Senior Designer Product Developer - AKHG Woven Top and Bottoms

$90,000 - $125,000/Yr

Duluth Trading Company - Black Earth, WI

Full-time - Senior

Remote - Black Earth, 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, creativity, and a deep understanding of the outdoor industry and the Alaskan Hardgear customer. This senior-level position is responsible for managing the design and development of the AKHG woven top and bottoms categories. The manager will work closely with technical designers to ensure that product construction and functionality align with end-use requirements. A significant aspect of this role involves maintaining and expanding expert knowledge of market trends through travel and independent research. By leveraging macro trends, new industry innovations, and customer insights, the Senior Design/Developer will guide the team and inform the design process effectively. The Senior Design/Developer will oversee the entire product development process, from concept through to completion. This includes collaborating with cross-functional partners to ensure that the initial product vision and benefits are clearly defined and executed by the time of launch. A key function of this role is to keep the team energized, organized, and up-to-date on calendar deliverables, ensuring that all milestones are completed on time. The position also requires collaboration with creative and merchandising teams to support the brand's financial goals, creating key looks for each season that align with merchandising buy strategies and the overall creative vision. This role demands a high level of autonomy and the ability to direct the activities of critical members of the product team to drive division growth within the Duluth Trading Company Brand Portfolio. The Senior Design Brand Manager will be a product evangelist, creating seasonal product briefs and presenting the line to cross-functional teams, while also facilitating product demonstrations and videos as necessary. The work environment at Duluth Trading Company emphasizes face-to-face interactions that foster a culture of learning, creativity, and teamwork, with the role based at the headquarters near Madison, WI, allowing for a hybrid work model.

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, offering support for skill development and addressing challenges or conflicts within the team.
• Work with cross-functional teams to bring products into the business that adhere to DTC high standards.
• Analyze customer insights, market sales, styles, and industry trends to present opportunities for growth.
• Collaborate with the material team to develop fabrics, trims, and textile technologies that meet the high-performance standards of the AKHG brand.
• Coordinate 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.
• 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, making recommendations for new product designs, innovations, and growth opportunities.
• Create seasonal color palettes for the AKHG brand and manage seasonal designs and development utilizing the corporate development calendar.
• Create key looks for seasonal assortments that are compelling, on-brand, and support merchandising's buy plans.
• Proofread product copy and product web pages for accuracy, appropriateness, and compliance.
• Build all relevant seasonal information in PLM software.
• Facilitate product demonstrations and product videos when necessary.
• Engage with various test and trades panels and participate in proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and company goals.

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 in 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, BOMs, and construction images.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects from concept to completion under time constraints.
• Highly organized and self-motivated with a 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
• Competitive compensation range of $90,000 - $125,000/year