Product Designer I, Junior – Footwear
FOCO, Piscataway, NJ, United States
About FOCO
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
Footwear Design & Concept Development
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
Product Development Support
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
Licensing & Brand Execution
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
Vendor & Factory Collaboration
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
Trend & Market Research
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
Cross-Functional Collaboration
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
Key Competencies
Creative concept development
Commercial product thinking (mass retail mindset)
Attention to detail
Organization and time management
Collaboration and communication
Adaptability in a fast-paced environment
Why FOCO?
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
Tryouts are open at FOCO!
If you’re passionate about design, sports, and consumer products, we’d love to see your work.
Apply now.
⚠️ Application Requirement (Read Before Applying)
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.
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
Footwear Design & Concept Development
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
Product Development Support
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
Licensing & Brand Execution
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
Vendor & Factory Collaboration
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
Trend & Market Research
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
Cross-Functional Collaboration
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
Key Competencies
Creative concept development
Commercial product thinking (mass retail mindset)
Attention to detail
Organization and time management
Collaboration and communication
Adaptability in a fast-paced environment
Why FOCO?
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
Tryouts are open at FOCO!
If you’re passionate about design, sports, and consumer products, we’d love to see your work.
Apply now.
⚠️ Application Requirement (Read Before Applying)
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.