Burberry Product Developer – Shoes
- Seniority
- Mid-Level
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- May 7, 2026
About Burberry
Burberry is an iconic British luxury house founded by Thomas Burberry. The brand operates a global network of directly owned and franchised stores across EMEIA, Asia Pacific and the Americas, and is recognised for its heritage craftsmanship, contemporary design and early adoption of digital technologies. Sustainability and responsible sourcing are embedded in the business strategy and product lifecycle.
Burberry seeks a Product Developer – Shoes in Florence. Lead footwear development from concept to production for the luxury brand.
Role & Responsibilities
- Drive the full footwear development cycle from concept through to production, ensuring alignment with design intent and brand standards.
- Prepare and maintain detailed technical packs (specs, lasts, CAD flats) and manage revisions through fit sessions and prototyping.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with design, materials sourcing, pattern makers, factories and quality teams to resolve technical and fit issues.
- Manage development schedules, sample approval milestones and handover to production while maintaining cost and quality targets.
- Implement and maintain PLM records, bill of materials and costing inputs; ensure traceability for sustainability and compliance requirements.
- Support factory trials, attend fittings, and oversee pre-production quality checks to ensure production readiness.
Qualifications
- Degree or diploma in Footwear Technology, Industrial Design, Fashion Product Development or equivalent practical experience.
- Practical knowledge of footwear construction, lasts, grading and material behaviour across leather and technical materials.
- Proven ability to produce and interpret technical specifications, patterns and assembly sequences for complex shoe constructions.
- Strong organisational skills with experience managing multiple development streams and external suppliers.
- Keen attention to detail and commitment to upholding luxury quality standards.
Skills
Experience
Typically 3–5 years of hands-on footwear development experience within a premium or luxury brand environment, with demonstrable exposure to sample management, factory liaison and complex shoe constructions.
Education
Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in footwear technology, product development, industrial design or a related discipline; substantial relevant industry experience may be accepted in lieu of formal qualifications.
Workplace
This position is based in Florence, Tuscany, Italy.
Culture
The workplace blends Burberry's British design heritage with a modern, digitally enabled approach to product creation. Teams operate collaboratively across design, sourcing and production, with an emphasis on craftsmanship, sustainability and continuous innovation.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Burberry, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Footwear Product Developer», «Footwear Technologist», «Shoes Development Specialist», «Footwear Technical Developer», «Footwear Development Coordinator», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.