Product Designer I – Footwear, Junior
FOCO, Piscataway, NJ, United States
Team Beans/Forever Collectibles (FOCO) is a global leader in officially licensed sports and entertainment merchandise. FOCO proudly holds licenses across all major professional sports leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, and NCAA, along with a growing portfolio of entertainment and character-based brands.
Our product portfolio spans apparel, headwear, accessories, footwear, collectibles, and novelty items—distributed across major retailers, eCommerce, and fan channels. We specialize in fan-first, trend-driven products that bring teams and characters to life.
The Opportunity FOCO is seeking a Product Designer I – Footwear to support the design and development of licensed, commercially driven footwear products.
This role focuses on thematic and lifestyle footwear—including flip flops, slides, slippers, casual sneakers, and novelty footwear—designed for mass retail partners such as Walmart and other key accounts.
This is an entry-level opportunity for a designer who is passionate about consumer products, sports, and pop culture, and wants to create fun, accessible products at scale.
What You’ll Do
Assist in designing licensed footwear products (flip flops, slides, slippers, casual sneakers, novelty styles)
Develop graphics, patterns, and themed executions aligned with sports teams and entertainment brands
Support translating concepts into commercially viable products
Assist in creating tech packs including materials, construction, colorways, and specifications
Support sample reviews, revisions, and approvals
Help ensure designs align with cost targets, margin goals, and production capabilities
Design within licensor guidelines (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, NCAA, and entertainment brands)
Support artwork submissions and approval processes
Maintain consistency across licensed product lines
Work with internal teams and support communication with overseas factories
Assist in sample tracking and product updates
Travel to factories (China, Mexico, etc.) up to 20% to support development, material reviews, and production alignment
Research trends in footwear, fan gear, retail, and pop culture
Identify opportunities for new product ideas and seasonal launches
Support development of trend boards and concept presentations
Partner with Product Development, Sourcing, Sales, and Merchandising teams
Support key retail programs and custom product initiatives
Assist in presentations, line reviews, and internal meetings
✅ What You’ll Bring Required
Bachelor’s degree in Footwear Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, or related field
0–2 years of experience (internship or entry-level role) in design or product development
Strong interest in consumer products, footwear, or licensed merchandise
Basic understanding of materials and construction (soft goods or footwear preferred)
Strong organizational and communication skills
Willingness and ability to travel internationally up to 10% (Asia, Latin America, etc.)
Preferred
Experience or coursework related to footwear or soft goods design
Exposure to licensed products or branded merchandise
Ability to create graphics, patterns, or themed designs
Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite
Interest in sports, retail, and fan-driven products
Commercial product thinking (mass retail mindset)
Organization and time management
Collaboration and communication
Adaptability in a fast‑paced environment
Design products for the biggest sports leagues in the world
Create high-volume products sold at major retailers
Gain exposure to global sourcing and manufacturing
Work in a fast‑paced, product-driven environment
Competitive benefits and employee merchandise discounts
A portfolio is required for this role. Please include a link (URL) or PDF showcasing your design work. Applications submitted without a portfolio will not be reviewed.
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Our product portfolio spans apparel, headwear, accessories, footwear, collectibles, and novelty items—distributed across major retailers, eCommerce, and fan channels. We specialize in fan-first, trend-driven products that bring teams and characters to life.
The Opportunity FOCO is seeking a Product Designer I – Footwear to support the design and development of licensed, commercially driven footwear products.
This role focuses on thematic and lifestyle footwear—including flip flops, slides, slippers, casual sneakers, and novelty footwear—designed for mass retail partners such as Walmart and other key accounts.
This is an entry-level opportunity for a designer who is passionate about consumer products, sports, and pop culture, and wants to create fun, accessible products at scale.
What You’ll Do
Assist in designing licensed footwear products (flip flops, slides, slippers, casual sneakers, novelty styles)
Develop graphics, patterns, and themed executions aligned with sports teams and entertainment brands
Support translating concepts into commercially viable products
Assist in creating tech packs including materials, construction, colorways, and specifications
Support sample reviews, revisions, and approvals
Help ensure designs align with cost targets, margin goals, and production capabilities
Design within licensor guidelines (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, NCAA, and entertainment brands)
Support artwork submissions and approval processes
Maintain consistency across licensed product lines
Work with internal teams and support communication with overseas factories
Assist in sample tracking and product updates
Travel to factories (China, Mexico, etc.) up to 20% to support development, material reviews, and production alignment
Research trends in footwear, fan gear, retail, and pop culture
Identify opportunities for new product ideas and seasonal launches
Support development of trend boards and concept presentations
Partner with Product Development, Sourcing, Sales, and Merchandising teams
Support key retail programs and custom product initiatives
Assist in presentations, line reviews, and internal meetings
✅ What You’ll Bring Required
Bachelor’s degree in Footwear Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, or related field
0–2 years of experience (internship or entry-level role) in design or product development
Strong interest in consumer products, footwear, or licensed merchandise
Basic understanding of materials and construction (soft goods or footwear preferred)
Strong organizational and communication skills
Willingness and ability to travel internationally up to 10% (Asia, Latin America, etc.)
Preferred
Experience or coursework related to footwear or soft goods design
Exposure to licensed products or branded merchandise
Ability to create graphics, patterns, or themed designs
Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite
Interest in sports, retail, and fan-driven products
Commercial product thinking (mass retail mindset)
Organization and time management
Collaboration and communication
Adaptability in a fast‑paced environment
Design products for the biggest sports leagues in the world
Create high-volume products sold at major retailers
Gain exposure to global sourcing and manufacturing
Work in a fast‑paced, product-driven environment
Competitive benefits and employee merchandise discounts
A portfolio is required for this role. Please include a link (URL) or PDF showcasing your design work. Applications submitted without a portfolio will not be reviewed.
#J-18808-Ljbffr