Footwear Materials Design Manager

Aquent is partnering with an industry-leading company renowned for shaping the future of athletic and lifestyle products through innovation and groundbreaking design. This organization is at the forefront of integrating art, science, and cultural trends to create high-performance products that resonate globally. Join a visionary team dedicated to pushing boundaries and delivering exceptional consumer experiences.

Step into a pivotal role where your expertise will directly influence the next generation of iconic footwear. We are seeking an exceptional individual to lead the charge in footwear material design, combining your problem-solving prowess and creative vision to leave an indelible mark on products that inspire and perform. This is a dynamic opportunity to craft compelling narratives and drive material innovation, translating cutting-edge concepts into tangible, high-impact designs that elevate the consumer product experience.

What You Will Contribute

• Collaborate closely with leadership and diverse cross-functional teams, including Product Designers, Color Design specialists, Developers, and Product Line Managers, to advance innovative materials and manufacturing approaches on strategic projects.
• Shape design direction and dimensional strategy, consistently elevating existing materials while pioneering groundbreaking new material concepts.
• Translate complex consumer insights into compelling, trend and performance-driven narratives, establishing yourself as a recognized expert at both the product and collection level.
• Seamlessly integrate design, development, and manufacturing processes to achieve unparalleled product excellence.
• Leverage extensive research and a deep understanding of youth culture, color trends, fashion, art, and sports to position the brand at the absolute forefront of material innovation.
• Work in close partnership with color teams, developers, merchandisers, and project managers across all cleated footwear products, including specialized training and golf footwear.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in design, art, or a closely related field (such as fashion, product, industrial, accessory, footwear, or textile design), or equivalent education, experience, or training.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant design experience in advancing material design, textile design, or footwear design, with a strong preference for 10+ years specifically in footwear design.
• Demonstrated collaborative nature and a solution-oriented mindset, thriving in team environments.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Deep product creation knowledge, encompassing construction techniques and build processes.
• Proven people management skills or a strong, demonstrable desire to lead and develop high-performing teams.
• Exceptional ability to interpret consumer insights and translate them into compelling product narratives.
• Skilled in concept creation and adept at exploring material innovations and technologies.
• Extensive experience building inspiring presentations and mood boards for seasonal concepts.
• Comprehensive understanding of the Footwear Product Creation process from concept to market.
• Experience collaborating effectively with manufacturing partners to ensure precise design intent and material execution.
• Experienced with presentation programs such as Keynote, PowerPoint, Acrobat, and Miro.
• Strong presentation skills, comfortable and effective in both small and large group settings.
• A collaborative, positive individual who is a good listener, receptive to candid feedback, and open to diverse points of view.
• Passion for design, culture, and a relentless pursuit of design excellence.
• Highly organized and self-sufficient, capable of managing multiple priorities.
• The courage to advocate for yourself and your team.
• A portfolio is required with all submissions to showcase your expertise and creative vision.

Skills That Will Set You Apart

• Proficiency in 3D rendering skills.
• Prior experience with leading brands within the athletic or fashion industry.
• Strong consumer and market acumen, with a keen eye for trends.
• Ability to ideate using digital platforms such as Gravity Sketch or CLO.
• Experience creating 3D samples and hands-on mockups.