Design Manager, Footwear Sportstyle - M/F

Amer Sports is the world leader in sports equipment with the brands Salomon, Arc’teryx, Peak Performance, Atomic and Wilson. Salomon SAS, "The Mountain Sport Company", was born in 1947 in the heart of the Alps and is the cradle of modern mountaineering. Thanks to a passion for sport and innovative design, Salomon has created a vast range of revolutionary new concepts in bindings, footwear, skis and clothing for alpine and nordic skiing and has been able to provide innovative solutions in footwear, and equipment for snowboard, competition, mountaineering, hiking, trail running and many other sports. Through this orientation towards performance, Salomon innovates and excels in mountain sports, converting new ideas into products and pushing the boundaries of the possible. Salomon's commitment, culture and heritage are all linked by a simple concept: every employee can make Salomon the reference mountain brand. Salomon is responsibly committed to the outdoors through its sustainable development program. Diversity is one of Salomon's five values, which is why we are committed to creating an environment accessible to all. Salomon's headquarters is based in Annecy (74), France.

Beyond your expertise in footwear design, do you have significant experience in leading and managing creative teams?

Do you navigate naturally between fashion, sport and outdoor?

Do you have a sharp eye for urban style, sports lifestyle and sneaker culture, while understanding the technical codes of the field? Join our Softgoods team in our new Paris offices and contribute to shaping future Footwear collections. Your role: As Footwear Design Manager, you define, embody and lead the Design strategy for your Sportstyle perimeter.

You are the guarantor of the creative vision, artistic direction and the global coherence of Footwear collections.

You manage and develop a team of designers split between Annecy and Paris, in an international creative environment undergoing significant transformation. Your responsibilities:

Define & lead the Design strategy: Build and carry a clear, inspiring and differentiating Design vision. Guarantee creative coherence and brand expression across all Footwear projects. Translate business needs and market insights into structured design directions.

Lead the creation process In close collaboration with the Offer Manager:

Participate in the development of briefs (concepts, innovations, products).

Define the necessary resources: planning, budget, allocation of designers.

Organize and facilitate Design validation meetings.

Challenge and guide teams on 2D/3D creations and color proposals.

Define & embody the artistic direction Transcribe guidelines: shapes, colors, materials, graphics, branding.

Inspire teams through trends, uses and cultural influences.

Ensure the artistic vision in the short and long term.

Deploy & evolve the Design strategy: Supervise the evolution of Footwear lines and their stylistic coherence. Collaborate with 3D and CMF teams. Encourage the integration of modern tools: AI, digital design, innovative workflows.

Manage & develop the Design team Set the course, set priorities and support individual objectives. Create the conditions for success, encourage initiative and experimentation. Provide regular feedback, develop skills and value talent. Work in synergy with all Softgoods teams.

Education: Master's degree in design preferred. Experience: 10 years of professional experience desired in footwear product design and development.

Knowledge of current design, knowledge of target markets (needs, attitudes and consumer behaviors).

Skills: Managerial: Experience in direct management of creative teams. Ability to support designers with varied experiences. Comfort in multi-site management Paris/Annecy.

Digital transformation & innovative mindset.

Languages: Fluent English indispensable.

Sportstyle Knowledge: Keen sense of urban aesthetics, sports lifestyle & sneaker culture. Ability to navigate between fashion, sport, collaborations, street trends.

Tools: Proficiency in Pack Office. Proficiency in Design software.

Contract: CDI, Full time Location: Position based in Paris (in our new Hub) Ability to travel: to our factories (Asia), markets (Asia, US, Europe) and attend Fashion Week.