Nike Local Creation GC is one of Nike’s fastest-moving product engines, enabling designers to connect with geo-specific consumers quickly and effectively. Reporting to the Local Creation Design organization, this role focuses on creating inspiring products tailored to specific marketplaces and geographic audiences, capturing fast-moving trends and delivering regionally relevant narratives with flexibility and speed.
The Local Creation team’s mission is to amplify and incubate new ideas while driving and extending consumer favorites, serving local consumers with executions that offer greater relevance and immediacy. We seek a candidate who embodies authenticity, accountability, collaboration, and courage—someone eager to grow, challenge themselves, and work independently as a self-driven contributor.
Who We Are Looking For
We’re looking for a Lead Apparel Designer, Create to join our dynamic and fast-paced design team. This role will be based in Shanghai, China, and will work closely with cross-functional partners across Design, Product Management, Development, Merchandising, and Marketing.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned creative lead with diverse experience in the apparel industry and the ability to design and execute apparel products for Nike brands. They will create apparel products across Greater China consumer, sport, and lifestyle business opportunities and lead the execution of multiple categories through a hyper-local lens.
Who You’ll Work With
This is an individual contributor role reporting to the Senior Manager, Apparel Design, Local Creation GC. You’ll collaborate with:
- GC Apparel and Footwear Design teammates across categories
- GC Product Management and Development teams
- GC Merchandising and Marketing partners
- Global Design counterparts and Nike Creative stakeholders
- External vendors and suppliers
What You Bring
- BA, BFA, MA, MFA preferred in Apparel Design or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, or training.
- 7 years of professional apparel design experience within the apparel and sports industry.
- Expertise in materials, performance functions, construction, and fit for apparel products.
- Understanding of apparel segments and multidimensional consumer profiles, preferably including Greater China market experience.
- Ability to design and execute lifestyle and performance apparel.
- Understanding of apparel materials, construction, fit, technical packages, and schematic development.
- Strong collection-building ability and the capacity to translate insights into authentic narratives and storytelling.
- Ability to lead and drive design vision cross-functionally and manage multiple projects and timelines.
- Excellent visual, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, 3D/AI rendering software, and Miro.
What You’ll Work On
- Create apparel products aligned with global creative direction, seasonal concepts, gender strategies, franchise journeys, geographic assortments, and Greater China consumers.
- Work with Product Management and Development to establish seasonal new-creation toolboxes based on consumer insights, design direction, product intent, and margin targets.
- Bring seasonal creative direction to life through market-relevant trends and insights across color, material functionality, fit, and proportion.
- Communicate design concepts, collaborate in a fast-paced environment, and inject Greater China-relevant trends and solutions into seasonal products.
- Monitor prototype development, conduct fittings, finalize production details, and ensure execution excellence.
- Champion storytelling and present concepts to internal teams, leadership, and external partners.
- Manage design deliverables and project timelines, resolve feasibility issues, and ensure timely completion.
- Demonstrate strong trend-mining skills and maintain in-depth knowledge of Nike DNA.
Additional Information
Nike provides reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities during the application or interview process. Nike offers a total rewards package, a casual work environment, a diverse and inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional development. Nike is committed to employing a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunity employer.