Lead Materials Designer, Energy - Converse

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for an outstanding Lead Material Designer who combines creative vision, technical expertise, strategic thinking, and strong leadership to help shape the future of Material Design at Converse.

The ideal candidate is an independent creative leader with a strong point of view on material innovation, consumer needs, cultural relevance, and footwear material design and construction. Through ongoing research, deep consumer connection, and a strong understanding of fashion industry trends, this designer balances the art and science of material design and trend forecasting to identify meaningful patterns that inform global direction. They thrive on solving complex design challenges, translating insights into compelling product narratives and material solutions that elevate the consumer experience, deliver both performance benefit and emotional connection, and bring a keen eye for detail to premium expressions on existing silhouettes.

The ideal candidate:

• Brings a portfolio that demonstrates excellence in material design, textile design, footwear design, or related product design disciplines

• Has 4+ years of relevant experience in material design, textile design, footwear design, or a related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience, and training.

• Demonstrates a deep understanding of fashion trends, footwear and fashion culture, consumer insights, and lifestyle product creation

• Has experience developing innovative material concepts from ideation through commercialization

• Translates consumer insights into compelling narratives and product solutions

• Understands how manufacturing processes can unlock new opportunities for material innovation

• Demonstrates strong craftsmanship through material exploration, sample creation, and prototyping

• Operates as a proactive and highly collaborative partner across functions

• Is highly organized, self-directed, and able to effectively prioritize across multiple work streams

• Thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment

• Brings a passion for sustainability, innovation, and the future of sport

To be considered, you must submit a design portfolio.

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

As a Lead Material Designer, you will remain closely connected to footwear culture and fashion trend insights, leading the curation and development of innovative material concepts across key collaborator and licensing lifestyle products. Your work will span the full product creation journey, from concept development and material storytelling through commercialization and manufacturing execution. You will create materials that address consumer needs while elevating product expression through texture, finish, construction, and innovation.

A typical day may include trend research, material concept development, cross functional team collaboration, sample reviews, prototype evaluations, narrative development, and cross-functional working sessions with design and development teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create original, industry-leading material concepts for lifestyle footwear collections

• Develop material trend insights into seasonal narratives, consumer insights, and product performance goals

• Translate consumer, athlete, and cultural insights into innovative material solutions

• Explore and implement new material constructions, finishes, textures, and manufacturing techniques

• Build and refine material palettes that elevate product expression across multiple franchises and product tiers

• Partner with Design, Colour, Graphics, and Development teams to ensure cohesive product storytelling

• Collaborate directly with manufacturing partners to achieve material quality, feasibility, and execution excellence

• Create, evaluate, and refine physical prototypes, mock-ups, and material samples

• Drive innovation through material exploration while balancing performance, cost, manufacturability, and sustainability goals

• Contribute to both immediate seasonal product creation and long-term material innovations

• Lead presentations and communicate design intent to internal and external stakeholders

• Influence and align cross-functional teams around material strategy and creative direction

We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.

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