Lead Designer, GFB Footwear Materials Design

WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH

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.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

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.
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.
WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

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

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