Materials Designer 2

Aquent is partnering with a leading global athletic apparel and footwear company, renowned for its innovative products and commitment to athletic excellence. This is an incredible opportunity to join a team that shapes the future of design and material innovation for millions of consumers worldwide.

Are you ready to make a tangible impact on the products that empower athletes and everyday consumers? We are seeking a talented Materials Designer to join a dynamic team, contributing to the development of cutting-edge materials that define performance and style. In this role, you will be instrumental in bringing design visions to life, directly influencing the look, feel, and functionality of products across key consumer segments. Your expertise will drive value, creativity, and innovation, ensuring that every material choice resonates with the consumer and upholds the brand's legacy of quality.

**What you'll do:**

* Collaborate closely with color and materials design teams focused on specific consumer segments, including youth and foundational product lines.

* Drive value in material selection, focusing on cost margins to deliver high-quality materials at competitive price points.

* Contribute to the storytelling aspect of product design, ensuring materials align with the overall narrative and consumer experience.

* Work cross-functionally with partners throughout the design process, integrating material choices seamlessly into product development.

**Must-Have Skills:**

* 2+ years of experience in Materials Design, specifically within the footwear industry.

* Demonstrated experience with materials design for youth segments (grade school, preschool) and for foundational consumer segments (entry-level brand products, high-volume accounts with value-driven price points).

* A strong understanding of materials cost margins and proven ability to identify and implement value-driven material solutions at a lower cost.

* Understanding of the foundational consumer, including their motivations, preferences, and purchasing behaviors.

* Ability to contribute to product storytelling and articulate the role of materials in the design process.

* **MUST include a portfolio demonstrating your materials design work.**

**Nice-to-Have Skills:**

* Knowledge of seasonal product development gates and experience with setting up product and materials numbers.

* Experience with various types of leathers (genuine and synthetic), including the ability to identify and understand their differences.

* Familiarity with materials, duties and import taxes.

**Software/Technical Requirements:**

* Proficiency in CLO, Viscom, Adobe Creative Suite, and CAD software.

* Previous experience within the athletic apparel and footwear industry is a plus.

**About Aquent Talent:**

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.

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