Director of Footwear Design
Location: Xiamen, Shanghai
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced and visionary Footwear Design Leader to join a leading global sportswear group. This role offers two distinct career paths:
- Creative Design Track
: Focus on pioneering innovative concepts and leading design execution for footwear collections. - Design Management Track
: Emphasis on strategic leadership, team development, and cross-functional collaboration to drive product excellence. - Exceptional candidates may advance to lead the brand's entire footwear design portfolio (excluding basketball initially), starting with running, lifestyle, or multiple categories before expanding to full range oversight
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Direction
: Develop seasonal and long-term design strategies aligned with global trends, brand DNA, and consumer insightsEnd-to-End Design Leadership
: Oversee the entire design process from concept ideation and material selection to prototyping and final product executionTeam Development
: Mentor and manage a high-performing design team, fostering creativity, efficiency, and professional growthCross-Functional Collaboration
: Work closely with product development, marketing, and sourcing teams to ensure designs balance innovation, feasibility, and commercial successMarket & Trend Analysis
: Conduct research on consumer preferences, competitor landscapes, and emerging technologies to inform design decisions
Qualifications & Experience
10+ years of footwear design experience, preferably with
globally recognized sportswear brandsProven track record in either
creative design innovation
(strong portfolio required) or
design team management
(Director-level experience preferred)Expertise in footwear construction, materials, color theory, and design software (Adobe CC, 3D tools)
Global perspective with ability to integrate international trends and collaborate across cultures
Fluency in English; proficiency in Chinese is a plus but not mandatory.
International candidates are welcome