NIKE, Inc

Lead Designer, GFB Footwear Materials Design

NIKE, Inc$90K — $120K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Portfolio showcasing excellence in material, textile, or footwear design
  • 4+ years of experience in material design or related field
  • Deep understanding of football culture and athlete needs
  • Experience in developing material concepts from ideation to commercialization
  • Ability to translate consumer insights into narratives and product solutions
  • Knowledge of manufacturing processes for material innovation
  • Strong craftsmanship in material exploration and prototyping

Responsibilities

  • Create original material concepts for football footwear collections
  • Develop material strategies supporting seasonal narratives and performance goals
  • Translate insights into innovative material solutions
  • Explore new constructions, finishes, and manufacturing techniques
  • Build refined material palettes that elevate product expression
  • Collaborate with Design, Color, and Development teams for cohesive storytelling
  • Partner with manufacturing for quality and execution excellence
  • Evaluate and refine prototypes and material samples
  • Drive innovation in material exploration balancing performance and sustainability
  • Lead presentations to communicate design intent to stakeholders

Benefits

  • Opportunity to influence product design and innovation
  • Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams
  • Access to industry-leading resources and materials
  • Involvement in the global sports culture and community
  • Focus on sustainability and future of sport innovations
Full Job Description
You will be part of the Nike Global Football Footwear Design team, working at the intersection of performance innovation, material craftsmanship, and global sport culture. This role collaborates closely with cross-functional partners across Footwear Design, Color Design, Graphic Design, Digital Design, Product Management, Marketing, Development, Innovation, and Manufacturing Partners to deliver industry-leading product expression and innovation. You will help drive the material design vision for Global Football Footwear, partnering closely with your senior manager and a Lead Material Designer to bring seasonal concepts and long-term innovation strategies to life. While this role provides leadership and direction within the team, it does not include direct people management responsibilities. This role reports directly to the Senior Manager, Footwear Materials Design. We're looking for an outstanding Lead Material Designer who combines creativity, technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a passion for sport to help shape the future of Nike Football Footwear. This designer brings a strong point of view on material innovation, athlete performance needs, and cultural relevance-paired with the ability to translate consumer insights into meaningful material solutions and compelling product narratives. The ideal candidate is an independent leader who thrives on solving complex design challenges and elevating the consumer experience through materials that create both performance benefits and emotional connection. The ideal candidate: • Brings a portfolio demonstrating excellence in material design, textile design, footwear design, or related product design disciplines • Possesses 4+ years of relevant experience in material design, textile design, footwear design, or a related field • Demonstrates a deep understanding of football culture, athlete insights, and performance product creation • Has experience developing innovative material concepts from ideation through commercialization • Translates consumer and athlete insights into compelling narratives and product solutions • Understands how manufacturing processes can unlock new opportunities for material innovation • Demonstrates strong craftsmanship through material exploration, sample creation, and prototyping • Operates as a proactive and highly collaborative partner across functions • Thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment • Brings a passion for sustainability, innovation, and the future of sport To be considered, you must submit a design portfolio. As a Lead Material Designer, you will lead the development of innovative material concepts and strategies for Global Football Footwear across performance and lifestyle product. Your work will span the full product creation journey-from concept development and material storytelling through commercialization and manufacturing execution. You will create materials that solve athlete needs while elevating product expression through texture, finish, construction, and innovation. A typical day may include material concepting, supplier collaboration, sample reviews, prototype evaluations, narrative development, and cross-functional reviews with design and development teams. Key Responsibilities: • Create original, industry-leading material concepts for football footwear collections • Develop material strategies that support seasonal narratives, athlete insights, and product performance goals • Translate consumer, athlete, and cultural insights into innovative material solutions • Explore and implement new material constructions, finishes, textures, and manufacturing techniques • Build and refine material palettes that elevate product expression across multiple franchises and product tiers • Partner with Design, Color, Graphics, and Development teams to ensure cohesive product storytelling • Collaborate directly with manufacturing partners to achieve material quality, feasibility, and execution excellence • Create, evaluate, and refine physical prototypes, mockups, and material samples • Drive innovation through material exploration while balancing performance, cost, manufacturability, and sustainability goals • Contribute to both immediate seasonal product creation and long-term material innovation roadmaps • Lead presentations and communicate design intent to internal and external stakeholders • Influence and align cross-functional teams around material strategy and creative direction

About NIKE, Inc

Nike is a sporting goods company that designs, develops, and markets footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessory products. The company offers various categories of shoes including running, training, basketball, soccer, sport-inspired urban shoes, and kids' shoes. It also provides shoes for aquatic activities, baseball, football, cheerleading, golf, lacrosse, outdoor activities, skateboarding, tennis, volleyball, walking, wrestling, and various athletic and recreational uses. In addition, the company offers sports-inspired lifestyle apparel, athletic bags, and accessory items. Further, it provides a line of performance equipment including bags, socks, sports balls, eyewear, timepieces, electronic devices, bats, gloves, protective equipment, golf clubs, and various equipment designed for sports activities under the NIKE brand name, as well as markets apparel with licensed college and professional team and league logos. Additionally, it offers licenses to produce and sell NIKE brand swimwear, children's apparel, training equipment, eyewear, electronic devices, and golf accessories. The company also markets its products under the brand names of Converse, Chuck Taylor, All Star, One Star, Umbro, Jack Purcell, Cole Haan, Bragano, and Hurley. It sells its products to retail accounts through stores, independent distributors, and licensees, as well as through its Website, nikestore.com. As of May 31, 2009, Nike, Inc. operated 338 retail stores in the United States and 336 retail stores internationally. The company was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon.

Nike Careers

Join the dynamic world of Nike, Inc., a global leader in sports apparel and innovation, where your career can flourish in an environment that fosters diversity, leadership, and growth. At Nike, we believe in bringing out the best in our team members through continuous professional development and a culture that celebrates creativity and innovation. Work You’ll Do Become a part of Nike’s mission to inspire and innovate towards a better world. Engage in work that intersects with cutting-edge technology, market-leading strategies, and sustainable practices that define the future of the sports industry. Lead with us at the forefront of the global marketplace, where your skills in leadership, teamwork, and innovation can shine. Nike offers a unique position in the industry, combining deep industry expertise with a relentless pursuit of excellence. Collaborate with a diverse team of professionals who are pioneers in their fields. Nike, Inc. employs over 75,000 passionate and talented individuals worldwide, all dedicated to moving the world of sports forward. Introducing Nike’s Professional Growth and Development Opportunities We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member can succeed. Nike offers a variety of job opportunities, from in-store retail positions to corporate roles in design, marketing, and technology. Do Innovative Work Join us and contribute to our mission of bringing inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world. (*If you have a body, you are an athlete.) Deliver targeted solutions and drive innovation through your unique perspective and skills. At Nike, Inc., your work directly contributes to our global impact. Be Part of a Great Team Engage in meaningful work that connects with consumers and impacts millions worldwide. Our team benefits from unparalleled capabilities, a commitment to diversity training, and a culture that encourages professional growth and networking. Future-Proof Your Career Advance your career with Nike’s comprehensive benefits and support systems. We provide extensive training, development programs, and leadership courses to help you reach your full potential. Explore Discover how Nike is leading in sustainable innovation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the sports industry. The Nike Employment Experience Our combined efforts in innovation, culture, and leadership make Nike, Inc. not just a place to work, but a place to grow a rewarding career. Clients and employees alike look to Nike for new strategies and impactful solutions in a rapidly evolving industry. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search for open positions that match your skills and interests. We are always on the lookout for curious, driven, creative, and solution-oriented team players. SEARCH NIKE JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Explore the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Nike, Inc.
Learn more about NIKE, Inc
Size
73,300 employees
Market Cap
$184.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$2.8 billion
Founded
1964
5 Year Trend
+6.3%
Revenue
$38.2 billion
NASDAQ

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