Global Design Director, Bataworks Studio

Bata Group; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Bata is seeking a visionary Design Leader to craft a distinctive Bata look across Men, Women and Kids. You will read global trends and turn insights into elegant, contemporary collections that are affordable and built to last.

You will build and coach a high-performing global design team, while collaborating with Product Development, Sourcing, Commercial and Marketing to ensure consistency from concept to store shelf across markets. Extensive international travel is expected.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in footwear, fashion or lifestyle design with a portfolio showing distinctive language and commercial success.
• Proven experience shaping or transforming a brand’s design identity.
• Passion for stylish, accessible footwear with quality at affordable price points.
• Strong sense of global trends and youth culture across markets.
• Track record building, inspiring and growing design teams.
• Hands-on experience with factories and development teams, with willingness to travel widely.

Responsibilities

• Define the Bata look and establish design codes and language for a distinctive signature.
• Design style for the masses that balances price with style, comfort and quality.
• Translate global trends into actionable design direction and briefs for teams.
• Lead, coach and develop the global design team and build a studio culture.
• Travel regularly to India and China to collaborate with factories and PD teams.
• Create Bata lasts, soles and components to ensure recognizable design across collections.
• Partner with Product Management, Merchandising and Regional teams to maintain a coherent global design with local relevance.
• Collaborate with PD, Sourcing, Commercial and Marketing across regions to align on goals and timing.
• Own the design process and calendar with clear milestones from brief to store.

Skills

Footwear design

Brand building

Team leadership

Global trends

Factory collaboration

Cost awareness

Job description

Bata is seeking a visionary Design Leader to craft a distinctive Bata look across Men, Women and Kids. You will read global trends and turn insights into elegant, contemporary collections that are affordable and built to last.

You will build and coach a high-performing global design team, while collaborating with Product Development, Sourcing, Commercial and Marketing to ensure consistency from concept to store shelf across markets. Extensive international travel is expected.