Design Director – Seasonal Accessories

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Design Director – Seasonal Accessories

Full‑Time Director/Sr Director Rosemont, IL, US
5 days ago Requisition ID: 1892
Salary Range: $103,000.00 To $115,000.00 Annually
At RAA, we trust and believe in our associates to fashion their future.
Randa Apparel & Accessories is one of the world’s leading fashion clothing and accessories companies, operating across 11 countries with a portfolio of 30 iconic brands, including Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Totes, Isotoner, and Columbia Sportswear. With over 100 years of industry leadership, RAA continues to produce exceptional products and services, delighting customers and empowering partners worldwide. From the #1 dress pant brand in North America to the #1 belt and wallet, RAA sets the standard for excellence and innovation.
We empower our associates, create growth opportunities at every level, and strive to make RAA the best place to build a career.
Want to work at a diverse, equitable, & inclusive workspace where associates are encouraged to bring their true, authentic selves?
Apply today and fashion your future with RAA.
Location:

Rosemont, IL
Required:

Must submit a portfolio of work during the application process.
Role Summary

The Design Director, Seasonal Accessories manages the business for all design across Gloves, Headwear, and Cold Weather categories for Men’s and Women’s. This role owns the seasonal creative strategy and translates brand direction, customer needs, consumer insights, market trends, and competitive intelligence into commercially viable, brand‑right assortments.
This leader is accountable for elevating design quality, improving speed to market, strengthening product storytelling, and ensuring design direction supports assortment architecture, channel strategy, margin goals, and go‑to‑market priorities. The Design Director leads a high‑performing team while building foundational AI, digital tool, and process modernization capabilities within the design function.
Role Scope

Categories: Gloves, Headwear, Cold Weather for Men’s and Women’s
Owns seasonal design strategy from concept through sample approval and pre‑production readiness
Leads the Design team and partners closely with Merchandising, Sales, Packaging, Sourcing, and Offshore Sourcing teams
Supports internal, licensor, and customer‑facing presentations, including seasonal trend direction, concept boards, line review materials, and product storytelling
Partners with sourcing and factory teams to leverage supplier capabilities, develop materials, improve sample execution, and resolve design, cost, quality, and timing challenges
Advances responsible design practices, including material efficiency, sustainable material exploration, product durability, and design choices that support product integrity goals
Key Responsibilities

Own seasonal creative strategy across assigned categories, translating brand direction, customer needs, market trends, and competitive insights into commercial assortments
Set the design vision for trend, color, materials, construction, product storytelling, and key seasonal statements
Review and approve concepts, CADs, materials, color palettes, and product details to ensure brand alignment, quality, and differentiation
Lead design from concept through sample approval and pre‑production readiness, ensuring creative intent, specifications, costing, timing, and quality expectations are met
Partner with Sourcing, Offshore Sourcing, and factory teams on feasibility, materials, construction, sample execution, cost, and quality
Ensure design‑to‑sourcing handoffs are clear, complete, and actionable
Business, Customer & Presentation Alignment

Align design direction with Merchandising, Sales, licensors, and customers on assortment architecture, pricing, margin goals, channel needs, and go‑to‑market priorities
Lead design storytelling for internal, licensor, and customer presentations, including trend direction, concept boards, line reviews, and product narratives
Use business performance, retail feedback, and customer insights to inform future design strategies and product recommendations
Team, Process & Innovation

Build and develop a high‑performing design team with clear standards, priorities, expectations, and accountability
Improve workflows, seasonal documentation, sample review processes, and cross‑functional alignment to increase speed, clarity, and execution
Advance AI, PLM, CAD tools, digital libraries, and responsible design practices to support efficiency, innovation, sustainability, and product integrity
Key Success Metrics

Customer and licensor adoption of seasonal assortments
Achievement of seasonal milestones, calendar deadlines, and sample readiness targets
Accuracy and quality of samples, CADs, product specifications, and design handoffs
Cost and margin alignment across assigned categories
Strength of product storytelling, presentation readiness, and go‑to‑market support
Design quality, brand consistency, product differentiation, and commercial viability
Team performance, engagement, retention, and talent development
Progress advancing AI, PLM, CAD, digital library, and standardized workflow adoption
Measurable improvement in process efficiency, cross‑functional alignment, and execution speed
Progress supporting responsible design, material innovation, product durability, and sustainability initiatives
Qualifications

10+ years of accessories, apparel, or consumer product design experience, preferably in seasonal accessories, cold weather, headwear, gloves, or related categories
Ability to balance creative vision with cost, margin, quality, production feasibility, and customer needs
Experience partnering with Merchandising, Sales, Product Development, Sourcing, Packaging, licensors, customers, global offices, and factory teams
Travel domestically and internationally approximately 30% to collaborate with Randa offices, sourcing partners, and factories
Proficient with Adobe Creative Suite, PLM, CAD tools, digital design libraries, and emerging AI‑enabled design tools
What we Offer

Three weeks of paid time off within the first year of employment.
Company provided life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, and paid parental leave.
Health, vision, and dental insurance options with low employee contributions.
Optional supplemental life insurance, pet insurance, and accident & critical illness insurance offered at a group discount rate.
401(k).
Unlimited access to our award‑winning online fitness and wellness program.
A great place to work, fast‑paced, with terrific career growth.
“The statements in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Randa management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.”

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