Senior Designer Product Developer - AKHG Woven Top and Bottoms

$90,000 - $125,000/Yr

Duluth Trading Company - Blanchardville, WI

Full-time - Senior

Remote - Blanchardville, 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 process from concept to completion, collaborating with cross-functional partners to ensure that the initial product vision and benefits are clearly defined and executed by the go-live date. 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. This position will also work closely 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. In addition to driving sales through innovative and functional product development, the Senior Design/Developer will have a high level of autonomy and will direct the activities of critical members of the product team to drive division growth within the Duluth Trading Company Brand Portfolio. The work environment is collaborative, with a strong emphasis on face-to-face interactions that foster a culture of learning, creativity, and teamwork. The role is based at the company's headquarters near Madison, WI, with a flexible work arrangement that allows for remote work on Fridays.

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.
• Be a product evangelist by creating seasonal product briefs and presenting 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 'can do' people, 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 arrangement with remote work options on Fridays.