Associate, Designer - Branded Kid's - Centric Brands

Centric Brands is a leading lifestyle brand collective that designs, sources, markets and sells high quality products in multiple segments, including women’s, men’s and kid’s apparel, accessories, entertainment and beauty. Centric Brands is focused on our customers and our brands that will drive the company’s future growth. We are defined by innovation as we seize new opportunities and thrive in an environment informed by creativity and thinking that is both analytical and outside the box. Centric Brands reflects a team built on respect, for others and for the hard work it takes to achieve our goals and build our bright future together.

Designer

What could be more exciting than putting your mark on some of the world’s most famous and well-loved fashion brands? As a designer for Centric Brands, you’ll use your skills and creativity to create designs based on style plans, sales needs and emerging trends. You will also ensure that your work can be transformed into a finished product in a timely manner and at an appropriate price point. This means working not only with our technical design and production teams, but also building collaborative relationships with outside vendors and other external stakeholders. The challenges are exciting and the possibilities endless – as you contribute your skills in a vibrant, customer- and people-centric culture that celebrates you as a valuable member of the team.

Centric Brands is seeking a Kids Sportswear Designer with a strong background in premium brands. The Associate Designer will oversee the entire seasonal design development process, from initial concept through to delivery. This role involves creating original, trend-driven design concepts that align with market needs and drive sales, with a focus on renowned brands such as Boardrider, Quiksilver, Roxy, Billabong, Under Armour, Nautica, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger.

Key responsibilities include, developing seasonal color palettes and concepts, Innovating with fabrics and materials, Designing lines for multiple accounts while catering to all licensors and conducting market research to identify opportunities and fill gaps in the department’s offerings. The ideal candidate will excel in managing timelines and ensuring each stage of the design process is executed efficiently.

Strategy & Innovation 

• Research and identify trend directions; perform competitive analysis; pull and review fabrics, design concepts, presentation boards for meetings, mock-ups, color-ups, and inspirational photos.
• Execute development of initial seasonal design category in context of larger assortment and cost structure.

 Operations & Results

• Design according to style plans, sales needs and emerging trends; ensure timely execution of product development calendar.
• Create Illustrator sketches; Precost, Color Cads, review specification sheets and line sheets; ensure accuracy of product development logs, line sheets, boards and design archives library; ensure maintenance of designs in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system or shared drives.
• Select and review raw materials and trims; ensure maintenance of fabric/trim library.
• Work with sample room to create designer and showroom samples
• Approve lab dips with Senior Designer(s) and ensure consistency with color standards and licensor directives where appropriate; review prints and graphics where appropriate and advise revisions; manage fit process.

 Customers & Relationships

• Coordinate follow-up with internal and external customers and partners, including technical design, production and vendors; manager interoffice communication.
• Build collaborative relationships with vendors and internal customers.

 Leadership & Teams

• Contribute positively to team dynamic and manage up where necessary.
• Attract, develop and retain talent.            

• Superior organizational skills and excellent communication skills; team oriented.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines; highly detail oriented, meticulous and creative.
• Creativity, technical capability and sensibility for merchandising; ability to sketch.
• Extensive knowledge of garment construction, pattern making, silhouettes, color ways, sewing techniques, fabrication and trim; familiarity with print design and manufacturing.
• Bachelor’s Degree in fashion design.
• 4-5 years experience in apparel/sleepwear design
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe products, CAD and Mac computers

In return, we provide an industry-competitive salary, along with a comprehensive benefits plan (medical, dental, vision) that includes a matching 401 (k), Summer Fridays, generous PTO, merchandise discounts, excellent career development opportunities, and a work environment that reflects our industry leadership. Our social impact program, Centric Cares, focuses on volunteerism to make a difference in communities we live and work in and our D&I committee is shaping the future of diversity, equity and inclusion at Centric Brands though workshops, resources and inspiring conversation. 

Salary Range:  $62,400-$65,000

At Centric Brands, we believe our people are our greatest asset, and we seek to structure competitive compensation offers to ensure that we are able to attract and retain the best talent.  Our job postings include an annual base salary range at the time of employment.  The stated base salary range represents our good faith estimate as to what candidates are likely to expect, and we tailor our offers within the range based on several factors, including the selected candidate's educational and professional experience, industry knowledge, location, technical and communication skills, and other factors that may prove relevant during the selection process.  Base salary is a part of a total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, annual bonus and other Centric Brands sponsored benefit programs. 

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Centric Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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