Senior Product Development Manager – Sneakers & Footwear

Beyond Talent is partnering with a luxury brand based in Milan, currently entering an important phase of expansion. With a strong creative identity and ambitious growth plans, the brand is looking to strengthen its footwear division by appointing a Senior Product Development Manager specialised in Sneakers (MANDATORY) and Footwear.

This is a key role for an experienced product development professional with strong technical knowledge, excellent supplier management skills, and a deep understanding of luxury footwear standards.

Role Overview

The Senior Product Development Manager – Sneakers & Footwear will lead the development strategy for the sneakers and footwear category, managing the process from initial design brief through to production handover.

Working closely with Design, Production, Merchandising, and Supply Chain teams, this person will ensure that each product is developed in line with the brand’s creative vision, quality expectations, commercial objectives, timing, and cost targets.

The role will also involve managing and developing relationships with suppliers and factories across Italy and Asia, ensuring strong execution, technical excellence, and consistency across the full development process.

Key Responsibilities

• Significant experience in footwear product development, with strong expertise in sneakers.
• Previous experience within luxury, premium, or high-end fashion brands.
• Lead the full development process for sneakers and footwear, from design brief to production handover.
• Define and implement the product development strategy in line with the brand’s creative vision and growth plans.
• Work closely with Design, Production, Merchandising, and Supply Chain teams to ensure product feasibility, quality, timing, and cost objectives.
• Manage suppliers and factories across Italy and Asia, ensuring strong communication, clear priorities, and on-time delivery.
• Oversee prototypes, fittings, samples, pre-production trials, and technical corrections.
• Ensure all products meet the brand’s luxury standards in terms of construction, materials, comfort, craftsmanship, and finishing.
• Anticipate and solve technical issues related to materials, soles, lasts, fitting, construction, costing, and industrialisation.
• Monitor development calendars, key milestones, budgets, and product documentation.
• Support process improvements and contribute to building a stronger footwear development structure during the brand’s expansion.
• Travel to suppliers and factories when required.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a luxury brand at a key moment of expansion and to play a central role in shaping the future of its sneakers and footwear category.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead development strategy, strengthen supplier relationships, improve processes, and directly contribute to the growth of a highly creative luxury brand.