Bata Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers and retailers of quality footwear. A global concern with more than 30,000 employees, 24 production facilities, over 5,000 stores in more than 70 countries across the globe, Bata has been providing the best shoes at the best prices, backed by unparalleled service, for 120 years.Since its founding in 1894 by Thomas Bata, the company has consistently demonstrated its commitment to responsible and innovative business models in the belief that capital is not just money, buildings, or technology, but, more importantly, people, knowledge, and core values. This visionary approach has enabled the company to meet each new challenge with creativity and foresight, while earning the trust and confidence of customers, employees, and the communities in which it does business.Today, Bata's pioneering decentralized production system, featuring semi-autonomous regional facilities guided by three regional business units, allows the company to quickly adapt to changes in the marketplace and seize potential growth opportunities. It also continues Bata's long tradition of being sensitive to cultural and national differences and enables it to proudly function as a local company in every country it serves.
Bata Brand SA
Bata is the leading international company in the footwear market and is present on five continents. The different continents are represented by five business units. Each business unit is organized according to the specificities of each country. Bata Global headquarters are based out of Avenue d'Ouchy 61, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Description of the Role
Reporting jointly to the VP Design and the Director of Collection Merchandising – Non-Footwear, the Senior Designer – Non-Footwear is responsible for leading creative execution and design quality across Bata's accessories portfolio, with a strong focus on bags, alongside backpacks, small leather goods, socks, belts, and related lifestyle items, ensuring products are relevant, commercial, and aligned to each Bata brand's positioning.The role combines strong creative judgment with hands-on execution, working closely with Product Management, Development, and Sourcing to deliver accessories — bags in particular — that meet design intent, cost targets, and quality standards.Accessories, with bags as the priority category, play an increasingly important role in building complete head-to-toe consumer looks, strengthening brand storytelling at point of sale, driving incremental volume and margin, and enhancing cross-category consistency with footwear.The scope of responsibility includes:Accessories Design & Creative Direction – end-to-end execution, with bags as the priority categoryProduct Craft & Technical ExpertiseDesign Process & CollaborationCraft Leadership & Team ContributionCross-functional Collaboration (Product Management, Development, Sourcing, Quality)The Senior Designer – Non-Footwear ensures strong alignment between brand intent, product craft, cost frameworks, and go-to-market execution, with bags acting as a primary growth and storytelling lever within the accessories portfolio.The Senior Designer – Non-Footwear plays a key role in ensuring Bata's accessories — led by bags — consistently deliver on the brand promise of being unreasonably good, combining design, craft, and commercial relevance. This role turns creative vision into product excellence at a day-to-day execution level.
Key Responsibilities
Design and deliver seasonal accessories collections across Bata brands, with bags as a priority category, aligned to brand strategies and footwear assortments.Define look, materials, colors, graphics, and detailing appropriate to value-to-mid market positioning, with particular attention to bag silhouettes and functionality.Ensure accessories, especially bags, complement footwear through coherent storytelling and visual consistency.Translate trends into commercially appropriate, scalable design solutions across the accessories range.Demonstrate strong knowledge of accessory construction, materials, trims, and finishing, with deep expertise in bag construction specifically.Create clear sketches, CADs, and technical specifications to support accurate development, particularly for bags and small leather goods.Partner with Development and Sourcing to ensure designs are feasible, cost-aligned, durable, and on-time.Balance design ambition with cost, material availability, and production constraints.Move designs efficiently from concept to proto to final approval, managing iterations and feedback.Collaborate closely with Product Management to align design with range architecture and pricing, particularly for the bags category.Work cross-functionally with Sourcing, Quality, and regional teams to ensure execution consistency.Support design reviews and contribute to broader brand design discussions.Act as a senior craft reference within the accessories design team, with particular authority on bags.Contribute to critique sessions, knowledge sharing, and design best practices.Support the development of junior designers through informal mentorship and feedback.Stay current on global accessories, fashion, and material trends — with a close eye on bag trends — translating insight into relevant product.ReportingVP Design – Bata (direct)Director of Collection Merchandising – Non-Footwear – Bata (direct)
Profile & Leadership AttributesWork ExperienceThe ideal candidate brings:8-12+ years of experience in accessories design, with strong expertise in bags, small leather goods, and lifestyle accessories.Strong portfolio showing commercial accessory design delivered at scale, ideally with a significant body of bag design work.Solid understanding of materials, construction, and manufacturing processes, particularly for bags.Experience working within value-to-mid price positioning and cost frameworks.Strong aesthetic judgment paired with practical execution discipline.Collaborative, structured, and comfortable working in a global, multi-brand environment.
Language ProficiencyEnglish
Conditions of employmentOn-roll & on-site
LocationAmsterdam, Netherlands
Why Work at BATA
People are at the heart of what we do. From the consumers and customers we serve to the communities in which we operate, to the employees who drive our success year after year. Through our CSR programs, volunteering, and philanthropy, we deepen our connections with the company, our colleagues, and the communities in which we operate.
What We OfferCompetitive salary, generous benefits and a respect for work-life balance form the foundation of what we offer at Bata. We then go the extra mile to train and equip our employees to make the most of the opportunities available to them. We provide industry-leading development programs to foster a Culture of teamwork, Integrity and Excellence in everything we do. As a global brand, we value diversity and mobility, encouraging our people to pursue positions in new regions that will help them grow professionally and personally. Our multicultural leadership team is representative of this commitment and our brand's international footprint. Joining Bata means joining a company where you can have an impact, where you can shape the future of a global footwear organization.
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