Color Design Manager - Footwear

Location: Portland

This job is with lululemon, an inclusive employer and a member of my Gwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Description & Requirements                                                                                                       who we are
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.

about this team
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.

core responsibilities
Lead the color vision for lululemon footwear, translating cultural, aesthetic and global guest trends into strategic color narratives in collaboration with senior leadership.
Create and manage seasonal footwear color palettes that complement apparel assortments ensuring a cohesive and elevated seasonal expression informed by footwear expertise.
Develop and drive cohesive color stories across performance and lifestyle footwear that align with the brand's creative and business strategies.
Partner with the cross-functional team to deliver compelling visual assets and execute color across materials considering fabric, finish and treatment to advance product innovation and support seasonal storytelling.
Support the Director strategically by creating decks and Miro boards to present and share color concepts for the line plan.
Remain hands-on in mainline design work collaborating closely with the color design team and leading by example to ensure creative excellence.
Lead and develop a team of designers to excel both creatively and professionally. Partner with the Director to recruit, train and mentor talent supporting employee growth through performance management and career pathing.
Manage and assign seasonal workloads in partnership with the Director establishing efficient workflows, milestones and timelines to support GTM (go-to-market) milestones and ensure timely delivery.
Collaborate closely with Material, Product design, Merchandising and Development partners to strengthen creative alignment and execution across categories.

qualifications
Minimum 8 years of experience
BA, BFA or BS in Design required (or equivalent)
Proficient in Adobe Suite (In Design, Illustrator, Photoshop)
Design Skills - To creatively conceptualize, design and apply aesthetically pleasing color systems, that are uniquely lululemon, using a blend of artistic vision, technical expertise and industry / Footwear Color 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…