Kids Fashion Apparel Senior Designer (w/ License Experience)

Apparel manufacturer with US Sales and Design team based domestically and overseas

Specialize in knit and woven apparel

US Sales and Design team located in Minneapolis and LA

US Design and Sourcing team based in China driving a fast fashion speed to market business model

Design team specializes in trend, fabric, technical spec/fit, sketches, fit approvals, CADs, graphics, art separations and art strike offs.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Lead the product design by delivering ongoing Presentations, CAD & product development to meet internal and external needs. Work alongside domestic and international design partners to manage tight deadlines and art turnarounds.

SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES:

Passionate about the apparel industry & art

Possesses a strong design aesthetic and eye for fashion

Ability to deliver under tight deadlines

Knowledgeable in fashion and trend

Proficient on Mac platforms

Quick and eager to learn

Driven to innovate and execute

Self-motivated with a collaborative attitude

Operates well within feedback culture and strives to develop in role

Passionate about developing & driving product assortments that make sense and will sell thru to the customer

TECHNICAL ABILITY:

Proficient in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator

Senior level knowledge of fabrics, washes/treatments and silhouettes

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Initially work alongside team to learn internal product design and development process.

Task examples includes: trend research, silhouette development, realist sketches, color fill, layer fill, graphic placement, art boards.

Work with Assistant Designer/Merchandiser to develop and design trend right and compelling product to fit the needs and white space opportunities of the retailers we serve

Create Presentations Deck and partner with Assistant Designer on CAD sketches + color + art + print & pattern fills under tight deadlines.

Work with assistant designer to execute art sheets on an as needed basis.

Work across a variety of apparel categories to deliver upon retailer expectations.

Assist Account Manager with follow up meeting
arrowed CAD decks, costing requests for retailers.

Understand retailer private label brands and deliver aesthetic that fits within the brand DNA.

Deliver work that fulfills retailer needs and white space opportunities.

Provide trend direction

Able to coach and develop other design team members on key skills, such as CAD development.

Maintain flexible working hours that account for calls across various time zones.

Learn the internal Tai product design and development process

Fabric, Silhouette, Wash Techniques, Style #, Technical Design Process, Sampling Process, Sketching & Project Management Process

Research and provide trend insight from the market to architect a product strategy/assortment.

Identify key item/white space/emerging trends with regards to silhouettes, fabric, color, techniques and trims to ensure product is consistently relevant and evolving with the market through trend shopping, online research (WGSN), etc.

Ability to translate pre-peak trends to mid-tier/mass retailers

Constantly brainstorming newness, in partnership with design.

Regularly pull art inspiration for graphic artists.

Meet with Sales Team to strategize upcoming needs/meeting goals & approach.

Develop product, in partnership with development designer based on market trends/retailer needs & white space.

Comp Shop the market, online, Instagram, WGSN – finding inspiration everywhere

Sample Handoff (ideal woven/dress experience)

Co-create sample requests
eeds/ideas for upcoming meetings, ensuring samples tie back to presentations.

Partner with overseas designer and US development designers

Thought leadership with regards to developing elevated product a retailer can afford given IMU goals.

Identify fabric backups and cost options.

Partner with technical designers on new silhouettes/technical packets for sample development and/or potential bulk buys.

Develop CAD presentations for upcoming meetings.

Create Presentations

Trend Pages & Inspiration

Silhouette, color/print and pattern/graphic direction

Partner with Design Assistant to assign style numbers for all new silhouettes.

Direct/guide Designers on filling CADs.

Partner with Art Team to drive graphic requests

Partner with Trend Team to create compelling trend boards

Assist in organizing, prepare, pack apparel line for upcoming meeting (if in person)

Assist Merchandiser in presenting apparel concept and product lines (via CADS & samples) to various retailers

Sell product with conviction.

Quick on your feet and comfortable with on the spot questions/challenges

Travel as necessary (depending on accounts)

Comfortable presenting product in Retailer meetings with Buyers & PD&D Teams

Assist sales with follow up meeting
arrowed CAD decks for retailers

Communicate design meeting follow-up/ changes to internal and external groups (US design, overseas team, sales, merchants, TD team, as needed)

Own design/art follow-ups post retailer meetings.

Responsible for prioritizing needs for design team in partnership with sales team to ensure prompt response.

Help drive urgent/one off chase requests

Assist with the following, as necessary:

Preferred and Back-Up Fabric recommendations

Fit sessions & comments (in partnership with the TD Team)

Approval process alongside Design

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Partner with Sales Team to drive new/incremental business opportunities

Simultaneously manage current accounts while ensuring focus on what is going to drive the most business.

Flexible work hours due to conference calls overseas, Skype chat.

Positive attitude and always looking to work smarter, not harder

Be open to new ways of doing things - different – better – more efficient

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