Design Director - Seasonal Accessories

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

Salary: $103,000 - $115,500

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
Creative Strategy & Product Direction

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

Product Development, Materials & Execution

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

Competitive base salary.

Hybrid work schedule.

Three weeks

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