Altra: Color Designer II

Altra Running • Denver, CO

7d • $73,440 - $91,800

About The Position

The Color Designer II is part of Altra’s Footwear Design team and drives seasonal color design and execution across the footwear line. The role partners with Design, Product, Merchandising, and Development to bring Altra’s creative vision to life through color solutions. It leads color palette development, creates color CADs and tech packs, researches trends, and supports accurate color execution throughout product creation. The position reports to the Senior Manager, Color, Graphics and Material Design.

The designer develops seasonal color proposals and palettes, translates brand principles and visual language onto physical footwear, and creates presentations for internal and external audiences. The role coordinates with cross-functional partners to meet merchandising goals, price targets, testing standards, and product-development timelines; reviews samples and communicates changes; and ensures color applications are achievable given material choices, finishes, and construction limitations. The position requires an understanding of color technology, color effects, and footwear production processes, along with the ability to adapt designs to feedback and deliver projects according to Altra’s development calendar.

Altra offers development and growth opportunities, competitive compensation, and a benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k). This position is eligible for additional compensation awards, which may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. The hiring range is $73,440 to $91,800 annually.

Requirements

• 3–4 years of experience and professional achievements.
• Ability to work well with others as a team member.
• Passion for storytelling and ability to translate narratives onto physical products.
• Strong understanding of color theory and its application to performance footwear.
• Love of sport, curiosity about athlete insights, and connection to sport-style trends.
• Ability to collaborate with designers and Design Directors to create palettes and color flow based on category color strategy.
• Expert understanding of color technology application, including materials, dyes, finishes, and color achievability.
• Knowledge of footwear construction processes, finishes, materials, and limitations.
• Knowledge of color mixing, color compatibility, and color placement.
• Knowledge of emerging and declining graphic and material trends.
• High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, and in Keynote or PowerPoint.
• Ability to develop effective processes and procedures.
• Ability to identify and predict trends.
• Ability to adapt to feedback and work with it on short notice.

Nice To Haves

• Formal education in a related field.

Responsibilities

• Participate in seasonal color palette building.
• Translate the brand’s creative vision principles and Visual Brand Language onto physical products through color execution.
• Collect current trend information and translate it into tangible, realistic footwear designs.
• Take calculated creative risks and use color to support commercial success and business growth.
• Collaborate with Product, Merchandising, and Development to realize designs, achieve merchandising goals, meet price targets, and meet testing standards.
• Work with Design and Product Development to understand material choices, characteristics, and limitations and ensure accurate color application and execution.
• Create and deliver presentations of seasonal design proposals that communicate the concepts behind the line to internal and external audiences.
• Plan and execute product color details; review samples, troubleshoot achievability issues, and communicate changes clearly to support timely project completion.
• Create accurate color CADs and detailed tech packs to factory standards.
• Deliver projects on time and in line with Altra’s development calendar.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Development and growth opportunities
• Competitive compensation package
• Potential additional compensation awards, which may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed