[NDK] Product Designer, Boots

Nidecker Group is seeking a talented and motivated Product Designer to join our Boots team. Based in Rolle Switzerland on the stunning French-Swiss Riviera near the Alps Nidecker Group is home to some of the most respected brands in snowboarding like Nidecker Snowboards Jones and ThirtyTwo.

With a global footprint we offer a unique opportunity for individuals with a background in snowboarding or outdoor sports to take on an exciting hands-on role in the product design process.

In this role you will own the creative direction and overall product line management of the Nidecker boots category in line with our brand strategy and creative brief - from trend research and line planning through concept development and final product approval. Youll work in close partnership with the Boots Developer to ensure every design intent is technically achievable and delivered on time.

This is a diverse and rewarding position within a passionate creative and international team. Youll have room to contribute to world-class products and play a key role in driving innovation across our brand portfolio.

Tasks

• Lead trend color and material research to define the seasonal creative direction for the boots category in line with the creative brief Nideckers brand strategy and cultural positioning and the broader bindings and boards aesthetic - partnering closely with the Developer on material selection to balance creative ambition with technical and sourcing feasibility.
• Translate the line plan into design concepts including sketches mood boards colorways and material stories for each silhouette.
• Own line plan management drawing on sales data prior season results and medium- to long-term category vision to shape the overall product range in line with brand strategy.
• Define and brief color materials graphics and trims for Tech Pack creation working hand-in-hand with the Developer to ensure specifications accurately reflect the design intent.
• Review samples jointly with the Developer at each key milestone (Black sample Preline Photo sample SMS Production) to validate design integrity through to market.
• Partner with the Developer to arbitrate design-versus-feasibility trade-offs like cost sourcing manufacturing constraints without compromising the creative concept.
• Stay closely aligned with the Developer on costing considerations to support cost-efficient design decisions ahead of production without owning the costing process itself.
• Maintain oversight of product data creation and modification which are operationally owned by the Developer to ensure consistency with the line plan prior to diffusion.
• Maintain relationships with key component and technology partners (e.g. BOA Vibram) on new development launches design innovation and category direction.
• Manage SMU (Special Make-Up) and collaboration projects end-to-end from initial communication through final product delivery.
• Manage studio shooting of boots to produce key product assets with support from Product Development following shooting guidelines.
• Partner with the marketing team to define product storytelling key visuals and communication direction for launches.
• Contribute to naming packaging and point-of-sale creative direction in collaboration with the studio.
• Present the range at internal events such as Team Week and Sales Meeting leading workshops and feedback sessions with key stakeholders.
• Represent products at major seasonal events including Shop First Try sessions and clinics organized with key distributors.

Requirements

• Strong sense of trend forecasting color and material storytelling within footwear or a related product category
• Solid understanding of footwear construction materials and manufacturing processes with the technical fluency to brief Tech Packs accurately
• Ability to balance creative vision with technical feasibility cost constraints and sourcing realities
• Proven line planning experience using sales data and category performance to inform range strategy
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple product milestones SMU/collaboration projects and competing deadlines end-to-end
• Comfort working within a structured seasonal calendar and brand creative brief
• Excellent cross-functional partnership skills particularly with Developers Marketing and studio teams
• Confident presenter capable of leading workshops and gathering stakeholder feedback at internal and external events
• Strong relationship-management skills for engaging key component and technology partners
• Willingness to travel internationally to collaborate with brand teams factories and suppliers
• Fluency in French and English (spoken and written)
• A Bachelors degree in engineering product design or a related technical field or at least 3 years of relevant professional experience. Motivated junior profiles eager to grow within the role are also encouraged to apply
• Genuine passion for snowboarding action sports or outdoor culture with an intuitive feel for the Nidecker brand aesthetic

Benefits

• An opportunity to work with a renowned Swiss company at the forefront of innovation in sports and footwear.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment committed to sustainability and excellence.
• Professional growth opportunities in a rapidly evolving market.
• Close collaboration with leading brands and top athletes
• A diverse and challenging role with the ability to directly impact product performance on snow
• Personal Nidecker discount rate and access to B2B partner deals.
• Snow Days and Company Ride Days along with a variety of wellbeing activities such as running days winter ice plunge afterworks and more!

Nidecker Group oversees some of the worlds top board sports brands including Emerica éS Etnies Jones Nidecker and Thirtytwo. Based in Rolle our office represents some of the fastest-growing brands in the snowboarding and footwear industries and collaborates with over 60 distributors across more than 40 countries.

For further details visit our website.