Clothing Designer

Full-time - Senior

Remote - Mount Horeb, WI

Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers

About the position

The Senior Design Brand Manager of AKHG at Duluth Trading Company is a pivotal role that combines leadership with creativity in the outdoor apparel industry. This position requires a deep understanding of the Alaskan Hardgear customer and the broader outdoor market. The Senior Design/Developer will lead a dedicated team in the design and development of woven tops and bottoms, ensuring that product construction and functionality align with the intended use. This role is not just about design; it involves a comprehensive approach to product development, from concept to completion, while maintaining a keen awareness of market trends through travel and independent research. The successful candidate will leverage macro trends, industry innovations, and customer insights to guide the design process effectively. In this role, the Senior Design/Developer will collaborate closely with cross-functional partners to ensure that the initial product vision is clearly defined and executed. A significant aspect of the job is to keep the team motivated and organized, ensuring that all calendar deliverables are met on time. The position also involves working with creative and merchandising teams to align product designs with the brand's financial goals. The Senior Design/Developer will create key seasonal looks that reflect the brand's identity and support merchandising strategies. This role demands a high level of autonomy and the ability to direct critical team members to drive growth within the Duluth Trading Company Brand Portfolio. The work environment at Duluth Trading Company emphasizes face-to-face interactions that foster a culture of learning, creativity, and teamwork. The role is based at the company headquarters near Madison, WI, with a structured workweek that allows for remote work on Fridays. This setup encourages collaboration while providing flexibility for team members.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales and functionality through innovative, outdoor-specific product design and development
• Manage and inspire a small team of designers to deliver a cohesive product message to the AKHG customer
• Regularly review and provide constructive feedback on designs, offer support for skill development, and address any challenges or conflicts that may arise within the team
• Work with cross-functional teams to bring products into the business that follow DTC high standards
• Analyze customer insights, market sales, styles, and industry trends and present opportunities for growth
• Collaborate with the material team to develop fabrics, trims, and textile technologies that adhere to the high performance standards of the AKHG brand
• Work with the sourcing team to ensure products are produced and brought to market with specified standards, IMU goals, and innovations
• Provide clear direction, goals, and expectations for each designer, while encouraging autonomy and creativity within their roles
• Foster open communication and collaboration among team members to ensure ideas flow freely and projects progress smoothly
• Research, analyze, and present findings of the competitive marketplace and make recommendations for new product designs, innovations, and growth opportunities
• Create seasonal color palettes for the AKHG brand
• Manage seasonal designs and development utilizing corporate development calendar
• Create key looks for seasonal assortment that are compelling, on-brand, and support merchandising's buy plans
• Proofread product copy and product web pages for product accuracy, appropriateness, and compliance
• Build all relevant seasonal information in PLM software
• Create seasonal product briefs and present the line to cross-functional teams
• Facilitate product demonstrations and product videos when necessary
• Engage with various test and trades panels
• Participate in proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and company goals
• Adopt organizational values in personal work behaviors, decision making, contributions, and interpersonal interactions
• Contribute to a positive work environment by demonstrating cultural expectations and influencing others to reward performance and value accountability, diversity, equity, and inclusion, flexibility, continuous improvement, collaboration, creativity, and fun

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in product design/development or equivalent work experience
• 12+ years of experience in designing and/or developing apparel
• 5+ years of experience leading a team of designers
• Proven success leading and mentoring a team
• Experience working closely with cross-functional partners
• Experience communicating with overseas or remote vendors and suppliers
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Mastery level Adobe Illustrator skills
• Expertise in woven construction and fabrications with the ability to quickly learn knits and sweaters categories
• Expertise in creating detailed tech packs in a PLM system (including technical callouts, BOM's, and construction images)
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects from concept to completion with time constraints
• Highly organized and self-motivated with strong ability to multi-task
• Ability to travel several times per year, both domestically and internationally
• Intermediate Microsoft Office Skills

Benefits

• 12-week full-pay parental leave
• Paid holiday time for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth
• Flexible work options including remote work on Fridays
• Comprehensive benefits package