Director, Design

Founded in 1878, Caleres, originally known as Brown Shoe Company, is a global footwear company comprised of some of the world’s most loved brands including Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, Naturalizer, Dr.

Scholl's, and Allen Edmonds. Caleres' legacy includes 145+ years of craftsmanship, a passion for fit with a mission to inspire people to feel good feet first.

Check all associated application documentation thoroughly before clicking on the apply button at the bottom of this description.

Join our dynamic and thriving footwear company as a Director, Design- Ryka in St. Louis, MO where you'll have the opportunity to make an impact and shape the future of the Rykä brand.

If you have a passion for performance fashion, are a natural leader, and have an eye for detail, this is the perfect role for you! As a member of our team, you'll be part of a company that values results, caring, and learning.

What will you be doing?

Leadership and Product creation : Lead the research and trend prediction for women’s performance and sport lifestyle athletic footwear.

Create trend / mood boards, color palettes, and design briefs through the Rykä brand lens. Guide designers throughout the season on pattern, material, and color direction.

Innovation : Partner with the development team to identify new opportunities for innovative constructions and pattern designs.

Guide the team to combine aesthetic design with performance functions.

• Project management : Own planning functions for the design team, partner with USA and China-based Product Development Leaders to ensure roadmaps for special projects are achievable and executed within the desired time-frame.
• Merchandising : Garner statistical observations, analyze consumer insights, sales data, and forward trend forecasting to apply to merchandising the line.

Manage development to line plan, advising recommendations to drive pockets of product opportunity.

• Brand collaborations & partnership : Pitch potential collaborations and co-branded partnerships. Lead product creation to successful on-brand execution.
• Go-to-market strategy : Lead line edit, curation, ranking product importance, and deliver storytelling to aid sales and digital / marketing teams.
• Storytelling : Partner with Marketing and Digital teams to help inform editorial content for the brand website and point of sale product education.
• Executive-level pitches and presentations : Create and maintain digital presentations in Miro / PowerPoint. Present seasonal trends, new initiatives, and all product at seasonal Sales meetings and retailer trade shows.
• Design : Assign self a small amount of design styles / constructions or projects per season.
• Travel : Plan and organize domestic market inspiration trips for the design team twice a year. Attend industry trade shows 4 times a year for product presentations, as well as attend specific retailer meetings as needed.

Potential international travel up to two times a year.

Perks you will enjoy!

• Our Shoe Discounts : No matter your style, we’ve got your perfect fit covered with a 30% Associate Discount across Famous Footwear and Caleres brands.
• Benefits that Start Day One : To learn more details about our total rewards including health benefits and PTO, visit yourcaleres.com.
• Get Paid When You Want : Access your money as you earn it and request your earnings before payday.
• Mental Wellness : Your mental health is important to us, and we offer free, 24 / 7 confidential support and resources through CompPsych EAP for eligible associates.
• Relaxed Dress Code : At Caleres, we believe that the right shoes can take you anywhere, and your authentic self is always in style.

Feel free to leave your professional attire in the back of your closet!

Site Perks : Full access to our onsite gym, Starbucks, Grab and Go Market, and free parking located in the convenient area of downtown Clayton, MO.

Qualifications that make you the perfect fit!

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• 10+ years of Product experience in the footwear industry preferred.
• 10+ years of total Retail / Wholesale experience.
• Strong sketching ability.
• Experience leading trend and design research required.
• Expert level knowledge of footwear development, sourcing, and manufacturing.
• Adobe / Microsoft system knowledge required.

Caleres is an Equal Opportunity Employer by choice. We believe our company should be as diverse as the consumers we serve.

We seek and engage talented individuals from all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, lifestyles, and belief systems.

Caleres is invested in our Associates. We regularly review our pay matrices and update appropriately based on need. Starting pay is determined by several factors, including relevant skills, qualifications, and experience.

The actual pay will equal or exceed the required minimum wage applicable to the job location. Please visit yourcaleres.com to review all associated benefits.

Apply Now

J-18808-Ljbffr