Lead Design CORE Apparel Men

PUMA SE; Deutschland; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

PUMA SE invites an experienced senior designer to drive core design directions and elevate product quality. You will own the CORE plan, translate seasonal trends, and ensure a consistent brand message across all ranges and price points.

The role requires extensive apparel design experience with leading brands, strong fabric/tech knowledge, and fluency in English. Located in Germany, it offers exciting opportunities to push design and storytelling in a global sport lifestyle company.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Design or a relevant field of study.
• 8+ years designing apparel for leading brands, ideally in high-volume ranges.
• Ability to evolve a collection with trend-right newness and commercial appeal.
• Strong material and construction expertise; elevate fabric and finish.
• Franchise and range-architecture thinking for brand consistency.
• Proficient with Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Vizcom, etc.
• Excellent technical background in fabrics and product development.
• Strategic and creative thinking with initiative and passion.
• Consumer-focused mindset, detail-oriented with strong time management.
• Strong communication, presentation and storytelling abilities.
• Fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Keep the collection contemporary, desirable, and commercially relevant.
• Co-own the annual CORE design plan and translate trends into a new collection.
• Elevate the range with material, construction, and detailing improvements.
• Develop franchise setup to deliver one Brand message across range and price.
• Ensure design content quality and integrity to reinforce PUMA's position.
• Gather market insights and apply trends to materials and directions.
• Integrate design and technical developments into prototypes and factory visits.
• Deliver projects on the development calendar with accurate data in systems.

Skills

Fluent in English

Presentation skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Storytelling

Time management

Creative thinker

Education

Bachelor's degree in Design or relevant field

Tools

Illustrator

InDesign

Photoshop

Vizcom

Job description

SPEED & SPIRIT is what we look for in our candidates, defined by some simple values that inspire us to BE DRIVEN in our performance, BE VIBRANT in our sporting legacy, BE TOGETHER in our team spirit, and to let our individual talent and experience shine.

YOUR MISSION

• Keeping it contemporary, desirable and commercially relevant as the foundation that carries the Brand's stories across the full distribution
• Co-own the annual CORE design plan and translate seasonal trend direction into a contemporary, desirable collection that delivers business targets and category objectives, evolving the range through trend-right newness
• Elevate the collection through material, construction and detail, building genuine functionality into fabric choice, engineering and finishing to lift product quality and perceived value across a volume range
• Strategically develop and steward the franchise and range set-up so CORE delivers one consistent Brand message across the full line and price architecture
• Ensure the quality and integrity of design content to reinforce PUMA's brand position and generate consumer demand, working with a consumer-first mindset
• Gather, interpret and apply market and trend insights keeping the team current on directions, materials and cultural shifts
• Integrate product and technical developments into design independently, meeting functionality requirements through material and construction and travel to factories to finalize prototypes
• Deliver all projects in line with the PUMA development calendar and keep design information accurate and up to date in the data systems.

YOUR TALENT

• Bachelor's degree in Design or a relevant field of study.
• At least 8 years designing apparel for one or more leading sports & lifestyle brands, ideally including high-volume or core ranges.
• Proven ability to evolve a collection through trend-right newness and keep it commercially desirable
• Strong material and construction expertise + able to elevate product and engineer functionality into fabric, build and detail.
• Franchise and range-architecture thinking: able to structure a line so it carries a consistent Brand message across range and price.
• Professional working experience with Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Vizcom etc.
• Excellent technical background relating to fabrics and product development.
• Both strategic and creative thinking, strong initiative, passionate about product.
• Vertical mindset with the consumer at the centre.
• Attention to detail and extraordinary time-management skills
• Strong communication, presentation and storytelling skills
• Fluent in English

PUMA provides equal opportunities for all job applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Equality for all is one of the core principles at PUMA and we do not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination.

At PUMA, every application is reviewed by real people who are committed to fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity - no matter your background, identity, or experience. To ensure our process stays true to these values, no automated systems or AI tools are used to make hiring decisions. Every decision is made by real people -with real judgment and accountability. We may use functions supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to carry out isolated organizational steps, such as scheduling interviews. These functions have no influence on decisions in the application process. We believe in creating spaces where everyone is welcome, celebrated, and empowered to contribute authentically. Because at PUMA, whoever wants to play, can play.

PUMA is a global sports brand creating footwear, apparel, and accessories that inspire athletes and everyday movers. The PUMA Group owns PUMA, Cobra Golf, and stichd, operates in 120+ countries, and has around 22,000 employees worldwide. 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. PUMA supports over 21,000 employees across 120+ countries. The PUMA Group owns the brand PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany.