What are the responsibilities and job description for the Designer - Handbags, Accessories & Luggage position at CALPAK?
The Designer will support the full range of product categories at CALPAK—including handbags, small leather goods (SLGs), luggage, and packaging—and report directly to the Design Director. This role is responsible for developing innovative, elevated products from concept through production, ensuring alignment with CALPAK’s brand identity and business goals. The ideal candidate is highly creative, hands-on, and collaborative, with deep experience in handbag design and strong technical proficiency in Illustrator.
Responsibilities:
- Research relevant trends in shapes, construction, hardware, and materials that reflect and anticipate the evolving CALPAK customer.
- Create original, production-ready designs across all product categories, ensuring alignment with brand direction, costing targets, and assortment strategy.
- Develop and maintain detailed tech packs in Adobe Illustrator, including full-scale drawings from multiple angles.
- Own communication with suppliers from initial tech pack creation through pre-production sampling; troubleshoot construction and quality issues with a solutions-oriented mindset.
- Partner with the Product Development team to help manage the entire sampling process, including sample reviews, tracking and organization, and preparing for leadership presentations.
- Maintain and update all tech packs and packaging specifications, ensuring timely communication of changes to internal and external stakeholders.
- Uphold and elevate CALPAK’s design, quality, and brand standards throughout the entire development process.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Digital, CX, Operations, and Sales to support product-related initiatives and ensure brand alignment.
- Assist in the creation of line sheets, CADs, and sales or presentation materials as needed.
- Create full-scale 2D and 3D paper mockups for all new silhouettes to confirm size and proportion prior to sampling.
- Manage multiple design projects simultaneously across seasonal and evergreen assortments, ensuring alignment with production timelines and key milestone meetings.
- Stay informed on category trends, material innovations, competitive landscape, and broader industry movements.
- Seek and build strong partnerships with vendors and material suppliers to support innovation and product development.
- Demonstrate comfort working in ambiguity while juggling multiple development timelines and shifting business needs.
- Support other product-related projects and ad hoc initiatives as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- 6–8 years of experience in product design, specifically in handbags (non-negotiable).
- Strong portfolio of relevant work, including bags, SLGs, and/or travel accessories.
- Expertise in Adobe Illustrator, particularly in creating full-scale, production-ready tech packs.
- Strong understanding of handbag construction, materials, hardware, and development processes.
- Keen eye for color and materials with a sharp attention to detail.
- Collaborative, hands-on approach to design and problem-solving.
- Excellent communication, organization, and time management skills.
Why CALPAK: Benefits & Perks
- Annual bonus plan
- Medical, Dental & Vision insurance
- 401K w/ company matching
- Life insurance & Disability coverage
- Accrued paid time off & floating holidays
- Monthly wellness credits
- Dog friendly office
- Employee discount
- Benefits and incentive compensation may be subject to other requirements and conditions
