Associate Designer, Little Planet - Carter's

Serving the needs of all families with young children, Carters Inc. is the largest North American apparel retailer exclusively for babies and young children, encompassing Carters, OshKosh Bgosh, Skip*Hop and Little Planet brands. Meaningful work, constant learning, genuine people, and a community guided by core values that promote inclusion and innovation is in everything we do. There are many reasons to build your career at Carter's.

HOW YOULL MAKE AN IMPACT:
This role typical reports to the VP of Design and is based in our Buckhead office in our hybrid work environment.

20% Creative Concept

• Shop the market (competitive and aspirational) researching trends, product, prints, fabrics and color that inspire innovative and sustainable design.
• Prepare and request design samples from Product Development team.
• Collaborate with design leaders to design silhouettes, direct prints and develop fabrics and trims that are sustainable and brand appropriate.
• Collaborate with design leaders to build mood boards and trend books for creative concept presentations.

50% Product line Development

• Lead design of 20-40% the Little Planet line as needed and as workload allows.
• Work with Design, Art, Product Development and Merchandising teams to create designs that are both innovative and on brand.
• Manage design sketching, SC cards and communication with Technical Design team.
• Manage trend boards, color and fabric rings and other design archives.
• Manage PLM line sheets, saving images, uploading product information, SC numbers and adding design comments.
• Assist in building and maintaining line sheets in Illustrator.
• Manage organization and storage of Designs purchased samples and other reference samples.
• Flexibility to assist with multiple duties that may arise when having a lean team.

30% Design Process & Communication

• Support facilitation for all aspects of design, from initial concept to final development of product.
• Participate in key meetings, maintaining awareness of all aspects of design.
• Efficiently communicate with cross-functional partners with special focus on Technical Design team.
• Responsible for maintaining all product details throughout design review process; communicate changes to Technical Design,
• Merchandising and Product Development teams.
• Responsible for participating in sample fittings, discussing feedback with design leaders and collaborating with the Technical Design team to achieve the best fits.
• Train Assistants, interns or EDPs when need arises.
• Responsible for achieving calendar deadlines for all stages of design with guidance from manager.

WED LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU IF:
Must have:

• Exhibit inquisitiveness, excellent communication and analytical skills.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction, silhouettes, sewing techniques, fabrication and trim development.
• Strong sense of design, color and prints with focus on brand appropriateness, functionality, and cohesiveness.
• Ability to analyze trends and the market to selectively pull together innovative and balanced mood boards relevant to our brand.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
• Strong time management and creative problem-solving skills with ability to take on multiple tasks and independently prioritize to meet deadlines.
• Ability to quickly learn about sustainability, adapt to new processes and re-invent others as needed to keep our brand unique and innovative.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, creative, and team-oriented environment.
• Must have ability to analyze and interpret market trends as it relates to our brand as demonstrated through a portfolio of professional work.
• Exceptional Mac skills: proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign with knowledge of Photoshop basics.
• Working knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tool.
• Strong presentation skills.

Preferred skills and experience:

• BA or BFA required.
• 2+ years of design experience in childrens apparel.

OUR TEAM MEMBERS:

• Lead Courageously: Have a strong sense of personal values that align with our Company values
• Collaborates Broadly: Build cooperation, trust, and thrive in a consensus driven environment
• Customer Focus: Proactively seek opportunities to leverage data and fact-based insights to serve customers and/or internal clients
• Drive Growth: Set aggressive goals and implement plans precisely
• Cultivates Innovation: Respectfully challenge the "weve always done it this way" mentality and explore new ways to achieve desired outcomes

MAKE A CAREER AT CARTERS:
Career Development: Success starts from within, and we have several paths from which you can choose to enhance your career evolution. From Carters University to Toastmasters to mentorship programs and more, we encourage you to utilize these tools to elevate your professional prowess.
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties described may be changed or reassigned at the discretion of management, and the employee may be required to perform duties that are not listed in the job description.

Carters is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.