China - Senior Designer, China

We are looking for a highly adaptable and market-sensitive Senior Footwear Designer to drive product development across diverse price tiers and targeted consumer segments for Clarks China.

Gain and leverage in-depth knowledge of market trends, target consumers and the Clarks brand to deliver seasonal product concepts/designs to achieve brand proposition, category strategy and support the achievement of business performance objectives.

Balance core brand design with agile local sourcing—including identifying and curated high-potential supplier/market styles—to rapidly capture emerging market trends and deliver highly commercial footwear ranges.

Support Category Director/Product Lead in delivering product strategy and associated product performance targets.

Main Job Responsibilities:

• Insights and input

1. Actively research design themes and concepts based on the brand’s story and identification of market needs and future trends to determine key looks for brand interpretation and seasonality.
2. Actively seek inspiration for innovation in footwear design and development and recommend relevant, consumer-driven progressive and innovative merchandise to Clarks.
3. Gain and leverage in-depth knowledge of market trends, target consumers and the Clarks brand to develop design direction, concept development and product design ideas.
4. Profound knowledge of shoe construction, last, mold, silhouette, craftsmanship, technology and materials.

• Product design

1. Work with Product Owner to develop color and material strategies for seasonal development.
2. Develop a development calendar to create seasonal and market-ready product concepts/designs based on specific design briefs and category strategies.
3. Integrate brand stories into product design to ensure differentiated product propositions to consumers.
4. Tiered & Segmented Design: Develop tailored footwear lines across various price points (entry, mid, premium) and distinct consumer demographics, ensuring commercial balance and brand fit.
5. Follow the established business framework when designing products, cooperate with production, materials and other related departments to ensure that the design is within the target cost range to ensure that the gross profit margin target is achieved.
6. Work with product engineers, last experts to develop last and unit designs to ensure delivery of agreed product specifications.
   • Pay attention to and manage important matters in product design, R&D and delivery (product life cycle)
   1. Seasonal development delivered on time
   2. Cost design
   3. Feeding allowance
   4. Adoption Rate
   5. Product life cycle management
   6. Agile and flexible design pace

   Others (in addition to the main job responsibilities mentioned above)

   • Execute and complete the work, projects and tasks required and assigned by the company
   • Develop and implement systems, processes and procedures to optimize operations and ensure achievement of objectives;

   • Professional Experience:

     Design qualifications at degree level or equivalent similar industry experience

     Experience in the shoe design and manufacturing process

     Very good artistic skills including drawing, eye for color and knowledge of textures and fabrics

     Very good computer-aided design (CAD) skills

     Have a good understanding of podiatry and biomechanics

     Other Experiences:

     Have a good understanding of fashion trends

     Have a good understanding of the Clarks product development process

     Highly flexible, decisive, and thriving in a fast-paced environment with short lead times

     Good purchasing knowledge

     Cost design experience

     Communication & Analytical Skills

     Decision making and problem solving skills

     Job Requirements

     Educational background/major: University

     Language Requirements:

     Fluent in Mandarin and professional working proficiency in English.