Assistant Manager, Concept Design SEAO

PUMA Sports Goods Sdn Bhd; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

PUMA Sports Goods Sdn Bhd is seeking an experienced Retail Design Lead to translate brand direction into scalable store environments across SEAO. You will guide concept development, visualisation, and governance, collaborating with STORE Design, GRE and regional teams.

Required are 5+ years in retail/interior design, strong AutoCAD/SketchUp and rendering tool proficiency, and fluent English and local languages. This role focuses on strategic formats, prototypes, and cross-market adaptability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Spatial Design, Industrial Design or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in retail, interior, or experiential design with concept development experience.
• Strong proficiency in AutoCAD and SketchUp; experience with rendering tools (V-Ray, Lumion, Enscape).
• Good working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and MS PowerPoint.
• English and local languages spoken.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and evolution of SEAO retail concepts, including special formats and strategic initiatives.
• Prepare concept proposals, mood boards, material palettes and spatial zoning options.
• Coordinate with country teams, GRE and stakeholders to ensure brand alignment and feasibility.
• Develop design guidelines, references, material schedules and implementation principles.
• Lead reviews, handovers and post-project learnings to improve budgeting and processes.

Skills

Conceptual design

Client briefing

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Spatial Design, Industrial Design

Tools

AutoCAD

SketchUp

V-Ray

Lumion

Enscape

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

PowerPoint

Job description

The role is responsible for developing and translating PUMA’s retail concept design direction into distinctive, commercially relevant and scalable store environments across SEAO. It will lead the design development of special concepts, concept evolution and strategic design projects, working closely with the Teamhead Store Design, Senior Head Project & Design, country Project Managers, Retail, Visual Merchandising, Merchandising and Global Retail Environment (GRE). The role combines creative thinking with technical and commercial discipline, ensuring concepts are aligned with PUMA brand principles, customer experience, operational needs, cost parameters and practical implementation requirements. Routine country store design documentation remains coordinated with the existing Store Design team.

Your Mission

Task 1: Concept Development & Design Innovation

• Lead the development and evolution of retail concepts and design directions across SEAO, including special concepts, new store formats, temporary environments and strategic retail initiatives.
• Translate business briefs, customer insights, brand direction and commercial objectives into clear concept narratives, design principles and spatial experiences.
• Develop concept proposals, mood boards, material palettes, colour strategies, fixture approaches, customer journeys and spatial zoning options.
• Explore innovative, flexible and scalable design solutions that support different store sizes, channels and market requirements.
• Monitor retail, design, material and customer-experience trends and translate relevant insights into concept recommendations.
• Ensure concept proposals remain aligned with PUMA brand identity and GRE direction; identify any required exceptions for formal review and approval.

Task 2: Concept Visualization, Design Development & Presentation

• Prepare and oversee high-quality 2D layouts, elevations, 3D models, renderings and presentation materials to communicate design intent.
• Develop design options and visualizations for flagship, strategic, pilot and special-format projects in collaboration with the Store Design team.
• Translate approved concept direction into design guidelines, reference details, material schedules and implementation principles.
• Present design concepts and recommendations clearly to regional stakeholders and incorporate consolidated feedback into subsequent design iterations.
• Maintain a structured library of concept presentations, approved references, material palettes, visual assets and design development records.

Task 3: Technical Feasibility, Brand Alignment & Design Governance

• Work with country Project Managers and Store Design colleagues to test concept proposals against site constraints, technical feasibility, operational requirements and project budgets.
• Coordinate reviews of materials, finishes, lighting, fixtures, signage and detailing with relevant technical, procurement and GRE stakeholders.
• Ensure design solutions consider durability, maintainability, accessibility, safety, sustainability and ease of implementation.
• Identify design risks, inconsistencies and potential deviations early; recommend solutions and route exceptions through the established approval process.
• Support prototype reviews, mock-ups, sample evaluations and design quality checks before wider rollout. Support post-project cost reviews and capture lessons learned to improve future budgeting accuracy.

Task 4: Strategic Project & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Provide concept design leadership and design support for flagship stores, key launches, pilot projects and other management-priority initiatives.
• Collaborate with Retail, Visual Merchandising, Merchandising, Marketing, Project Management, Procurement and external design partners to align concept intent and business needs.
• Coordinate with country teams to ensure concepts can be adapted appropriately to local market conditions without diluting core brand principles.
• Support project teams during design handover and implementation, clarifying design intent and resolving concept-related queries.
• Capture feedback and post-implementation learnings to inform future concept development and refinement.

Task 5: Process, Knowledge & Capability Development

• Develop repeatable concept design processes, briefing templates, presentation standards and design review checkpoints.
• Support the development of scalable design toolkits and guidance that can be used consistently across SEAO markets.
• Share design knowledge and coach colleagues or external design partners on concept principles, visualization standards and design intent.
• Track concept development milestones, key decisions, feedback and deliverables to maintain transparency and timely progress.

Your Talent

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Spatial Design, Industrial Design or relevant studied.

Professional:

A minimum of 5 years of experience in retail, interior or experiential design. Demonstrated experience developing concepts and translating creative direction into implementable design solutions. Retail store or multi-format concept experience preferred. Experience coordinating with technical, project and commercial stakeholders. Exposure to flagship, pilot or special-format projects is an advantage.

IT Skills:

Strong proficiency in AutoCAD and SketchUp or equivalent 2D / 3D design tools. Proficiency in rendering tools such as V-Ray, Lumion, Enscape or equivalent. Good working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and MS PowerPoint. Ability to prepare high-quality visual presentations and design documentation.

Language Skills:

English and local languages

Founded in 1948, PUMA mission is to become the most desirable sportlifestyle company and to reinforce its position as one of the leading multi-category sportlifestyle brands. By relentlessly innovating to address the real needs of our consumers, by creating new markets, by pushing the boundaries and defining the culture of sportlifestyle we have established our unique brand positioning. At PUMA we fuel an open, entrepreneurial corporate environment that strongly supports innovative ideas from every corner of the company. We foster our unique company values: passion, openness, self-belief and entrepreneurship. And maybe you will soon be part of our team!