Sporting Goods/Bag Designer

Position Summary

We are seeking a creative and detail-oriented Sports Bag Designer to join our Reebok Design team. In this role, you will be responsible for creating innovative, functional, and market-driven sports bags, backpacks, and athleisure accessories from concept through production. You will collaborate closely with Product Development, Merchandising, and factory partners to bring compelling products to market while maintaining design integrity, quality, and brand standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Initiate product concepts and develop original, marketable designs for sports bags, backpacks, duffels, and athleisure accessories.
• Create innovative designs through hand sketches, digital renderings, technical drawings, design packages, and prototypes.
• Research consumer trends, competitive products, materials, colors, and market opportunities to inspire new product concepts.
• Partner cross-functionally with Product Development, Merchandising, and sourcing teams to determine materials, hardware, construction methods, colors, and functionality.
• Manage projects within seasonal product calendars and meet established development milestones.
• Collaborate closely with fellow designers to build cohesive product collections that align with brand direction.
• Develop comprehensive technical packages using Adobe Illustrator, including technical sketches, product specifications, measurements, construction details, colorways, material placement, and trim information.
• Maintain and update technical packages throughout the product development process, incorporating revisions from sample reviews through production.
• Review prototype and production samples to ensure factory execution meets design intent and technical specifications.
• Participate in design reviews, prototype evaluations, and cross-functional product development meetings.
• Maintain seasonal inspiration, material, color, and trend boards to support the design process.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of sports bags, backpacks, athleisure bags, and accessory construction, balancing performance, durability, aesthetics, and functionality.
• Ensure all products align with brand positioning, customer needs, and commercial objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Associate degree in Fashion Design, Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience designing sports bags, handbags, backpacks, or related accessories.
• Experience developing products directly with overseas factories and manufacturing partners.
• Comprehensive understanding of the product development process from concept through production.
• Strong knowledge of bag construction, materials, hardware, trims, and manufacturing techniques.
• Experience creating detailed technical packages, including sketches, measurements, specifications, colorways, and material placement.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Understanding of bag patternmaking and the ability to create or evaluate mockups is highly desirable.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional teams.
• A portfolio demonstrating professional accessory, handbag, or sports bag design work is required.