Design Manager, Footwear Performance - H/F

Design Manager, Footwear Performance - H/F

Amer Sports is the global leader in sports equipment with brands Salomon, Arc'teryx, Peak Performance, Atomic, and Wilson.

Salomon SAS, "The Mountain Sport Company," was born in 1947 in the heart of the Alps and the cradle of modern alpinism. With a passion for sports and innovative design, Salomon has created a vast range of new revolutionary concepts in bindings, shoes, skis, and clothing for alpine and Nordic skiing and has provided innovative solutions in footwear and equipment for snowboarding, competition, mountaineering, hiking, trail running, and many other sports.

Through this focus on performance, Salomon innovates and excels in mountain sports, converting new ideas into products and pushing the limits of what is possible. Salomon's commitment, culture, and heritage are all linked by a simple concept: every employee can make Salomon the reference mountain brand. Salomon is committed in a responsible way to the outdoor through its sustainable development program. Diversity is one of Salomon's five values, which is why we are committed to creating an accessible environment for all.

The headquarters of Salomon is based in Annecy (74), France.

Description of the Position

Are you a Footwear Designer who thrives in contact with technical and performance-oriented products? Do you like to transform the real needs of the terrain; running, hiking, trail, into innovative design solutions? Is technicality, functionality, and performance at the heart of your creative approach? And do you have proven experience in managing and inspiring a team of designers?

Then come and bring the Footwear Performance vision to our Softgoods team.

As a Design Manager Footwear, you define, embody, and pilot the Design strategy of your Performance perimeter. You are responsible for the creative vision, artistic direction, and overall coherence of the Footwear collections. You manage and develop a team of designers in a creative international environment in strong transformation.

Your responsibilities:

• Define and pilot the Design strategy
  • Construct and carry a clear, inspiring, and differentiating Design vision.
  • Ensure creative coherence and brand expression across all Footwear projects.
  • Translate business needs and market insights into structured design orientations.
• Pilot the creation process
  • In close collaboration with the Head of Offer:
  • Participate in the elaboration of briefs (concepts, innovations, products).
  • Define the necessary resources: planning, budget, allocation of designers.
  • Organize and animate the Design validation instances.
  • Challenge and guide the teams on 2D/3D creations and color proposals.
• Define and embody the artistic direction
  • Determine the guidelines: shapes, colors, materials, graphics, branding.
  • Inspire the teams through trends, uses, and cultural influences.
  • Ensure the artistic vision in the short and long term.
• Deploy and evolve the Design strategy
  • Supervise the evolution of Footwear lines and their stylistic coherence.
  • Collaborate with 3D and CMF teams.
  • Encourage the integration of modern tools: AI, digital design, innovative workflows.
• Manage and develop the Design team
  • Give the direction, set the priorities, and accompany the individual objectives.
  • Create the conditions for success, encourage initiative and experimentation.
  • Provide regular feedback, develop skills, and value talents.
  • Work in synergy with all Softgoods teams.

Qualifications

• Education: Master in design (Bac +5) appreciated.
• Professional experience
  • 10 years of experience desired in footwear product conception and development.
  • Very good understanding of contemporary design, market dynamics, as well as consumer needs, attitudes, and behaviors.
  • Solid knowledge in technical design and performance-oriented products.
  • Natural connection to the running, hiking, and trail universes.
  • Understanding of the codes, uses, and needs related to sports practice.
  • Comfort in an environment where technicality, functionality, and performance are central.
• Key skills
• Managerial skills
  • Proven experience in direct management of creative teams.
  • Ability to accompany, guide, and develop designers of varying levels.
• Digital transformation and innovative spirit
  • Strong appetite for modern design tools, digital workflows, and innovative design methodologies.
• Languages: Fluent English is indispensable.
• Tools
  • Mastery of the Office Pack.
  • Excellent mastery of design software (2D/3D).

Additional Information

• Contract: Full-time permanent position
• Location: Position based in Annecy
• Mobility/Travel: Ability to travel to our factories in Asia as well as to our key markets (Asia, United States, Europe).