OluKai Director of Color, Graphics, & Materials (CGM)

About the role

The Director of Color, Graphics & Materials (CGM) is responsible for shaping the visual identity of the OluKai footwear portfolio. This role sets the seasonal and long-range direction for color, materials, and graphics across all categories, ensuring every product reflects our brand ethos of comfort, craft, quality, and modern Hawaiian inspiration.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive the holistic creative strategy for seasonal color palettes, material stories, and graphic direction across all footwear lines.
• Lead the concepting and execution of color, graphic, and material narratives that support brand storytelling, seasonal concepts, and collaboration capsules.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of color, materials, and graphic designers.
• Partner closely with Product Designers to ensure CGM direction enhances and elevates product concepts through all phases of creation.
• Collaborate with Development and materials vendors to balance creative vision with manufacturability, cost, durability, and lead times.
• Work with Merchandising to align CGM strategy with assortment needs, franchise extensions, and consumer demand.
• Partner with Brand on early storytelling, visual expression, and alignment of palette/graphic direction with campaign moments.
• Direct external creative partners, illustrators, and material specialists, including brief creation, feedback loops, and delivery expectations.
• Present seasonal CGM direction, mood boards, and design rationale to internal leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Maintain and evolve CGM libraries, digital tools, workflows, and documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Fashion, Graphic Design, Material Design, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in color, materials, graphics, or product design, ideally in footwear or consumer products.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing creative teams.
• Proven experience integrating CGM direction with product design and development.
• Demonstrated ability to manage external creative talent and vendor partners.
• Strong portfolio showcasing sophisticated color work, graphic language, and deep material knowledge.
• Expertise in color theory, material construction, material sourcing, trend forecasting, and graphic design.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and related design tools; familiarity with 3D tools is a plus.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling skills.
• Strong project management and organization skills; ability to balance multiple projects and deadlines.
• Passion for product creation with exceptional attention to detail and refinement.