Footwear Designer - Creation Center Portland

purpose & overall relevance for the organization

to design market-relevant products for the nam consumer in partnership with marketing and development.

this role operates within a fast-paced, highly visible creation environment, often working on accelerated timelines outside of traditional development calendars. The designer will combine strong creative execution with strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and ownership to identify and respond quickly to consumer and marketplace opportunities.

this role provides significant exposure to senior leadership and close partnership with sales, merchandising, product, development, and wholesale account partners, creating a strong development opportunity for a designer with future leadership potential.

key responsibilities

• design and develop creative, market-right solutions within a product range and present designs in context of the broader category and business direction.
• implement the creative vision across assigned footwear projects while maintaining the visual language and design standards of adidas.
• own and self-manage the creative process across multiple projects, including work operating on accelerated development timelines.
• collaborate closely with product marketing, development, sales, merchandising, and design to quickly align around opportunities and drive decisions.
• ensure efficient communication and workflow across the cross-functional team for all issues related to assigned ranges and products.
• provide color, material, and graphic support across footwear projects and ranges as business needs require.
• create accurate 2d and 3d tech packs.
• contribute to tech pack handovers, submitting relevant information needed for the development process including 2d and/or 3d sketches, detail callouts, material maps, cads and any supporting artwork.
• present product concepts, design rationale, and product details clearly and confidently to cross-functional partners, senior leadership, and account partners when appropriate.
• demonstrate strong ownership, curiosity, and initiative while contributing to the continued evolution of the team's creative and strategic capabilities.

key relationships

• design director - ccp
• product operations (development, tooling, pattern, testing, and costing)
• color & materials design
• product marketing

knowledge, skills and abilities

• strong understanding of the nam consumer, trends and marketplace.
• strong knowledge and appreciation for performance and lifestyle footwear.
• ownership mentality with the ability to independently drive products from concept through development.
• background in footwear design, industrial design, and/or 3d design.
• ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and adapt quickly to changing business needs.
• strong presentation and communication skills.
• knowledge and use of macintosh computer design software/systems (photoshop, illustrator).
• experience and interest in adopting emerging design technologies such as gravity sketch, vizcom, etc.
• ability to travel nationally and internationally (10-15%).
• fluent in english (spoken and written).

requisite education and experience / minimum qualifications

• bachelor’s degree (b.a.) in design, industrial design, footwear design, fashion design, or related field.
• minimum 3 years of practical experience in a design environment, including footwear, apparel, accessories, industrial design, fashion design, or a related discipline.
• demonstrated experience independently owning design projects and presenting creative work to cross-functional stakeholders.
• adidas celebrates diversity, supportsinclusivenessand encourages individual expression in our workplace. We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to…