Director; m​/f​/d Product Design

BIRKENSTOCK is a global brand which embraces all consumers regardless of geography, gender, age and income. The company is deeply footed on a family tradition of shoemaking that can be traced back to 1774. With around 7100 employees worldwide, BIRKENSTOCK is the largest employer in the German footwear industry. To ensure our quality standards, we produce over 95% of our products in Germany and source more than 90% of our materials and components from Europe.

The BIRKENSTOCK Group is headquartered in Linz am Rhein and maintains several locations in Germany, as well as sales offices in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.

• Seasonal Creative Direction and Strategy
  - Leading the seasonal creative ideation and Framework (Colour & Material Concept and strategic category focus), ensuring alignment with brand DNA and market needs.
• Seasonal Briefings
  - Sharp alignment and creatively answering regional business-relevant design briefs from Product line management.
• Seasonal Design Handover KPIs and Debriefings – Ensuring an on-time handover of (technical) design packs to development. Additionally you are leading design debrief seasons together with Product Line Management and Development.
• Product Pipeline Ideation – Creating off-season designs, concepts and ideations in order to constantly develop and own product categories into the future and also secure our brand DNA.
• Team – You will manage and orchestrate a diverse team of designers making sure they follow our core values and build a solid relationship to cross-departments. Performance management will be your key tool set-up the team for success.
• Mentality – You have a hands‑on mentality and take on responsibility & ownership for your respective area/team.

• Degree in footwear design, industrial design, or a related field.
• Advanced Team management skills (min, 5 years of experience)
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in footwear design.
• Proven track record of creating innovative, commercially successful footwear designs.
• Strong knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and technical construction.
• Proficient in design software (e.g. Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, etc).
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.

BIRKENSTOCK offers you all the advantages of a successful, fast growing, global company: dynamic work environment, considerable design freedom, authentic and open corporate culture and excellent development opportunities.