Creative Lead, Innovation

At Vibram, we are about pushing boundaries, challenging convention, and turning bold ideas into innovative products. We value curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and a drive to make things better. The Innovation Creative Lead role offers a unique opportunity for the right candidate to fully leverage their leadership skills in design and concepting to advance Vibram’s innovation roadmap. Demonstrated track record of being part of a team responsible for delivering insight-driven innovative products to market preferred. 

The Innovation Creative Lead will help drive Vibram’s innovation roadmap through focused concept development and hands-on execution. The ideal candidate brings experience contributing to insight-led, market-ready product innovations and has strong multidisciplinary design and making skills, particularly in digital product design and rapid prototyping. Hands-on concepting and prototyping experience in a maker-space environment is preferred. This role calls for a collaborative leader who can support problem-solving across the Vibram US innovation team. 

Must possess an innate curiosity to explore “what can be”.  

Located in Boston, MA, the Vibram Innovation Lab houses the innovation team’s digital design lab, footwear resoling maker space, and biomechanical testing lab. This role also requires weekly presence in the Innovation Materials and Physical Properties Lab at Vibram’s production facility in North Brookfield, MA.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of insight-informed innovation programs guided by a milestone-based roadmap co-created with Innovation, Marketing, and Sales for the Global Outdoor and Work Industrial business units. 
• Lead and contribute innovative design solutions as part of the Vibram US-based Innovation team, with a focus on near-term innovations with a 3–5 year go-to-market horizon. 
• Collaborate across Innovation functions through the Product Creation Triad communication process, partnering with design, development, insight marketing, and key stakeholders to solve problems and advance projects. 
• Ability to mentor and cultivate creative and interpersonal skill sets with direct reports and cross-functionally a must. 
• Interpret consumer needs across relevant channels. 
• Lead footwear design detailing and prepare technical packages for production teams. 
• Leads preparation of design review decks for internal and external presentations. 
• Use strong drawing, rendering, and presentation skills to communicate design intent. 
• Demonstrate high proficiency in 3D modeling and rendering tools, including Rhino, Grasshopper, Gravity Sketch, and Key Shot. 
• Working knowledge with design lab tools such as 3D printers, 3D scanners, and laser cutters preferred. Experience with Bambu and Formlabs 3Dprinters a plus. 
• Apply strong concept development and design communication skills. 
• Work effectively within cross-functional teams. 
• Explore and experiment with emerging technologies and design platforms. 
• Frequent travel to Asia and Europe is required. 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in footwear, industrial design, or a related product design field. 
• Experience in sole design, mold blueprints and construction is required. 
• Experience in managing Design and Concepting teams and processes is required. 
• Experience working with overseas Desing and Development teams a plus. 
• Experience in Asia-based factory production environments preferred. 
• Interest in outdoor, sport, work, or industrial product categories preferred. 

 Vibram is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.