Associate Design Director, Luggage

Responsibilities

• You’ll execute and contribute to the design and innovation strategy for core luggage product lines, evolving existing platforms while identifying whitespace opportunities for future growth
• You’ll manage the luggage design strategy in executing seasonal creative direction and long-term category goals, in close alignment with the VP and Senior Design leadership
• You’ll translate consumer insights, travel behaviors, and market trends into scalable, production‑ready design systems
• You’ll champion elevated product concepts, new functionalities, and disruptive design thinking within the team to push forward product innovation
• You’ll build, manage, and mentor a high‑performing design team, providing tactical creative direction and cultivating a culture of technical excellence
• You’ll deliver against a multi‑year innovation roadmap through focused industrial design exploration, material R&D, construction innovation, and manufacturing collaboration
• You’ll evaluate and implement new materials, finishes, and component systems that support performance, durability, sustainability, and brand differentiation
• You’ll partner closely with Product Development and Engineering teams to bridge the gap between design intent, technical feasibility, and manufacturing execution
• You’ll manage and continuously improve material libraries, innovation references, prototyping systems, and AI‑assisted design workflows to support rapid concept iteration
• You’ll identify and execute opportunities to improve weight optimization, repairability, and sustainability, enhancing the overall customer experience
• You’ll manage the end‑to‑end luggage design process from concept development and CAD execution through prototyping, sampling, approvals, and commercialization
• You’ll operationalize scalable workflows, documentation standards, and communication protocols that improve clarity and speed‑to‑market across Design, PD, and overseas manufacturing partners
• You’ll collaborate cross‑functionally with Merchandising, Brand, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to ensure design integrity and category health throughout production
• You’ll participate in global travel and supplier engagement to drive innovation, sourcing, manufacturing alignment, and competitive research

• You have at least 7 years of industrial design experience (luggage, technical soft goods, or hard goods) with a proven track record of supervising/mentoring design talent and supporting successful product launches
• You possess an advanced understanding of complex product construction, material R&D, and manufacturing processes, with an interest or experience in leveraging emerging technologies (like AI tools) to optimize team workflows
• You’re highly proficient in Fusion 360, Key Shot, and Adobe Creative Suite, with the ability to guide and upskill direct reports in these tools
• You’re exceptional sketching and 3D visualization skills, with the ability to clearly translate complex design concepts to cross‑functional partners and present project directions to senior leadership
• You have a strong ability to balance creative ambition with commercial viability and engineering constraints, ensuring your team’s outputs align with category health and business metrics
• You have direct experience working closely with overseas factories and suppliers, ensuring design intent and quality standards are maintained from prototyping through production
• You are genuinely motivated by mentoring designers and transforming the travel experience through thoughtful, functional, and innovative design
• You can travel domestically and internationally (up to 20%) to collaborate with global manufacturing partners and attend industry events
• You’re comfortable working in a design studio setting, which includes extended periods of stationary work at a computer and hands‑on interaction with physical prototypes, material samples, and luggage hardware
• You’re creative and innovative; you love to build great new things that are fresh and unique while staying on brand
• You’re agile, and motivated by a fast‑paced and ever‑changing environment