Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization
As an Originals APP Designer, you will be responsible for driving apparel product design for adidas in the China market. You will manage external design teams, ensuring designs align with brand standards while addressing the specific needs of this market segment, and support the Design Manager in developing and executing design strategies.
Originals requires a strong focus on local market trends, optimized design workflows, and the creation of commercially competitive and brand-consistent products.
Responsibilities
- Manage the design of apparel products for T0–T3 markets, ensuring alignment in colour, materials, fit, and graphics with market needs and brand standards.
- Manage and coordinate external designers to ensure high-quality, timely, and consistent design output.
- Analyse local market trends, consumer needs, and competitor activities, translating insights into design concepts.
- Collaborate with the Senior Designer, Design Director, and Product Marketing teams to implement design strategies and product plans.
- Execute design tasks in compliance with adidas brand standards and legal regulations.
- Work closely with the Product Development team to ensure feasibility and efficiency in design implementation.
- Liaise with suppliers and external resources to support product development and production processes.
- Manage all stages of the design workflow, from concept generation to sample development, ensuring on-time delivery of commercially viable products.
- Adjust design directions or optimize existing designs based on feedback and market response.
Key Stakeholders
Product Marketing (PM), Product Development & Sourcing (PD&S), Business Unit (BU), Senior Designer, Design Director, Design Team members, and External Resources.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Fashion Design or a related field.
- At least 3 years of experience in apparel design, preferably in mass-market or local market-focused design.
- Strong understanding of consumer needs and design trends specific to China’s T0–T3 markets.
- Prior experience managing external designers or small design teams is a plus.
- Familiarity with functional and sportswear design processes and commonly used materials.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and external resources and clearly articulate design concepts and project requirements.
- Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, as well as office tools such as MS Office.
- Strong problem-solving and time-management skills, with the ability to adapt to changes and complete tasks efficiently.
- Fluency in Mandarin and English is preferred.
Culture and Inclusion
At adidas, employees are encouraged to demonstrate courage, ownership, innovation, teamplay, integrity, and respect. The company emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of its culture and talent processes.