Designer principal, Chaussures _ Senior Footwear Designer - halifax (Halifax Regional Municipality)

Senior Footwear Designer

At Kamik, we believe great footwear starts with purpose. Our products are designed to perform in real weather, for real people, with function, durability, comfort, and style at the forefront.

We are looking for a Senior Footwear Designer with strong technical expertise in outdoor, weatherproof, and performance footwear. This role will lead the design process from initial concept through to final salesman sample, ensuring each product reflects Kamik’s commitment to purposeful design, reliable performance, and everyday practicality.

The ideal candidate is a self‑directed and experienced footwear designer who understands how to balance creative vision, market relevance, material performance, and technical manufacturing requirements. They thrive in a fast‑paced setting, manage tight development timelines with confidence, and bring a strong understanding of how materials, construction, and design work together to create high‑performing footwear.

Key Responsibilities

• Purpose‑Built Design & Development: Lead end‑to‑end product creation of technical, outdoor, utility, winter, and lifestyle‑performance hybrid footwear with a function‑first mindset, ensuring every design serves a clear purpose and meets the needs of Kamik consumers.
• Technical Execution: Create detailed 2D technical packages, material specifications, outsole/tooling blueprints that ensure product development and manufacturing accuracy.
• Material Strategy & Performance: Contribute to material selection and creative direction, with a strong understanding of upper materials, textiles, leathers, synthetics, rubber compounds, waterproof membranes, insulation, and other performance‑driven components.
• Market & Consumer Insight: Identify and interpret global market trends, consumer needs, color direction, material innovation, and competitive product insights to help maintain Kamik’s position in the outdoor and weatherproof footwear market.
• Product Refinement & Prototyping: Collaborate closely with development and manufacturing partners to review prototypes, troubleshoot construction challenges, refine fit, and improve overall product function and performance.
• Timeline & Project Management: Manage multiple projects simultaneously across seasonal calendars, delivering high‑quality work under tight timelines while maintaining attention to detail and product integrity.
• Creative Leadership & Autonomy: Independently drive the creative vision for assigned categories while ensuring alignment with Kamik’s brand strategy, product goals, and performance standards.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in footwear design, ideally with a proven track record in the outdoor or technical footwear sectors.
• Mastery of performance materials (e.g., rubber compounds, waterproof membranes, technical textiles, and leathers) and advanced construction techniques.
• Strong technical knowledge and deep understanding of footwear manufacturing process, including injection molding, cold cement, and lasted constructions.
• Proven ability to design purpose‑built products where function is at the forefront.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities within fast‑paced seasonal timelines.
• Delivery‑focused mindset with the ability to work independently and take ownership of projects from concept to final sample.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a lead designer or mentorship role.
• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to communicate concepts clearly to sales teams and key stakeholders.
• Established network of material suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Familiarity with 3D design software is considered an asset.
• Deep understanding of materials and their performance and how they impact function, durability, comfort, and overall product quality.