Global Football Footwear Designer

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

JOB MISSION:

The Footwear Designer for Global Football will provide creative & tactical design expertise for the Footwear category with a focus against In-Line, Market SMU & Athlete propositions. Providing consumer & athlete first design, storytelling & creation solutions to enable delivery of a world class football footwear proposition.

We offer hybrid working and a flexibility to working hours to accommodate for a healthy work life balance. Ideal candidates must be based in the North-West of England as this role requires 3 days on site at our EMEA Head office in Warrington.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Translate football specific consumer & athlete needs, preference & ambitions into a premier product proposition that is viable & credible in the highest forms of the game
• Place the consumer experience at the center of category/concept storytelling, with an emphasis on credible, meaningful narratives that drive consumer engagement
• Able to source a wide range of inspiration & influences to deliver strong curated applications of creativity
• Develop powerful and compelling product presentations to articulate and inspire adoption.
• Consumer centric approach to ensure relevant insight is collected & translated across concept, design & engineering to validate & inform creative decision making
• Leverage & interpret Brand DNA, Seasonal influence and category positioning to drive a consumer right proposition.

• Explore and implemention of 3D computational design methods and tools to enhance both product accuracy and saliency of the creative vision
• Creative Graphic ideation and delivery that is realized through newly sourced & developed engineering methods

• Create technical CAD drawings & schematics to enable Development & vendor partners to realise and complete creative ambition in-line with category objectives
• High level coherence of seasonal product adjustments to ensure accurate, timely amends are captured, actioned & communicated
• Partner with Development counterparts throughout seasonal intervals & stage gates to ensure aligned focus against seasonal category/product objectives
• Foster global vendor partnerships (with Development counterparts) to ensure creative outlook is understood, viable and aligns to creative, consumer & category objectives

• Work closely with the Product Management team to support the creation & publication of collateral at each Global gate/touchpoint (Key Stories, VLR, GTM, KAP, Pre-Line).
• Utilise Design software to develop new ways in illustrating & communicating product appearance, benefit & technologies
• Create & publish best in class creative tools that enhance impact within vendor partnerships, internal stakeholders & external athletes & customers

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:

• Educated to Degree level in relevant area is required within this role
• Previous industry experience
• Strong passion for football, footwear and the football industry with validated interest in the sport
• Hand and Digital sketching capability
• Excellent presentation skills
• Strong attention to detail, discipline & awareness
• High level proficiency within the Adobe software suite
• 3D modelling and rendering (modo / rhino / keyshot) - parametric design preferrable (grasshopper / data-to-design software)
• Interest in emerging design softwares (virtual reality – Gravity sketch, artificial intelligence – Vizcom)
• Project management skills and comfortable in a fast-paced environment
• Problem solving mindset
• Domestic and International travel required

BENEFITS:

• Discretionary Bonus Opportunity
• Private Medical Insurance
• Dental Scheme
• Pension Scheme
• Flexible Working Hours
• Hybrid working (3 days on-site)
• 25 days Annual Leave per year
• Life Insurance
• On Site Gym
• Employee Discount
• Employee Referral Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities via NB GivesBack
• Learning & Development Opportunities
• Flexibility to work 20 days from anywhere each year
• Travel Assistance and Insurance when working abroad
• Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit (24/7 Employment Assistance Program & Support)

Equal Opportunity Employer:

New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment.  We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.

If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.