The Role
Lead the footwear design team to create innovative products aligned with PUMA's seasonal calendar, enhance brand identity, and manage product development while inspiring and developing team members.
Summary Generated by Built In
YOUR MISSION
- Lead in creation and execution of innovative product designs and deliver results in line with PUMA’s Kids FTW seasonal development calendar
- Reinforce and strengthen the brand position and help to generate consumer demand by ensuring the seasonal creative direction is expressed through the respective collections
- Work closely with the Creative Director to drive forward the brand DNA, market relevant design and desirability in the respective channels for PUMA
- Lead design team to produce, maintain and update creative decks / sketches / Illustrator drawings / specifications / material overviews / colour directions / boards, supporting the process and meeting all deadlines accordingly
- Manage product and technical developments across given product design areas and critical paths
- Guide team to attend product development meetings, where and when required
- Track sell in and sell through data, utilize market intelligence, and design trend information to continuously inspire the product creation process
- Drive a close cooperation with designers from inline, RCC’s (Regional Creation Centers) and other product areas and BU’s (Apparel & Accessories) to ensure strong collaboration and 360 design concepts when needed
- Lead, inspire and develop the individual team members and foster a strong team dynamic
- Manage, support, motivate, coordinate and develop the assigned team, including yearly performance appraisal process, goal setting and budget planning.
- Represent your design areas as design spokesperson at internal and external meetings to present new designs, concepts, creative direction and to be the key representative of the Kids product team working closely with Development, Product Line Management and Marketing
- International and domestic travel as required for market research, trend and inspiration trips, consumer insights and factories/development centers to assist and review commercialization and production on key products.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Footwear, Industrial, Fashion Design and/or relevant field of study
- Minimum 8+ years relevant experience in the fashion, sportswear or casual sports lifestyle space specializing in footwear
- Experience of directly leading a small design team is a strong advantage
- Proficiency and refinement in all stages of presentation, from concept to final design review
- Strong concept and storytelling skills
- Have a broad knowledge of footwear manufacturing and prototyping
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong MAC, CAD and analytical skills
- Proficiency in Adobe Packages
- Experience in international product development, manufacturing processes, product conceptualization and technical package specification
- Ability to function autonomously as well as in a cooperative within a diverse group
- Leadership capabilities, including ability to motivate and mentor others within working group
- Tremendous attention to detail, and extraordinary time-management skills
- Team player with ability to adapt to change quickly and with minimum supervision.
- Previous experience working in a kids’ design team is a plus.
- Please also add your PORTFOLIO to your application.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree in Footwear, Industrial, Fashion Design
- Minimum 8+ years relevant experience in fashion, sportswear, or casual sports lifestyle
- Proficiency in all stages of presentation from concept to final review
- Strong knowledge of footwear manufacturing and prototyping
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Leadership capabilities including mentoring others
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The Company
What We Do
At PUMA, we are in constant pursuit of faster. That extends beyond our support of the fastest athletes in the world. We also work to be fast in how we adapt to and connect with the constantly changing world around us. Through innovative design, iconic footwear and apparel, and authentic partnerships, we aim to always push what’s next in both sport and culture. That hustler’s spirit can be felt across PUMA categories, partnerships, offices, and countries. And we are always in search of talent that can help us set the pace at which sport and culture collide, as well as finding better ways to connect and collaborate with our communities. PUMA supports over 14,000 employees across 120+ countries. The PUMA Group owns the brand PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany.
