Your Responsibilities:

• DESIGN
• Own key product designs of performance footwear by creating and presenting sketches for specialty concept products based on direction provided by the Merchandise briefs.
• Apply identity principles to maximize perceived value to drive superior aesthetic competitiveness.
• Influence and research direction of work with your design POV on storytelling, color, material, textile, finishes, market, and lifestyle trends to grow the appeal of Brooks Running footwear.
• Stay current in the athletic footwear market, different category trends, and product design innovations across the global network
• Create and manipulate original textile prints on shell patterns and footwear tech packs to connect with our creative foundation CRAFTED BEAUTY.
• Present trend, color palette, and textile graphics at concept debut, PAC meetings as needed, key retailer pre-lines, and sell-in and sales meetings.
• Prepare region-specific color palettes through market awareness and trend/color research.
• Create regional color renderings of specialty concept footwear for review and presentation.
• Ensure Pantone and CSI colors are handed off to Development for each color included in the season to development
• Finalize product details and proactively follow through on the execution of color/print for each product.
• Organize and deliver product design presentations, both physical and digital work including exploratory process, using your evaluation, judgment, and interpretation to select the right course of action.
• Develop a strong point of view and bring forward your own creative ideas; have a clear understanding of what’s trending in the market and translate to product concepts
• Provide feedback and guidance to Associate Designers and Designer 1.
• Seek out mentorship from more tenured Designers.
• Respond to design critique with multiple design solutions.


• TEAM COLLABORATION
• Partner within a product creation team and work across product categories on a wide range of complex projects and products to deliver industry-leading products and stories.
• Act as a main point person for Specialty Concepts using your color expertise to create unique color palettes differentiated from in-line and execute original print/patterns for footwear placement.
• Collaborate with Design, Product Marketing, Development and Material Designers to focus on color and print/pattern solutions for success in the market.
• Work closely with the 3D CAD Design Team to ensure a constant flow of information.
• Work closely with the Material Design Group and Product Assessment to ensure new specialty concept footwear material selection meets our fit, feel, and ride quality standards.
• Collaborate with Apparel Graphic Design on head-to-toe product execution within specialty concepts of MRA’s.
• Partner with Creative Services of Marketing teams on execution of Event/Collaboration footwear to execute brand vision.
• Work towards becoming a design expert and design leader across other teams – facilitate conversations, lead by example, and show the “how”.
• Assist sales reps with any color and trend needs throughout the season.
• Be a trusted partner to the development teams in Asia and our oversea production sites.


• ACCOUNTABILITY
• Maintain calendar/timelines/deadlines that result in timely completion of each product and/or collection
• Use your strong design knowledge to partner with your product teams.
• Answer critique with a curious mindset – propose alternative options after more design exploration.
• Have a strong understanding of the design jet stream to keep informed on what’s trending and how this may influence our design.
• Apply your knowledge of prototyping and ability to use handmade models to demonstrate proof of ideas.
• Conduct factory visits once or twice a year to gain insights and maintain a high level of understanding of the footwear manufacturing process.
• Travel as necessary to Asia, Europe, trade shows, races, retailers, or other external events.

Qualifications:

• 4-year college or university degree in industrial, graphics, apparel or footwear design, an equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be substituted for degree
• 5+ years of experience creating color/material/textile programs and future vision in a retail/manufacturing environment.
• Thorough knowledge of art and design with clear understanding of visual design or any design-related environment
• Proven experience creating and leading the execution of vision and strategy
• Ability to understand design concepts and think conceptually
• Ability to understand design conceptually across product categories
• Ability to create designs that meet category needs and commercial opportunities
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, ever changing work environment
• Ability to build and foster relationships in a team environment. This position requires employee to engage with many stakeholders, as well as manage various information and relationships
• Ability and desire to push themselves, others, and the brand forward.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with key business partners
• Keen attention to detail in planning, organization, and execution of tasks (self and through others), while still seeing the big picture and understanding how all the pieces fit together and affect one another.
• Demonstration of innovation and initiative – always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details and help wherever necessary.
• Passionate participation in Brooks’ sports activities is a plus, overridden by the ability to understand and empathize with the runner to develop loyal, engaging relationships with our customers and the Brooks community.
• Mastery of Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop
• Competent using Apple Mac Operating system
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.)
• 3D is not required, but a plus
• Embraces and lives the Brooks values!
• Travel 10% (Domestically/Internationally)