OluKai Director of Color, Graphics, & Materials (CGM)
About The Position
The Director of Color, Graphics & Materials (CGM) is responsible for shaping the visual identity of the OluKai footwear portfolio. This role sets the seasonal and long-range direction for color, materials, and graphics across all categories, ensuring every product reflects our brand ethos of comfort, craft, quality, and modern Hawaiian inspiration. This leader will guide a team, integrate closely with Product Designers, and manage a roster of external creative partners. The ideal candidate brings a refined aesthetic, deep material and color expertise, a strong command of graphic language, and a track record of leading teams to deliver elevated, brand-right design solutions. This role requires a deep understanding of color theory, trends, and materials to create compelling and market-relevant color stories that resonate with our customers. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the footwear industry, a strong portfolio showcasing innovative color designs
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Fashion, Graphic Design, Material Design, or related field.
- 10+ years of experience in color, materials, graphics, or product design, ideally in footwear or consumer products.
- 3+ years of leadership experience managing creative teams.
- Proven experience integrating CGM direction with product design and development.
- Demonstrated ability to manage external creative talent and vendor partners.
- Strong portfolio showcasing sophisticated color work, graphic language, and deep material knowledge.
- Expertise in color theory, material construction, material sourcing, trend forecasting, and graphic design.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and related design tools; familiarity with 3D tools is a plus.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling skills.
- Strong project management and organization skills; ability to balance multiple projects and deadlines.
- Passion for product creation with exceptional attention to detail and refinement.
Responsibilities
- Develop and drive the holistic creative strategy for seasonal color palettes, material stories, and graphic direction across all footwear lines.
- Lead the concepting and execution of color, graphic, and material narratives that support brand storytelling, seasonal concepts, and collaboration capsules.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of color, materials, and graphic designers.
- Partner closely with Product Designers to ensure CGM direction enhances and elevates product concepts through all phases of creation.
- Collaborate with Development and materials vendorrs to balance creative vision with manufacturability, cost, durability, and lead times.
- Work with Merchandising to align CGM strategy with assortment needs, franchise extensions, and consumer demand.
- Partner with Brand on early storytelling, visual expression, and alignment of palette/graphic direction with campaign moments.
- Direct external creative partners, illustrators, and material specialists, including brief creation, feedback loops, and delivery expectations.
- Present seasonal CGM direction, mood boards, and design rationale to internal leadership and cross-functional partners.
- Maintain and evolve CGM libraries, digital tools, workflows, and documentation.
Benefits
- Complimentary chef prepared breakfast and lunch provided Monday - Thursday
- Generous product gift program and all brand discounts
- Growth opportunities within the Archipelago family of brands: OluKai, Kaenon, Melin, Roark
- Company bonus program
- 5 year and 10 year Anniversary gifts to Hawaii and other desirable destinations
- Medical, Dental, Vision insurance in accordance with plan guidelines
- Company paid life insurance
- 401k with employer match in accordance with plan guidelines
- 15 Days of PTO plus one additional day of PTO every year on your anniversary and 3 Floating Holidays per year
- Paid beach and giveback days, bi annual team building events and other in person celebrations
- Work with talented and great people who share a love of the ocean lifestyle
- OluKai is a Certified B Corporation with paid company service days
- Dog friendly office
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
