Job Description

Overview 
SPANX isn’t your average company. We revolutionized an industry by challenging the status quo and putting the customer first. You might know the story: our founder, Sara Blakely, who needed the right thing as a base layer to feel 100% in white pants, so she cut the legs off a pair of tights and Spanx was born. The spark of that origin is the fuel for our future. We grew up in shapewear. But we’ve graduated. For 25 years (yep, we're old enough to rent a car now), we've been experimenting, innovating, and occasionally banging our heads against the drawing board. And we will never stop obsessing about what women who are out there doing their thing deserve. Because we are those women. And we’re honored to create on behalf of us all.

We make elevated essentials with confidence built in. Essentials for layering underneath or wearing out loud, for “just-between-us” and “where'd you get that?” For everything you've got planned (and don't). Because what you put on can change how you show up. And if its' not working for you, it's got no place in your closet. Or on your body. Creating items that’ll make you feel great is a matter of the heart—and the lab. In every Spanx product is technology we design and build to highlight, complement, and form your look, just the way you like it. SPANX design and technology help make sure what you see in the mirror reflects that feeling of feeling your best (you know the feeling?). We are a high-growth, innovative and ambitious company and we are embarking on an exciting trajectory of both digital and international expansion.

About the role
The Innovation Director is charged with driving innovation across all categories of SPANX through research, scouting, forecasting, and conceptualizing, using the latest in raw materials, textiles, and product innovation. This highly interactive development position requires a broad understanding of materials & product expertise and the ability to align that knowledge with brand DNA. Candidates must possess the capability to interpret and utilize a diverse landscape of innovative, dynamic, and high-quality materials to influence vision and build product that supports brand position and direction. Responsibilities include extensive research and scouting to stay abreast of product and material innovation for use in SPANX product lines. They must use academic and industry knowledge, supplier networks, publications, and research to develop applicable technologies that fill white space in the market to benefit the SPANX brand through enhanced performance, sustainability, and intellectual property. You lead by sharing and collaborating on ideas within team and with cross-functional partners to take innovations from ideation to proof of concept. 

This role is based in our Atlanta headquarters, requires weekly in-office work Tuesday-Thursday, and reports to the VP of Design, Intimates & Innovation.

Job Description

You’ll love it because you will: 

• Research and Ideation Process 
  • Ability to lead and participate in whiteboarding sessions with cross-functional teams for white space identification and concept ideation 
  • Allocates research and development time to define what could be the next BIG IDEA or CATEGORY for the brand 
  • Work with Innovation leadership to create flexible and dynamic framework for innovation cycle to introduce newness and seize short term opportunities in addition to our "regular or longer term" innovation projects. 
• Concepting 
  • Builds brand relevant concepts that solve consumer problems in the most innovative ways 
  • Lead the concept creation process by incorporating innovative raw materials into new solution-oriented concepts across all categories to demonstrate innovation intent 
  • Create yearly base plan (80% of total innovation) to deliver against 5-year vision and create a flexible framework of "on-going" innovation to bring market incremental new products (20%) with an accelerated timeline. 
  • Leads by sharing and collaborating on ideas  
  • Expertise in technical build, drape, and aesthetic, with a deep understanding of design principles and techniques  
• Business ‘Smarts’/ accountability   
  • Researches and concepts with a thorough understanding of margin expectations to ensure company goals are met.  
  • Consumer insight-focused   
• Market/Technology research  
  • Supports Innovation team by staying up to date on new market launches and technologies   
  • Actively researches and sources new technologies and concepts and brings those back to Innovation Leadership   
• Concept/Design Presentations  
  • Excels at storytelling; Incorporates marketing principles in new product / category design at an early stage in order to create compelling presentations based on leadership direction   
  • Responsible for coordinating team efforts to build dynamic presentations to pitch Innovation concepts to Executive Leadership in a compelling way.
• Communication/Documentation  
  • Excels at creating, building, and, communicating formats and templates to organize information into a digestible state and keep key stakeholders informed  
• Prototyping/fitting  
  • Clearly communicates concept direction and intent   
  • Responsible for directly managed concepts as well as for their team and the larger department as needed   
• Material Development/Design –   
  • Continuously researches new material opportunities and technologies in and outside the apparel and textiles industries based on business trends and competitive landscape 
• How you work:  
  • Problem solver:
    • Highly self-motivated and takes the initiative to support the team and companywide goals.    
    • Anticipates obstacles and plans accordingly to meet stakeholder needs.   
  • Driver:
    • Goal oriented and organized.   
    • Takes initiative in getting things accomplished by eliminating roadblocks and executing with sense of urgency. Excellent project management skills.   
  • Ability to think strategically and see the big picture. Can independently rebalance and focus priorities for self and team to what will most impact the business.    
  • Communication:
    • Ability to simplify complex ideas and communicate effectively and clearly to immediate and cross-functional partners.    
  • Relationships: 
    • Demonstrates the ability to build relationships across teams and leverage those relationships to meet deliverables.    
    • Solicits feedback and buy-in from internal and external partners.   
    • Fosters an environment of teamwork and collaboration.  
  • Leadership -    
    • Effectively manages and/or supports the career development of direct reports and/or team members to ensure job satisfaction by providing guidance and mentorship  
    • You are excited about growing team members of all levels and serve as a reliable source of knowledge and guidance for team members facilitating a smooth process and alleviating the workload.  
    • Capable of influencing your peers in the organization 
  • Agility: 
    • Flexible and adaptable to evolving needs of the business   

    • Qualifications

      : 

Qualifications

We Require... 

• 9+ years experience in Design and/ Design Innovation across a breadth of product categories
• Ability to research and mine for insights then synthesize research into tangible opportunities 
• Highly skilled in Adobe Creative Suite including Illustrator and Photoshop. Strong graphic design and design card efficiency.  Highly capable in PLM systems.  
• Strong eye for design and elevated taste level suitable for the brand. Ability to identify white space in the market 
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage workload and meet deadlines.
• Excellent knowledge in product development, manufacturing processes, product concepting and craft  
• Bachelor’s degree in Product Development or Design  
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 15%-20% 

Additional Information

Spanx is proud of our continued Progressive People Practices…

• Company Healthcare Plan : $0.00 out of pocket (Employee only benefit)
  Fertility testing and treatment are included in Spanx’s medical plans, even without the diagnosis of infertility. 
• Parental Leave Policy : Primary caregiver receives 16 weeks AND will have the option to work a half-time schedule (20 hours per week) for up to four additional weeks with full-time (40 hours per week) pay.
• Mental Health Days : 10 days
• 401K : Matched up to 4% with immediate vesting.
• PTO & Company Holidays: PLUS two full weeks of companywide closures (one in the Summer; one between Christmas and NYE)
• Flex Friday : Year-round half day Fridays!

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