Vans: Designer, Performance Footwear, Surf & Snow

Now that you’ve found the job description, what’s next?

Vans is the original brand rooted in the authentic lifestyle of surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding and BMX. We are driven by our mission to inspire and empower everyone to live “Off The Wall” – embracing the youthful spirit of freedom, non-conformity, and relentless progression. Yesterday’s “Off The Wall” moment is today’s new normal, and at Vans, we believe in constantly outdoing ourselves. Together with our communities across the globe, our vision is to push culture forward because we believe that the pursuit of progression never ends. We are constantly inspired by the future generation of positive catalysts within our community.  

So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of people who think and live “Off the Wall,” Vans just may be the place for you.

To learn more about our values and our culture, visit Vans Careers or www.vans.com.

What will you do?

A day in the life of a Designer, Surf/ Snow Footwear at Vans looks a little like this.

In this role, you will create compelling, innovative footwear designs from concept to production. How does a 50+ year old company stay relevant?  We value design thinking in providing Vans consumers timeless designs that explore new opportunities and take risks - never stop looking to youth counter-culture for inspiration. Responsibilities include finding key insights and unmet consumer needs, researching creative inspiration, leveraging culture, working with athletes and collaborators, and crafting a vast range of creative and appealing solutions; that are also sustainable and considerate of cost. This role also participates in Vans seasonal creative vision, contributes to seasonal color and trend strategy, executes graphics, product branding, and design direction of various seasonal collections.  As a Designer with growing knowledge and experience in footwear, you will be seen as a highly proficient individual contributor closely collaborating with your design leadership and as well as your design peers.

Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more.

• Build category footwear color and graphic direction and partner with Product Line Managers to create visual like plans of the global surf / snow footwear lines.

• Responsible for creation of color CAD designs and graphic spec packages throughout design process to product confirmation. 

• Create presentations for line reviews, and athlete or collaborator meetings.

• Utilize 3D and digital resources to create color ups and visual line plans.

• Create seasonal color palettes and inform color usage.

• Continual research of footwear sustainable materials, functional and innovative materials.

• Partner with material sourcing to develop innovative fabrications and capabilities. 

• Expected to understand market structure and distribution points for all assigned collections, collaborations and categories.

• Ensure timely completion of in-line footwear color design packages, and color CADs according to Vans Footwear development calendar. 

What do you need to succeed?

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 3-7 years of experience and professional achievements. 

The foundation skills you will need in this position are:

• Ability to recognize and convey market trends 

• Experience and understanding of product construction

• Excellent communications skills, including the ability to present concepts to footwear department peers and design leadership

• Ability to understand, assess & problem solve by leveraging technical and analytical skills 

• Ability to partner with Design Leadership to improve performance and achieve professional goals 

• Ability to build accurate 2D technical drawings (tech packs)

·       Strong sketching, illustration, and rendering skills

·       Propensity to generate a broad range of concepts and solutions for each assigned project 

·       Collaborative spirit, capable of connecting the dots

·       Capable of executing visual explanations of complicated and technical ideas. 

·       High level of Proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop

·       Experience in communication and presentation programs (InDesign, Acrobat, Word, Keynote, Adobe Suite, etc.)

·       Experience in research & analysis and design cycles.

·       Experience in presentation, communication and storytelling to support design concepts.

·       Familiarity with designing toward a Visual Line Plan.

There are also a few skills that are not required but preferred.

·       Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design or Industrial Design, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

·       Knowledge and experience with sustainable design and manufacturing are a plus

What do we offer you?

At Vans, we know you expect as much from us as we do from you. That is why we make a commitment to support and grow our people. We offer extensive development and growth opportunities for your current and future positions, a competitive compensation package, and a strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).

Our commitment extends beyond this and into your daily work life. We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive culture based on respect, connection, and authenticity. Our focus on DEI is at the foundation of who we are and what we do.

To learn more about Vans’ benefits package, follow this MyVFBenefits.com and click “Looking to Join VF”.

To learn more about Vans‘ Diversity and Inclusion efforts, go to www.vans.com.

Now WE have a question for YOU.

Are you in?

Hiring Range:

Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com  and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.

At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.  If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at peopleservices@vfc.com. VF will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.

Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.