Designer - Royce Too

SUMMARY: 

The Designer inspires and manages the product design process, is accountable for creating compelling products that are aesthetically and technically aligned with our brands and priced appropriately to the market.  The Designer brings to life, in the products we bring to market, the essence of our brands, as well merchandising the space we occupy at retail.    

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Research and Development 

• Market/Trend Research 

• Conceptualize, identify, and interpret legwear trends  

• Analyze competitor fit, yarn, and construction details. 

• Analyzing the space at retail in which our brands contest. 

• Development 

• At the direction of Brand Management initiate, develop and manage the development process for product aligned with the Brand / product line. 

• Work closely with Merchandising / Brand / Sales team to ensure the product suits the customer, market & price points. 

• Take design/product direction from relevant brand partners. 

• Work collaboratively with our internal sourcing to develop and maintain yarn and sock resources. 

• Use proprietary Concept to Purchase PLM software to maintain product status, product comments, and product approvals, as well as tech pack verification status. 

• Design 

• Develop and maintain materials for Brand Management product presentations. 

• Creation of new products aligned with brand direction and strategy. 

• Produce tech packages for each style, maintain tech packs as designs evolve through the development process.  

• Verify tech packs at the end of the sample cycle – ensure that tech packs are complete, verified, and accurate.  

• Responsible for in-house CAD and coloring. 

• Effective communication with domestic and overseas suppliers, as well as internal teams. 

• Evaluate proto-types and samples to ensure conformity to the specifications in terms of aesthetics, specifically color and pattern.  Communicate as necessary to manufacturers. 

• Management 

• Manage and direct the day-to-day activities 

• Manage the design process to ensure that key dates/deliverables are met. 

• Resourcing 

• Ensure that product submitted by vendors is comparable to existing production in terms of overall quality, hand, and pattern / color.  

• Ensure that tech packs are up-to-date and complete 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• A degree in Apparel or Textile Design or equivalent related work experience. 

• Professional experience designing performance and technical apparel/textiles, preferably knit construction and socks. 

• Understand the nuances of performance yarn, construction, and function. 

• Understanding design from a technical perspective, i.e. sock & yarn construction. 

• Flexibility in designing varying brands. 

• The Ability to distinguish and match color. 

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Adobe Illustrator, and Photo Shop. 

• Conversant with the use of CAD as the primary method of design development. 

• Adheres to a strict timeline while remaining flexible to outside challenges.