Footwear Design Manager

Mindlance; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mindlance is seeking a Sr Manager, Footwear Material Design in Beaverton, OR to lead innovative material concepts for sport footwear. You will shape design direction, collaborate with design, color, and product teams, and push forward new materials and manufacturing approaches on strategic projects.

The role emphasizes translating consumer insights into compelling narratives, leveraging youth culture and trends, and delivering product excellence through integrated design, development, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in design or related field required.
• 8 years of relevant design experience in advancing material design.
• Master's degree accepted; equivalent combinations allowed.
• Ability to translate consumer insights into compelling product narratives.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and presentation tools.
• Experience with cross-functional collaboration across design, product, and manufacturing.
• Strong storytelling and leadership potential.

Responsibilities

• Lead material design direction and concept development.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across design, color, and product management.
• Translate consumer insights into trend-driven material narratives.
• Create compelling presentations and mood boards for seasonal concepts.
• Partner with manufacturing to ensure design intent and execution.

Skills

Concept creation

Mood boards

Footwear product creation

Adobe Creative Suite

Manufacturing collaboration

Presentation skills

People leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in design

Master's degree accepted

Or equivalent education/experience

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Keynote/PowerPoint

Miro

Gravity Sketch

CLO

Job description

Job Title: Sr Manager, Footwear Material Design

Location: Beaverton, OR

Duration: 6 Months

Type: Full-Time, Contract

Description:

We're looking for a Sr Manager, Footwear Material Design to combine their experience, problem solving abilities, and creativity to help build the future of Sport Footwear Material Design. The ideal candidate will elevate the consumer product experience by seamlessly integrating art, science, and streetwear culture into Sport leaning products. In this role, you will foster a deep emotional connection to our products by crafting compelling narratives and storytelling through innovative material concepts.

As the Sr Manager, Footwear Material Design, you will collaborate closely with leadership and cross-functional teams—including Footwear Product Designers, Color Design, Developers, and Product Line Managers to advance innovative materials and manufacturing approaches on strategic projects. Your focus will be on shaping design direction and dimensional strategy, elevating existing materials, and pioneering new material concepts. As a recognized expert at both the product and collection level, you will translate consumer insights into compelling, trend and performance driven narratives. Success in this position depends on integrating design, development, and manufacturing to achieve product excellence. By leveraging research and a deep understanding of youth culture, color trends, fashion, art, and sports, you will help position the brand at the forefront of material innovation.

On a day-to-day basis, you'll work closely with your design partners in product design, color design, and graphic design. You will also work cross-functionally with your technical and material development partners, product management, and merchandising teams.

Top 5-7 Skills:

• Concept creation and exploring material innovations and technologies
• Building inspiration presentations and mood boards for seasonal concepts
• Understanding of the Footwear Product Creation process
• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Collaborating with manufacturing partners to ensure design intent and material execution

Requirements for the role:

• Bachelor's degree in design or equivalent education, experience, or training
• 8 years of relevant design experience in advancing material design, textile design, or footwear design
• Bachelor's degree in design, art, or related field (fashion, product, industrial, accessory, footwear, or textile design); Master's degree accepted, Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training
• Ability to interpret consumer insights and translate them into compelling product narratives
• Skilled in concept creation and exploring material innovations and technologies
• Experience building inspiration presentations and mood boards for seasonal concepts
• Understanding of the Footwear Product Creation process
• Experience collaborating with manufacturing partners to ensure design intent and material execution
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Experienced with presentation programs: Keynote, PowerPoint, Acrobat, Miro etc.
• Ability to ideate using digital platforms (Gravity Sketch, CLO a plus)
• Experience creating 3D samples and hand mockups (a plus)
• Strong presentation skills for small and large groups
• Collaborative, positive, good listener, receptive to candid feedback and diverse points of view
• Passion for design, culture, and design excellence
• Highly organized and self-sufficient
• Speaks up with courage for self and the team
• Passion for and desire to learn people leadership

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in design or equivalent education, experience, or training
• 8 years of relevant design experience in advancing material design, textile design, or footwear design
• Or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training

Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans.