Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization
The Senior Designer of Originals Apparel Design is responsible for setting the creative vision and direction for adidas China, overseeing the development of new collections, and ensuring excellence across the entire design process. The role leads the Originals design team to strategically analyze the current apparel range, generate new design concepts, optimize workflows, and leverage existing design assets. A key focus is maintaining quality and consistency of design output across platforms, channels, and media.
This position partners closely with cross-functional leaders—such as product marketing, business unit, product development, key account, and other stakeholders—to align creative outcomes with business objectives and consumer needs.
Responsibilities
- Create and direct seasonal creative narratives, ranges, and product stories, ensuring alignment across product types, colors, materials, and graphics.
- Oversee the full creative process; identify industry trends in color, materials, and graphics; and influence merchandising and assortment strategies.
- Translate complex business concepts and consumer insights into clear, compelling creative solutions.
- Take ownership of the creative vision and uphold the quality of output across all team members.
- Present the creative vision to stakeholders and communicate expectations clearly to the design team.
- Develop and inspire a high-performing design team through strong people leadership and talent building.
- Ensure all creative output aligns with brand identity and adidas’ qualitative standards.
- Lead multiple projects from concept to completion while meeting key deadlines.
- Collaborate with relevant functions to align with brand and business strategic priorities.
- Champion innovation and advocate for bold ideas.
- Drive the identification and application of long-term and seasonal industry trends.
- Guide and optimize the creative process to ensure final products are brand-right and commercially viable.
- Mentor and lead the design team to foster collaboration, creativity, and professional growth.
- Ensure all output complies with Corporate Identity guidelines and legal requirements.
Key Stakeholders
- Product Marketing
- Product Development & Sourcing
- Business Unit
- Design Director & Senior Design Director
- Design team members
- External partners and resources
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Fashion Design or equivalent professional experience.
- 5–8 years of senior design experience, preferably within outdoor or performance brands, with a portfolio demonstrating successful direction of major projects.
- 3–5+ years of management experience with proven ability to lead teams toward strategic outcomes.
- Strong creative vision and leadership skills.
- Deep understanding of Chinese consumers and market dynamics.
- Strong industry awareness and trend sensitivity.
- Experience in collaboration projects and performance apparel is highly desirable.
- Ability to work cross-functionally and integrate feedback effectively.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Fluency in English and Mandarin.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Candidates must submit a portfolio demonstrating relevant work.
Company Culture
At adidas, employees are encouraged to demonstrate courage, ownership, innovation, teamplay, integrity, and respect. The company emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion as core parts of its culture and talent processes.