Footwear Product Development Executive

Footwear Development & Sourcing Executive

Location : Pune (Balewadi)

Department : Product Development & Sourcing

Reports to : Head – Product & Design

About Frido

Frido, the flagship brand of Arcatron Mobility, is all about comfort and innovation in everyday products. We are now expanding into ergonomic and lifestyle footwear , blending comfort, technology, and style to redefine footwear for modern consumers.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Footwear Development & Sourcing Executive to lead the end-to-end product lifecycle – from trend research and product development to vendor management and sourcing. The role requires a keen eye for design, strong technical know-how, and expertise in managing vendors in India and overseas (China, Vietnam, etc.).

Key Responsibilities

Product Development :

Drive concept-to-prototype development for footwear collections, ensuring alignment with Frido’s comfort-first philosophy.

Collaborate with design, marketing, and merchandising teams to translate consumer insights into functional, stylish products.

Conduct trend research, competitive benchmarking, and material innovation sourcing.

Sourcing & Vendor Management :

Identify, develop, and manage vendor partners across India, China, Vietnam, and other regions.

Negotiate pricing, timelines, and quality standards to ensure cost-effective sourcing without compromising product integrity.

Conduct factory visits for quality assurance, fit trials, and production monitoring.

Process & Quality Management :

Streamline product development timelines to meet seasonal and business deadlines.

Oversee sampling, prototyping, and commercialization processes.

Ensure compliance with quality standards, sustainability goals, and cost optimization targets.

Cross-Functional Collaboration :

Partner with internal teams (marketing, sales, finance, and supply chain) for smooth design-to-production execution.

Support launches with technical inputs and vendor insights.

Must-Have Requirements

5–10 years of experience in footwear development, sourcing, and vendor management (D2C / retail preferred).

Strong network of vendors / suppliers in India, China, and Vietnam .

Knowledge of footwear construction, materials, lasts, and comfort technologies.

Proficiency in design software (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, CAD tools).

Strong negotiation, costing, and vendor relationship management skills.

Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Good-to-Have

Exposure to accessories development (bags, belts, etc.).

Experience in sustainable material sourcing.

Prior experience with D2C / lifestyle / ergonomic product brands.

Mandarin / Vietnamese language skills.