Lead Design Running Apparel

Responsibilities

• Aesthetic Integration: Merge the current run culture design aesthetic with PUMA’s established creative direction to create a cohesive and aspirational product range.
• Product Execution: Lead the design of technical running apparel, ensuring a balance between functional performance (moisture management, mobility) and a run style-driven silhouette.
• Run Culture Pulse: Act as the internal expert on the run culture consumer, staying deeply connected to emerging trends, community run clubs, and the "street-to-track" aesthetic.
• Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and provide daily creative guidance to one direct report, fostering their professional growth and ensuring design excellence.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner effectively with Product Development, Merchandising, Marketing, and Sourcing to ensure designs are commercially viable and technically feasible.
• Feedback & Quality: Work closely with the Senior Design Director to give and receive constructive feedback, ensuring all products meet PUMA’s quality and performance standards.
• Workflow Management: Maintain excellent time management and prioritize tasks within a fast-paced, global design calendar.
• Global Insight: Participate in market travel to international and domestic hubs to gather consumer insights and identify regional trends. Travel to factories to finalize prototypes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Fashion and/or relevant field of study.
• 8+ years relevant experience in the performance apparel design industry.
• Running Passion: A genuine enthusiast of run culture with a deep understanding of the runner’s wardrobe and aesthetic preferences.
• Design Execution: A strong portfolio demonstrating a mastery of apparel design, specifically showcasing the ability to blend technical performance with a modern, forward "look."
• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of garment construction, performance fabrics, and fit standards tailored to the active runner.
• Collaborative Mindset: Ability to take high-level creative direction and translate it into specific, commercially successful apparel solutions.
• Communication: Excellent presentation and storytelling skills to pitch concepts and updates to the Senior Design Director and global stakeholders.
• Software Proficiency: Candidates must demonstrate expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator and Photoshop) for technical flats and high-fidelity rendering. Experience with 3D design tools like CLO 3D or Browzwear and a working knowledge of generative AI for rapid concept ideation are required to accelerate the design-to-sample workflow.
• Innovation: Demonstrated ability to technically innovate to elevate the product's performance appeal.