Senior Designer - Footwear Performance

Lululemon Athletica Inc•Portland, OR

45d•Hybrid

About The Position

lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people. As a world class design team, we are at the forefront of the industry in creating transformative products and experiences for our guests. We establish the Footwear Creative Direction for our brand. Through a deep understanding of guests needs, cultural references and science of feel solutions, we create innovative products that address our guests' unmet needs. We drive excellence by establishing a strong connection between design, innovation and raw materials. We create products distinguished by their silhouettes, fit, function and style. Our team works collaboratively between the color design, material design, footwear design and 3D design functions. We are dedicated to cultivating a culture of continuous learning and growth, where Designers are empowered to push boundaries and unleash their full potential.

Requirements

5+ years of experience
BA, BFA or BS in Design required (or equivalent)
Proficient in Adobe Suite (In Design, Illustrator, Photoshop)
Experience in Performance running footwear.
Present a portfolio that demonstrates product design process.
Point of View - Energized to move the industry and Brand forward. Not afraid of pushing visual and technical capabilities. Not afraid of failing if necessary.
Design Skills - To creatively conceptualize, design and apply functional materials, that are uniquely lululemon, using a blend of artistic vision, technical expertise and industry / Footwear Material knowledge.
Communication - Clearly articulate design ideas and concepts to the team, stakeholders and cross functional partners, both verbally and visually.
Aesthetic Intelligence - Understand and appreciate the nuances of design. Inspired by and aware of the global fashion/art/design landscape.
Innovative Thinking - Generate new ideas, processes and solutions that push the boundaries of product creation.
Global Market Understanding and Brand Alignment - Translate global fashion trends and consumer behaviors into designs that align and enhance brand's identity and reputation.
Delegation & Project Management - Organize and set priorities and effectively delegate tasks and responsibilities to empower Designers to produce high quality work, in accordance with GTM milestones.
Team Building & Collaboration - fostering a sense of unity, shared purpose and an innovative environment where team members feel valued and contribute ideas.
Coaching & Mentoring - Offering guidance and feedback to help team members grow and develop, providing constructive feedback to improve performance.
Vision & Enrollment - Sharing ideas in a way that inspires action and articulates an inspiring picture of what the team can achieve.

Responsibilities

Apply senior level footwear design expertise from concept through commercialization for performance Running and Training footwear utilizing insights, connecting inspiration and obsessing solutions.
Research and synthesize global cultural, aesthetic and sport trends, athlete feedback and market data to inform briefs and seasonal direction.
Research and stay informed on relevant performance insights, tools, technologies and consumer insights related to Running and Training. Collate findings, identify patterns and draw conclusions.
Sketch, render and iterate to solve product innovation needs, build compelling stories and clearly communicate design intent
Design performance features including foam systems, plates, rocker geometry, flex patterns, stability solutions and traction specific solutions for running and training.
Collaborate with Materials, Color and 3D teams to bring concepts to life balancing performance, durability and aesthetics.
Create complete tech packs that support 2D sketches with clear communication as well as other supportive visualization tools.
Collaborate with Color Designers to strategize launch colors and blocking strategies.
Manage multiple projects across overlapping seasons owning timelines, gates and deliverables to meet calendar milestones.
Meet and connect with cross-functional partners to ensure your development partners are clear on design intent. Generate design revisions and redlines to maintain the development and production calendar needs.
Mentor Junior team members to develop skills and build functional expertise. Support the Director in pulling the team together and fostering a collaborative and creative environment.