Senior, Apparel Designer, Local Creation GC

Become a Part of the NIKE, Inc. Team

NIKE, Inc. does more than outfit the world’s best athletes. It is a place to explore potential, obliterate boundaries and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At NIKE, Inc. it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving game.

Nike Local Creation GC is one of Nike’s fastest-moving product engines, enabling designers to connect quickly and effectively with consumers across Greater China. As part of the Local Creation Design organization, this role focuses on creating inspiring products tailored to local marketplaces and consumer audiences, capturing fast-moving trends and delivering regionally relevant narratives with flexibility and speed. The Local Creation team’s mission is to amplify and incubate new ideas while extending consumer favorites and serving local consumers with products that offer greater relevance and immediacy. We seek a candidate who embodies our values of authenticity, accountability, collaboration, and courage—someone eager to grow, challenge themselves, and work independently as a self-driven contributor.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for a Senior Apparel Designer to join our dynamic, fast-paced design team. Based in Shanghai, China, this role will work closely with cross-functional partners across Design, Product Management, Development, Merchandising, and Marketing. The ideal candidate is a senior-level designer with apparel industry experience who can design and execute products in line with our brand standards. They will create apparel across a range of Greater China consumer, sport, and lifestyle opportunities and manage the execution of multiple categories through a hyper-local lens. This designer has a strong eye for detail, a passion for and expertise in premium craft, and the ability to create highly covetable products that connect with Greater China consumers through authentic local narratives. They can operate independently, bring the brand vision to life, foster creativity within the team, navigate ambiguity, manage multiple timelines, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to take ideas from concept through execution.

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

This is an individual contributor role reporting to the Senior Manager, Apparel Design, Local Creation GC. You’ll collaborate closely with key functional partners throughout the product design process, including:

• GC Apparel and Footwear Design teammates across categories

• GC Product Management and Development teams

• GC Merchandising and Marketing partners

• Global Design counterparts and Nike Creative stakeholders

You’ll also engage with external vendors and suppliers to bring your designs to life, ensuring alignment with Nike’s brand standards and regional consumer expectations.

WHAT YOU BRING

Education:

A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Apparel Design or a related field is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Experience:

• 7 years of professional apparel design experience in the apparel or sports industry, with strong expertise in materials, functionality, construction, and fit for apparel products.

• Clear understanding of apparel segments and consumer profiles across multiple dimensions, preferably with experience in the Greater China market.

• Comprehensive understanding of apparel materials, construction, fit, tech packs, and schematic development.

• Ability to design and execute lifestyle and performance apparel.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and adhere to timelines.

• Excellent visual and verbal presentation skills.

• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly and collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams.

• Ability to participate actively and effectively in the creative process and cross-functional collaboration.

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, 3D design and AI rendering tools, and Miro.

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

As the Senior Apparel Designer, Local Creation GC, you will:

• Create apparel products that align with global creative direction, seasonal key concepts, gender strategies, franchise journeys, and geo assortments while connecting with Greater China consumers.

• Create original product designs and refresh existing products under the guidance of Design leadership.

• Communicate design concepts effectively, collaborate in a fast-paced environment, and incorporate trends and solutions relevant to Greater China into seasonal products.

• Monitor prototype development and partner with Development to finalize production details, conduct fittings, and ensure execution excellence across multiple categories. 

• Participate actively and effectively in the creative process and cross-functional collaboration.

• Champion storytelling and clearly communicate the “why” behind the work. Present concepts to internal teams, leadership, and external partners, explaining the rationale behind design decisions.

• Manage design deliverables and project timelines, planning and executing product details, reviewing samples, resolving feasibility issues, and ensuring timely project completion.

• Demonstrate strong trend-mining skills and a deep understanding of consumer and city trends while maintaining in-depth knowledge of Nike’s DNA.

#MYNEXT: Be Empowered to Grow within Nike and Create the Future

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

NIKE, Inc. is a growth company that looks for team members to grow with it. Nike offers a generous total rewards package, casual work environment, a diverse and inclusive culture, and an electric atmosphere for professional development. No matter the location, or the role, every Nike employee shares one galvanizing mission: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world.

NIKE, Inc. is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.