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.

Accountabilities:

Responsible for and delivering product design that meets brand and consumer needs based on strategies defined by strategic plans and market performance goals, resulting in increased sales performance. This role has a direct impact on product costs and target profit delivery. As such, it plays a vital role in the development of a brand's products and performance in China.

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;

Main Challenges/Decisions needed

• Ability to work independently, mature in thinking, and strong adaptability;
• Coordination of internal and external working relationships and resource mobilization

Main Working Relationship

Internal: Project Leader, Merchandising and Inventory Planning, Production Department, Marketing Department,

External: material suppliers and shoe factories

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.

Design Tools:

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) for rapid sketching and tech pack creation. AI tool is a plus.