Manager, Product Design CTM - Converse

Become part of the Converse Team

Converse is a place to explore potential, break barriers and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At Converse, it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving world to make things better as a team.

As the pace of the global consumer is rapidly changing all around the world, the Converse RPC looks to create inspiring products closer to the consumer. Deepening consumer connection and operating with speed, the GC (Greater China) RPC team aims to serve consumers with speed and specificity with a focus.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for a FTW Designer who will work with a cross-functional team of design, product management, and development partners. The ideal candidate is an experienced level creator who understands and learns how to deliver stories and style. Through the design of footwear, this role will lead the design team to create industry-leading footwear franchise/collections that connect with local consumer expression through authentic local narratives. The candidate will craft unique work with FTW franchise, Colour and Graphic Design in conjunction with Materials, Trims and Details to create highly covetable products that connect creators * in the local market. They have an eye for detail and motivation to craft premium products. This role has a unique opportunity to drive hyperlocal narrative and a holistic vision for style that resonates with Sports, Streetwear and Lifestyle consumers in the Greater China geography.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

This designer will work with their cross-functional partners to understand the needs of the consumer and create an inspiring product narrative using market trends and local cultural insights. They will be part of the creative process to create a vision by telling unique hyperlocal stories that resonate with Sports, Streetwear and Lifestyle consumers. They will lead the design team to make world-class footwear expressions by creating new franchises, using Graphic and Colour Design in collaboration with Materials, Trim and Development experts.

As an experienced level designer, they will lead the design team in preparation of materials for communication and presentation of design concepts to internal and external audiences and lead the team to create tools (CADs/design tech pack/graphic schematics etc.) for product development, legal approval, and archive integrity.

If this sounds like you, you’ll be working with the Converse RPC team to design compelling footwear products that bring energy to local markets.

Day-to-day tasks include – consumer and trend research, understanding and leading the design process, communicating design intent through presentations and mood boards, sketching and exploration, collaboration with other designers, design reviews, product CAD and tech pack creation.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH

You will be working with GC geography experts in marketing, Merchandising, product development and Channel teams. You will collaborate with functional experts and leadership in Colour, Material, Graphic and Footwear Product Design across various parts of the business.

WHAT YOU BRING

Requirements:

• BA/associate degree in Product Design, Industrial Design or related field preferred
• 8+ years relevant work experience in Product Design, Graphic Design, Colour Design, or Fashion Design
• Portfolio of work to show creative ability
• Strong passion for research and gathering cultural and market insights
• Effective communicator and collaborator with cross-functional partners
• Awareness of the Nike brand, its design ethos, and its cultural relevance
• Professional working English for day-to-day work. Bilingual is a plus
• Proven ability to create concepts, iterate and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary product and creative team.
• Connection to contemporary art & design, sport and streetwear trends
• Demonstrated ability to prioritise work and handle multiple projects and timelines
• Basic ability to apply and perform colour and graphic design skills, including drawing/sketching, typography, ideation, colour theory, use of texture, spacing, and scale, visual presentation development and layout that is supported by a portfolio of non-computer-based creative art and graphic design
• Computer literate using Mac platforms with a high digital design acumen in design-based software (Creative Suite)
• Experience with 3D and AI Design tools is not required, but is a plus
• Ability to travel 20% (domestic and international).

Converse is more than a company; it’s a worldwide advocate for self-expression. This belief motivates our employees, permeates our working environment and inspires our products. No two of us look or think exactly alike. We are each one-of-a-kind. Individually and as a culture, we have the freedom to create and grow professionally. Generous benefits packages only sweeten the experience. From Boston to Shanghai, from Brand Design to Finance, Converse is a brand that celebrates the unique and creative people of the world. Together, we’re different.