Our client is seeking a Sweater Design Director to lead the design and development of fully fashioned sweater collections for the Women’s Contemporary and Junior's market. This hybrid role offers the opportunity to work within a fast-paced, trend-driven category with full visibility into the global knitwear landscape, including US, Europe, and Asia. The position plays a key role in creating curated collections that reflect current trends and deliver strong results for our key retail partners. This role is considered hybrid WFH most days but must be flexible to be in the NYC office 1 day per week depending on the business demands, requesting flexibility for in‑office meetings with clients and travel domestically and overseas for trend research and development.
- The salary range is $160,000 + bonus.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop innovative sweater collections for the women’s contemporary market, incorporating the latest trends, yarns, and stitch techniques.
- Collaborate with Senior Designers and cross‑functional teams to align brand direction, seasonal concepts, and customer needs.
- Conduct monthly market research and trend analysis to identify emerging styles, colors, and silhouettes relevant to the junior’s demographic.
- Create detailed design presentations, sketches, and tech packs that communicate construction details, fit, and sizing specifications.
- Source and select appropriate yarns, trims, and embellishments that meet quality, cost, and design objectives.
- Partner with Sales and Merchandising teams to translate customer feedback and retail insights into commercially successful designs.
- Manage a team of designers.
- Oversee sample development, including fit sessions, revisions, and approvals, ensuring design integrity from concept through production.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with overseas vendors, factories, and suppliers to ensure timely development and execution.
- Attend trade shows and trend shows.
- Travel for in‑person meetings with customers each season.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or a related field.
- 10‑15+ years of experience in Fully Fashioned sweater design, ideally within the women’s contemporary market.
- Deep understanding of yarns, stitches, and sweater construction, tech‑pack proficiency, and cost engineering with a strong attention to detail.
- Experience managing a team of designers.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating creative range and technical expertise in sweater design.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva, Miro, and relevant AI design software.
- Proven ability to interpret market trends and consumer insights into on‑brand, saleable product concepts.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and time‑management skills.
- Experience working with overseas counterparts, factories, and vendors.
- Passion for fashion, creativity, and innovation with the ability to balance trend awareness and commercial appeal.
If you meet the required qualifications and are interested in this role, please apply today.
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