Experience in both athletic and dress footwear design is highly preferred.
Previous experience working in a start‑up or entrepreneurial environment is a plus.
Self‑starter with a solution‑oriented mindset and ability to make decisions in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
Excellent communication skills—both written and verbal—with a collaborative and professional approach.
Perks & Benefits We are committed to offering our employees a challenging and rewarding work environment, opportunities for growth and development, benefits, and a competitive compensation package.
Health, vision, and dental benefits program
401(k) plan
Flexible time off
Sick pay
Frequent free meals and snacks and company‑sponsored gatherings
Wolf & Shepherd shoes and more
Seniority level Mid‑Senior level
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Marketing, Advertising, and Project Management
Industries Retail Apparel and Fashion, Wholesale Footwear, and Retail
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Wolf & Shepherd by 2x.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Director of Product Creation, and Design Director
WHO WE ARE
Wolf & Shepherd is designed to equip professionals to win in all aspects of their lives through comfortable fashionable footwear. The concept came from the problem professionals face, going to and from work in athletic shoes just to avoid the common discomfort found in a quality dress shoe. As a fast‑growing lifestyle brand, we are on a mission to debunk the myth that classically styled shoes can’t have sport‑technology comforts.
WHAT WE NEED
We’re looking for a Sr. Footwear Designer with an entrepreneurial spirit to help our growing Design team implement processes that deliver world‑class products that inspire and motivate. This role will collaborate with our Brand Team on new product briefs aimed at creating innovative concepts and collections that follow our brand DNA. This is a critical position for our company; a lot will be expected. You should have the leadership qualities to make changes and constantly seek new ways to make things better.
JOB TYPE:
Full‑time, exempt position based at our El Segundo, CA headquarters.
Tasks & Responsibilities
Drive the monthly and seasonal creative direction for Wolf & Shepherd through ideation, brainstorming sessions, and mood boards that reflect our brand and customer.
Serve as a key contributor to the end‑to‑end design and development process: research market and design inspiration, conceptualize innovative footwear, assess competitor products, sketch and render concepts, prototype mock‑ups, develop tech packs and CADs, and manage sample iterations.
Execute thoughtful product design that balances aesthetics and functionality across all details—construction, color, shape, fit, materials, comfort, and cost.
Stay current with fashion and consumer trends through ongoing market research and trend forecasting, applying insights to product strategy, material selection, and innovation.
Collaborate cross‑functionally to ensure products meet production timelines, comfort and fit standards, cost/margin targets, merchandising needs, and aesthetic goals.
Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and innovation within the design and product creation team and broader Wolf & Shepherd community.
Requirements & Qualifications
5‑7 years of footwear design experience, including design team leadership or project ownership.
Strong portfolio showcasing original and diverse footwear designs.
Proficiency in hand sketching, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop.
Skilled in 2D technical drawing, blueprinting, and digital rendering tools.
Experience with 3D creation is a plus.
Solid understanding of footwear manufacturing processes and construction methods.
Exceptional eye for color, material selection, and product detailing.
Experience in both athletic and dress footwear design is highly preferred.
Previous experience working in a start‑up or entrepreneurial environment is a plus.
Self‑starter with a solution‑oriented mindset and ability to make decisions in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
Excellent communication skills—both written and verbal—with a collaborative and professional approach.
Perks & Benefits We are committed to offering our employees a challenging and rewarding work environment, opportunities for growth and development, benefits, and a competitive compensation package.
Health, vision, and dental benefits program
401(k) plan
Flexible time off
Sick pay
Frequent free meals and snacks and company‑sponsored gatherings
Wolf & Shepherd shoes and more
Seniority level Mid‑Senior level
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Marketing, Advertising, and Project Management
Industries Retail Apparel and Fashion, Wholesale Footwear, and Retail
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Wolf & Shepherd by 2x.
#J-18808-Ljbffr