BIRKENSTOCK is a global brand which embraces all consumers regardless of geography, gender, age and income. The company is deeply footed on a family tradition of shoemaking that can be traced back to 1774. With around 6200 employees worldwide, BIRKENSTOCK is the largest employer in the German footwear industry. To ensure our quality standards, we produce over 95% of our products in Germany and source more than 90% of our materials and components from Europe. The BIRKENSTOCK Group is headquartered in Linz am Rhein and maintains several locations in Germany, as well as sales offices in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.

For our Product Creation department, at our location in Cologne we are looking for a curious mind and aesthetic spirit, who will manage the creative team of Birkenstock in this full-time position as: 

Director Footwear Design (f/m/d)

YOUR SHOES TO FILL:

• Join one of the most iconic brand truly rooted in function, quality and tradition. In your leading role you will act as a truly strategic yet pragmatic design leader who understands and respects our brand’s values and is able to responsibly transform creative ideas and concepts into business opportunities.
• Never losing sight of our brands’ essence, you challenge the status quo, strive for new and exciting looks & executions, think out of the box and bring technically feasible solutions to the table.
• In this multifaceted position, your responsibilities will encompass various areas from overseeing and managing the design team regarding research and market trend analysis, developing, and elaborating concepts with a strong focus on functional innovativeness (soles, upper patterns, material, color etc.), and preparing design packs (style sheets, material specifications, dimensions and detailing of uppers, soles and construction).
• As the senior manager behind our global design team, you’ll also serve as the central interface with Product Line Management, Development, and Innovation teams to manage seasonal calendar activities and ensure the holistic alignment of our collections.
• Last but not least, you ensure the technical feasibility of the design team’s concepts considering our given production and sourcing realities

YOUR WALK OF LIFE:

• A degree and or/training in a creative field such as Industrial Design, Fashion or Footwear Design.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in the footwear, fashion or sports industry.
• Demonstrated leadership experience: a track record of successful leadership roles spanning several years, showcasing your ability to guide, motivate, and lead teams to achieve their goals.
• In-depth knowledge of shoe manufacturing methods and constructions, as well as strong expertise in shoe design.
• English business fluent; German is an advantage (not a must)
• IT skills (Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.), experience with 3D tools, MS Office Suite
• Willingness to travel internationally on a regular basis

THE BENEFITS AHEAD:

BIRKENSTOCK offers you all the advantages of a successful, fast-growing, global company: a dynamic work environment, considerable design freedom, authentic and open corporate culture and excellent development opportunities. Sounds exciting? It is. We are looking forward to receiving your online application, stating your salary expectations to Bianca Buschinger.