Steve Bacon

• Led the footwear team to take product concepts from design sketch through to production.
• Coordinated with multiple suppliers both in the USA and Asia to find and test the best materials for each project.
• Created, Managed, and updated timelines for product development. Created and distributed design briefs to the design team for new projects.
• Worked directly with in-house and outside designers to create new outsoles and new upper designs.
• Produced 2D drawings for submission to mold shops and reviewed and confirmed all drawings and 3D models for production.
• Proactively problem-solved issues in early-stage samples to create the best possible product for production.
• Coordinated with Sales and Marketing to create catalogs and presentations for sales meetings.
• Worked directly with factories in Asia and Quality Control to confirm standard operational procedures for production.

• Senior Manager for the Technical Team consisting of pattern engineering, tooling, and concept development projects.
• Working directly with Development and Design teams to take advanced concepts from initial brief to prototype quickly and efficiently to help develop new designs in a fast-paced hype business.
• Working directly with US and Asia-based sample rooms to build prototypes and problem-solve issues.
• Partnering with the 3d design team to have concept designs printed in 3d to use in prototyping.
• Researching and connecting with outside suppliers to bring the newest technologies to the team and implement them into the current product line.
• Mentoring and supporting the Tooling Team to help keep all tooling projects moving in the right direction.
• Working with pre-production teams at partner factories to help commercialize new technologies on a large scale.

• Supported the Product Team by analyzing designs for manufacturability, production, and material properties, offering economic and efficient solutions to achieve cost targets from concept through to final tooling authorization.
• Collaborated with sourcing in China, Vietnam, and Germany to ensure timelines were followed and problems were solved promptly.
• Partnered with the Concept design team to offer technical solutions to highlight any manufacturing constraints.
• Created and led a cross-functional task force for all 3D and Prototyping team members across design, sample room, and development to track and keep all digital projects on a fast-paced timeline from initial ask to prototype delivery.

Design and develop new ideas for multiple clients and various brands. Creating trend studies, concepts drawings, and finished renderings and spec sheets to create new footwear styles. Working directly with factories to create prototypes, finished samples, and color stories. Traveling both domestic and internationally to research market trends, work with suppliers and attend product presentation meetings for clients both domestically and internationally.

Sr. Footwear Developer for Zoot Sports, worked on both Triathlon and Running specific styles to develop all necessary documents to take designs from concept to final production. Compiled Domestic and International trend research. Worked directly with sponsored athletes for product improvements. Coordinated with multiple suppliers both in the USA and Asia to find and test the best materials for each project. Created, Managed and updated timelines for the entire product development process. Created and distributed design briefs to design team for new projects. Worked directly with in house and outside designers to create new outsoles and new upper designs. Produced 2D drawings for submission to mold shops and reviewed and confirmed all drawings and 3D models for production. Proactively problem solved issues in early stage samples to create the best possible product for production. Coordinated with Sales and Marketing to create catalogs and presentations for sales meetings. Worked directly with the factories in Asia and Quality Control to confirm standard operational procedures for production.

Manager on a small team in the Research and Development department. Worked as an in house think tank for all brands of Brown Shoe Co. Worked to brainstorm innovative ideas, product improvements, and new technology applications across the entire company. Worked on concepts through the entire development process from research to testing and into production. Concept Drawing, 3D model building, Trouble shooting and presentations with Product Development teams both in the US and Asia. Working with all categories of footwear, men’s, women’s, athletic, casual and dress.

Athletic Footwear Designer. Focusing on Men’s Athletic shoes for major US customers. Working with Sales teams and Marketing to create the most appropriate products for the season. Working both in the US and China office to assure product consistency from concept to final production. Traveling both domestic and internationally to research market trends.

Worked in Rhinoceros 3D CAD as a model builder for yachts and small water craft. Design sketching and 3D model building. Built “A” surface models used for tooling fiberglass molds of hulls, decks and cabins for production models od boats for mainstream marine clients.