Design Manager, Greater China

Company Description

Vuori is re-defining what athletic apparel looks like: built to move and sweat in but designed with a casual aesthetic to transition into everyday life. We draw inspiration from an active coastal California lifestyle; an integration of fitness, creative expression and life. Our high energy fast paced retail environment is reflected in the clothes we make. We aim to inspire others to take on all aspects of their lives with clarity, enthusiasm and purpose…while having a lot of fun along the way. We are proud to be an outlet for opportunity and for personal growth and success.

Job Description

We are seeking a Greater China Design Manager to bring Vuori’s Global retail design vision to life, creating distinctive stores that balance brand identity with local context and business needs.

Reports to: Sr. Manager, GC Store Development. Working closely with Global Brand Environment and local cross-functional teams, you will guide design development and ensure design intent is carried through to the completed store.

What you'll get to do:

Partner with the Sr. Manager, GC Store Development to develop design concepts tailored to each store’s location and character, collaborating with Global Brand Environment to maintain a consistent Global brand identity.

Provide design input into site assessments, project briefs, and landlord requirement reviews to support site and development decisions led by the Sr. Manager, GC Store Development.

Develop store layouts covering sales areas, fitting rooms, and back-of-house (BOH) spaces, together with facade, furniture, lighting, and architectural design details.

Partner with Visual Merchandising to integrate product presentation, display capacity, and storytelling requirements into store layouts, fixture design, and window display areas, balancing merchandising needs with the overall design intent.

Prepare design presentations, including plans, renderings, sketches, inspiration boards, and material selections, to communicate proposals and obtain design approvals.

Review local consultants’ and GC’s drawings for alignment with approved design intent and brand standards, providing clear feedback and identifying design coordination issues.

Review materials, finish samples, prototypes, and mock-ups, and coordinate design approvals with Global Brand Environment. Evaluate proposed local alternatives and present cost and lead-time implications to the Sr. Manager, GC Store Development for decision.

Coordinate with IT, Security, Retail Operations, and relevant consultants to ensure equipment locations and technical and operational requirements are integrated into the design without compromising functionality or design intent.

Serve as the local design interface between Global Brand Environment, consultants, vendors, and the GC, communicating design intent and consolidating feedback into clear, actionable guidance.

Track design submissions, decisions, and approvals against agreed project milestones, escalating outstanding issues, risks, and potential delays to the Sr. Manager, GC Store Development.

Conduct site visits to verify construction against approved drawings, materials, and mock-ups. Identify discrepancies, issue clear design guidance to the GC, and escalate material deviations or decisions to the Sr. Manager, GC Store Development.

Develop solutions to design issues arising during construction, obtaining approval from Global Brand Environment where required and aligning any cost, schedule, or scope implications with the Sr. Manager, GC Store Development before implementation.

Support the maintenance of design standards and project design records, including approved samples, design changes, and reviews of as-built documentation, incorporating lessons learned into future projects.

Qualifications

Who you are:

- Education: Bachelor’s degree in architecture, Interior Design, Architectural Engineering, or Construction Management. 
- Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of experience in retail store design, project architecture, or design management. At least 3-5 years of experience managing or leading a design team (internal or external). 
- Industry: Proven track record of working with multinational retail brands and managing design-build contractors. Experience with premium or lifestyle retail is highly preferred. 
- Software: Expert proficiency in AutoCAD and Revit (to review, redline, and approve drawings). Proficiency in SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and Bluebeam for mark-ups and quality control. 
- Regulatory Knowledge: Deep, practical knowledge of Chinese building codes, fire safety regulations, and municipal permitting processes. 
- Construction Acumen: Strong understanding of local construction methodologies, material supply chains, and cost structures. 
- Language: Fluent in Mandarin and English (written and spoken) to seamlessly translate between local teams and Global HQ. 
- Leadership: Ability to guide and direct a team without micromanaging. Set clear expectations and hold people accountable. 
- Decision-Making: Confidence to make on-site design decisions that keep projects moving while protecting brand integrity. 
- Commercial Awareness: Understanding of how design decisions impact budgets, timelines, and ultimately, store profitability. 
- Relationship Management: Capable of managing contractor and consultant relationships with authority and respect.