Director, Design

Full-time - Senior

Saint Thomas, MO

Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing

About the position

The Director of Design at Caleres will lead the design and product creation for the Rykä brand, focusing on women's performance and sport lifestyle athletic footwear. This role involves overseeing trend research, guiding design teams, managing projects, and collaborating with marketing and product development teams to ensure successful product execution and brand storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research and trend prediction for women's performance and sport lifestyle athletic footwear.
• Create trend/mood boards, color palettes, and design briefs through the Rykä brand lens.
• Guide designers throughout the season on pattern, material, and color direction.
• Partner with the development team to identify new opportunities for innovative constructions and pattern designs.
• Own planning functions for the design team and partner with USA and China-based Product Development Leaders to ensure project roadmaps are achievable.
• Analyze consumer insights, sales data, and forward trend forecasting to apply to merchandising the line.
• Pitch potential collaborations and co-branded partnerships, leading product creation to successful execution.
• Lead line edit, curation, and ranking product importance to aid sales and marketing teams.
• Partner with Marketing and Digital teams to inform editorial content for the brand website and product education.
• Create and maintain digital presentations for seasonal trends and product initiatives, presenting at sales meetings and trade shows.
• Assign self a small amount of design styles/constructions or projects per season.
• Plan and organize domestic market inspiration trips for the design team and attend industry trade shows.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 10+ years of product experience in the footwear industry preferred.
• 10+ years of total retail/wholesale experience.
• Strong sketching ability.
• Experience leading trend and design research required.
• Expert level knowledge of footwear development, sourcing, and manufacturing.
• Adobe/Microsoft system knowledge required.

Benefits

• 30% Associate Discount across Famous Footwear and Caleres brands.
• Health benefits and PTO starting from day one.
• Access to earned wages before payday.
• Free, 24/7 confidential support and resources for mental wellness through CompPsych EAP.
• Relaxed dress code with no professional attire required.
• Full access to onsite gym, Starbucks, Grab and Go Market, and free parking.