Apparel Designer

Position Summary

The Designer is a member of the Creative and Design Team and is responsible for creating CADs, product development requests, set up of styles, and build-out of line sheets within the requested tie frame for the Customers at their desired price point. This involves working closely with the VP of Design, Art Director, and Sales to develop and design innovative products with plans that support future growth.

The position involves creating strategic product plans, managing design timelines, monitoring the development and sourcing of products from concept to completion, attending creative development meetings with customers, cost analysis in support of maintaining margins, critiquing garment quality, construction, fit and screen approval of all prototypes, and creating all CAD and presentation requests for the respective customer accounts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This role supports the Director of Design responsible for specific accounts, which focus primarily on Walmart, Kohl’s, and specialty stores.

Trend:

Remain current on trends in the market for color, printing and embellishments, fabrications, and key silhouettes. In addition, remain current on fashion innovations, music, social and pop culture trends, and how they relate to the customer.

• Interpret trends and the timing of when they should be implemented into the product line.
• Create inspirational CADs for each season.
• Understand the licensed portfolio at Mad Engine. Introduce key properties to the customer with accurate timing. For example, MARVEL and movie release dates.
• Work with the Director of Design to identify key items, colors, and themes for the customer.
• Incorporate licenses into the trend with proper timing. For example, back-to-school and nostalgic graphic updates.
• Consistently shop Benchmark accounts
• Research trends and competitor sites.

Design Development:

Work with the Creative/Art Director to establish trend direction, art direction, body style development, and specific ideas to be implemented into the graphics.

• Fulfill all CAD requests with attention to fabrication, color palette, processes, and all related information needed to communicate the product to the Customer, Sales Team, and Production department.
• Create silhouettes, including working flat sketches as needed.
• Work with VP of Design, Art Director, and/or Art Manager to establish that all Marketing needs are met concerning branding, promotional pieces, and line sheets.
• Participate in meetings—both internal and external creative Design, Production, and Sales meetings.

Product Development:

Follow sourcing through pre-production hand-off (ie, get estimated costs, MOQs, delivery times, and all info about the goods needed to communicate to pre-production for proper setup.)

• Connect regularly with the internal Production department to review “In Work” as well as discuss new development of bodies, fabrication, and colors for the upcoming seasons.
• Enter all design elements into PLM accurately for style set-up (style number, license, fabrication, process, branding, printing/production notes, etc.)
• Follow the Time & Action Calendar for sample development and or any key dates for meetings.
• Responsible for production details, including BOM and style numbers.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications include:

• Working knowledge of materials, apparel construction, and graphic applications.
• Expert in Adobe CS software programs, namely Illustrator and Photoshop
• Computer proficient, namely Microsoft Office for email, calendar, Word, etc.
• A personal connection to pop culture is preferred with a particular understanding of Mad Engine license properties, including but not limited to Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars.
• Relevant experience in apparel and particularly licensed apparel preferred.
• Ability to take direction and work with a Team.
• Highly detailed, oriented and organized.
• Ability to proactively troubleshoot and problem-solve.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, multi-task, and meet deadlines.

Working conditions

The job requires regular weekday business hours. The design department is an open, creative environment with regular conversation and music. 3 Days in office or otherwise needed for product approvals, meetings, etc.

Physical requirements

The job will require extended time working on a computer with regularly scheduled breaks. Physically demanding tasks are not the norm, but there will be some requirements to move around the workspace and building and sometimes be in the field for research.

Direct reports

This role has no direct reports, but there may be some limited supervisory responsibilities when the department enlists and utilizes Interns.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.