Design Director – Knit Tops & Bottoms, Juniors Apparel

Job Type

Full-time

Description

The Design Director – Knit Tops & Bottoms is responsible for leading the design and development of seasonal product that drives growth while maintaining the brand’s aesthetic and identity. This role oversees the design process from initial concept through development and production, ensuring that collections align with customer needs, market trends, and commercial objectives.

The Design Director will manage a team of designers and partner closely with merchandising, production, and overseas teams to build compelling assortments across both house labels and private label accounts. The ideal candidate brings strong design leadership, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of the junior apparel market, with the ability to translate trends into commercially successful product.

Responsibilities

Design & Product Development

• Partner with the Creative Director and other Design Directors to develop seasonal concepts, color palettes, and key item strategies each season
• Lead product development from concept through sampling and into production while maintaining the brand’s design aesthetic
• Build compelling assortments that balance innovation, risk-taking, and commercially viable product offerings
• Maintain line plans across house labels and private label accounts including Macy’s, Meijer, Ross, Belk, and Walmart
• Collaborate with the Merchandising Director to align assortments with SKU plans, sales goals, and customer needs
• Develop product presentations for internal reviews and sales appointments
• Interpret seasonal fashion direction and translate industry trends into commercially successful designs
• Consistently shop the market and analyze the competitive landscape to identify product opportunities
• Ensure design deliverables adhere to seasonal timelines and time and action calendars
• Create and oversee tech packs, flat sketches, and design documentation using Adobe Illustrator
• Oversee key design meetings including fit reviews, spec pass-offs, sample development reviews, and tear-down sessions
• Coordinate with overseas offices to ensure accurate, timely sample development
  
  

Team Leadership & Management

• Manage and mentor a team of Designers, Associate Designers, and Graphic Designers throughout the design and development process
• Provide direction on sketches, tech packs, construction details, and design approvals
• Foster a collaborative, creative, and high-performing team environment
• Guide the team through changing priorities while maintaining productivity and quality standards
• Support professional development and growth of design team members
• Inspire innovative thinking and new product ideas across the design organization
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Merchandising to ensure assortments reflect concept direction, styling needs, and SKU plans
• Work closely with the Technical Design team to guide fit corrections and sample approvals
• Address production challenges and make design decisions to maintain product integrity
• Collaborate with fabric and trim teams on sourcing, development, and price engineering
• Build strong relationships with cross-functional partners including merchandising, production, technical design, and overseas teams
  
  

Requirements

• 8 years of experience in apparel design and/or product development
• Junior apparel experience required
• Minimum of 5 years of experience managing a design team ranging from Senior Designers to Design Assistants
• Strong background partnering with merchandising teams to develop commercially successful assortments
• Extensive knowledge of fabrics, trims, and garment construction, particularly in knit tops and bottoms
• Deep understanding of the women’s junior apparel market
• Proven ability to manage product from concept through production
• Strong merchandising sensibility with a commercial design perspective
• Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to influence and collaborate across departments
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed
• Experience presenting to executive leadership
• Portfolio required
• Walmart experience a plus