Altra: Color Designer II, Footwear
About The Position
As part of Altra's Footwear Design team, the Color Designer II 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 ensures accurate color execution throughout the product creation process. The position reports to the Senior Manager, Color, Graphics and Material Design. The Color Designer II translates brand vision and visual language into footwear designs, develops seasonal proposals, and works across teams to meet merchandising goals, price targets, testing standards, and the development calendar. The role reviews samples, resolves achievability issues, and communicates changes to support timely project completion. The position calls for 3–4 years of experience and strong knowledge of color theory, color technology, footwear construction, materials, and trends, along with proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Keynote or PowerPoint. Altra offers development and growth opportunities, competitive compensation, and benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k). The role is eligible for additional compensation awards, with details provided during recruiting and interviews.
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.
- Passion for 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, materials, dyes, finishes, and color achievability.
- Knowledge of footwear construction processes, finishes, materials, and limitations.
- Knowledge of color mixing, color compatibility, and color placement.
- Highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, and in Keynote or PowerPoint.
- Ability to adapt to and work with feedback on short notice.
Responsibilities
- Participate in seasonal color palette building.
- Translate the brand’s creative vision and visual brand language into compelling color executions on physical products.
- Collect current trend information and translate it into tangible, realistic footwear designs.
- Take calculated risks with color, push boundaries, and support commercial 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 line concept to internal and external audiences.
- Plan and execute product color details; review samples, troubleshoot achievability issues, and communicate changes to support timely project completion.
- Apply knowledge of color technology, materials, dyes, finishes, and color achievability to achieve desired effects.
- Produce accurate color CADs and detailed factory-standard tech packs.
- Deliver projects on time and in line with Altra's development calendar.
- Collaborate with designers and Design Directors on palettes and color flow based on category color strategy.
- Develop effective processes and procedures.
- Identify and predict trends.
- Adapt to feedback and work with it on short notice.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Development and growth opportunities
- Competitive compensation package
- Eligible for additional compensation awards, potentially including an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
