Job Opening: Technical Product Developer & Footwear Sourcing Merchant

Location: Karol Bagh, Delhi (Requires regular travel to Agra, Narela, Bahadurgarh, and Noida)

Department: Product Development, Sourcing & Quality Assurance

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reporting To: Founder / Operations Head

About Rubysteps Footwear

Rubysteps is a fast-fashion women’s footwear brand headquartered in Karol Bagh, Delhi. We combine high-street aesthetics (Zara/Aldo looks) with engineered "Stealth Comfort" technology (dual-density memory foam, ergonomic arch support, and shock-absorbing footbeds).

We operate a hybrid supply chain: importing high-fashion trend components from China and assembling them with compliant, high-grade domestic outsoles across North Indian job-work units for both our B2B wholesale showroom and D2C e-commerce platform.

Role Summary

We are seeking a high-execution Technical Product Developer & Sourcing Merchant who bridges the gap between design trends, engineering, and factory assembly.

Instead of drawing conceptual sketches, you will translate visual trend inputs (from platforms like 1688, POP Shoe, and 3D renders) into commercial, production-ready tech packs. You will oversee pattern fitting for Indian foot anatomy, source domestic bases and imported trims, negotiate job-work costing, and enforce strict AQL 2.5 quality controls across export-quality factories in North India.

Key Responsibilities1. Tech Pack Development & Pattern Engineering

- Translate 3D renders, physical samples, and Chinese supplier CMF reports into detailed, factory-ready Footwear Tech Packs.
- Adapt upper patterns and last measurements to suit Indian foot morphology (broader insteps and wider forefeet) to minimize D2C sizing returns.




- Integrate Rubysteps "Stealth Comfort" tech into every silhouette (embedding dual-density memory foam sheets, gel heel pads, and arch shanks seamlessly into insole boards).
- Maintain separate material variations for our D2C line (premium embellishments, crystal mesh, imported synthetic suedes) and B2B Wholesale line (durable, high-margin matte PUs on shared sole bases).

1. Component Sourcing & BOM Costing

- Domestic Sourcing: Scout and negotiate with outsole molders and sheet suppliers in Agra, Narela, and Bahadurgarh for Tunit, TPR, PVC, and EVA bases carrying valid domestic BIS CML licenses.
- Import Integration: Coordinate the arrival and inspection of imported hero components (sculpted acrylic heels, metallic stems, rhinestone uppers, and specialized hardware) shipped under HS Code 6406.90.
- Calculate exact Bill of Materials (BOM), consumption yields per pair (PU/fabric square footage, adhesive volume, thread count), and lock in targeted landed COGS.

1. Factory Onboarding & Job-Work Management

- Audit, onboard, and manage mid-sized export-quality factories and job-work assembly workshops in Agra, Delhi-NCR, and Kundli.
- Negotiate competitive per-pair job-work assembly charges, wastage allowances, and production timelines.
- Monitor critical-path timelines to ensure rapid 14-to-21-day production turnarounds from sample sign-off to showroom delivery.





1. Fitting, Quality Control & Field Inspections

- Conduct live fit testing on physical lasts to verify balance, heel pitch, vamp coverage, and arch stability before bulk cutting.
- Execute During Production (DUPRO) and Final Random Inspections (FRI) following AQL 2.5 standards.
- Perform key physical quality tests on-site:
- Heel Pull-Strength Test: Verifying torque resistance on acrylic and stiletto heel stems.
- Sole Bonding Test: Checking cement adhesion between uppers and Tunit/TPR outsoles.
- EVA Durometer Test: Ensuring cushioned footbeds meet target softness (43±2 Asker C).
- Enforce zero tolerance for visible glue marks, misaligned heel breasts, raw edges, or loose stitching.

Required Qualifications & Experience
- Educational Background: Degree or Diploma in Footwear Technology or Leather Goods Design from FDDI (Footwear Design & Development Institute), CFTI, or NIFT.
- Work Experience: 3 to 5 years of hands-on experience in footwear merchandising, product development, or QA with an export house, footwear brand, or buying agency.
- Technical Mastery:
- Deep knowledge of shoe construction methods (Cemented, Board Lasted, Injection Molded EVA).
- Comprehensive understanding of footwear anatomy: HDPE lasts, horizontal steel shanks, ABS plastic heel stems, Texon insole boards, Tunit sheets, and TPR/EVA outsoles.
- Proven ability to calculate raw material yields and build detailed BOM cost sheets.
- Supplier Network: Active, established relationships with component suppliers, molders, and job-work units across Agra, Delhi-NCR, and Bahadurgarh.

Pay: ₹25,000.00 - ₹45,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person

📌 Technical Product Developer & Footwear Sourcing Merchant (Karol Bagh)
🏢 Ruby Steps
📍 Karol Bagh