SMU Footwear Colour Designer

Be part of a movement that moves the world At ASICS, we’re more than just a brand; we're a movement. A movement of movement, propelled by the belief that motion strengthens the body and uplifts the mind. Our name itself, an acronym for "Anima Sana in Corpore Sano" (a Sound Mind in a Sound Body), encapsulates this commitment. Since taking our first step in Japan in 1949, our journey has been about more than just reaching the finish lines or clocking the fastest times.

It's about the joy of moving and it's open to all.

If you're inspired to move yourself and the world toward a brighter, more inclusive future, we're looking for you.

Here at ASICS, we welcome diversity in our people, their backgrounds and life experiences. So, you could be the right person for this role regardless of your age, nationality, religious beliefs, or gender identification.

Located at our EMEA headquarters in Hoofddorp, near Amsterdam, you will join the European Creation Hub, a team that is actively being built. Working closely with our lead footwear designer, footwear colour coordinator, and development partners, you will lead colour and material design for our most strategic key accounts. You will translate account briefs, brand strategy, and market insight into commercially compelling footwear colour and material concepts that win on shelf and resonate with consumers.

This is not a role for someone who wants to follow an established playbook. The team is lean, the momentum is real, and the right person will help shape what world-class SMU colour design looks like at ASICS Europe. With genuine creative latitude within briefs, direct exposure to major key account buyers, and a clear path to becoming the dedicated designer for a strategic account as those relationships deepen, this is a rare opportunity for a commercially minded colour designer who is ready to make their mark from day one.

• Lead colour and material design for key accounts, translating account briefs, brand strategy, and Sportstyle category direction into commercially compelling, on-brand footwear colour and material concepts.
• Manage multiple concurrent key account design projects with structure and discipline: maintaining organised file systems (including SMU VLP documentation), meeting deadlines, and keeping all stakeholders clearly informed throughout.
• Collaborate daily with merchandising, product management, and the development team at ASICS HQ, ensuring creative intent is faithfully carried through into final product across colour, materials, and construction
• Review physical samples against design specifications, prepare clear improvement recommendations, and ensure all product meets quality expectations before client presentation.
• Communicate directly with key account buyers and their teams during design sessions, presenting colour and material concepts with clarity and confidence and incorporating feedback effectively.
• Conduct trend and market research to identify colour and material directions that can inform both key account briefs and the team’s broader creative development work.
• Support the team’s ambition to introduce 3D and digital visualisation into the key account process as an alternative to physical samples, contributing to this transition as the business and tools evolve.
• Contribute actively to shaping the ways of working and culture of a young, growing team, bringing your experience, ideas, and energy to a department that is still writing its playbook.

• Bachelor’s degree in Footwear Design, Industrial Design or a related creative field.
• 3+ years of seasonal colour execution experience with a strong footwear-specific colour design portfolio.
• Deep knowledge of colour theory and footwear material application.
• Commercially oriented, confident working within brand guidelines, client briefs, and key account requirements; able to receive and act on feedback from multiple stakeholders without losing creative quality.
• Highly organised, able to manage a fast-paced, multi-account design workload with structure, clear file management, and consistent…