Senior Footwear Designer, Lifestyle - Merrell

Current employees, please apply in Workday.

For over 40 Years, Merrell has been trying to share the simple power of the being outside with everyone. We believe in the positive benefit of the outdoors to restore individuals and communities. As a result, we want to fuel the growth of outdoor participation through the creation of awesome products and amazing stories that encourages people to get outside everyday whether in the city or on the trail. To help drive this journey, we are looking for a product designer who will report directly to the Sr. Director of Design.
This individual will bring the brand to life through elevated design that delivers the brand’s short-term and long-term growth goals. This individual’s success will be based on their ability to be consumer-centric, creative, and drive timely change through trend-right designs that align to brands design language that contribute to the formulation of the annual product design plan to achieve brand business targets and product category objectives. The ideal candidate will be passionate about elevating the consumer experience through product design by meeting the needs of the outdoor style forward consumer.

• Champions design excellence by fostering style and product innovation by leveraging consumer, market, and trend research to create ownable point of view for the brand rooted in performance but style forward.
• Manages a design category and/or team.
• Creates footwear designs appropriate for the target consumer and developed within the project timelines according to project briefs.
• Research marketing and fashion trends. Collaborates with product leadership on seasonal direction.
• Partners closely with commercial teams (product line management) to ensure that products are commercial, within price targets and meet the brands business needs on a seasonal basis, as well as the development teams to ensure products meet the testing and usage standards.
• Develops seasonal marketing stories for assigned category in coordination with the overall business unit strategic direction, as well as the Global Brand Management and Global Marketing functions.
• Produces accurate and detailed color and material specs to factory standards.
• Partners with materials team to assess and evaluate seasonal material needs.
• Supports Design leader regarding design initiatives and priorities.
• Performs duties consistent with the Company’s AAP/EEO goals and policies.
• Performs other duties as required/assigned by manager.

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities Required

• Bachelor’s degree in design or equivalent experience required.
• 7+ years of footwear design experience required.
• Proven leadership skills with at least 2 years’ experience in leading or influencing others.
• Creatively agile with a strong design eye and a passion for pushing product excellence.
• Strong understanding of footwear constructions and manufacturing methods with international factory experience.
• Proven track record of managing and driving multiple design projects from conceptualization to finished product.
• Strong interest in sneaker and fashion culture and how to integrate that into the brand into product solutions and narratives.
• Brings a strong team mentality approach to their work and comfortable driving and influencing change.
• Supports a culture of curiosity through a test & learn approach.
• Actively embraces a growth mindset with an openness to feedback to support continuous improvement.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and visually through sketches, illustrations and renderings.
• Strong computer skills, 3D, Miro, Photo-shop software and Adobe Illustrator.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.

Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. is committed to creating a company that is as diverse as our consumers. We value the differences in one another and believe our differences make us stronger. Our diverse and inclusive corporate culture starts with the recruitment process. We are committed to being an equal opportunity employer. We aim to create equal opportunities for our associates, customers, and suppliers regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic.