What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Designer/ Developer position at The Berne Apparel Corpo?
Berne Apparel is a manufacturer and distributor of durable work and outdoor apparel, proudly serving hardworking Americans for over 100 years. We design clothing that is made right, made to work, and made affordable, with a strong focus on quality, functionality, and sustainability.
Our products are distributed throughout the United States through farm and home retailers, sporting goods retailers, uniform resellers, and promotional product distributors.
At Berne, we value hard work, teamwork, accountability, and practical solutions. Our teams work closely together to support the people who rely on our products every day.
Job Description:
The Product Designer/ Developer is a dual-function role driving both the creative vision and the operational execution of our seasonal collections. This teammate serves as a key creative contributor, providing informed input on design details and aesthetics while managing the critical data and samples that move a product from concept to production. We are looking for a detail-oriented individual with a “design eye” who is eager to take ownership of our workwear categories.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead research on market trends, competitor styling, and consumer/ sales team needs to help drive the design direction for upcoming seasons.
- Contribute to seasonal concepting; provide creative input on styling, color palettes, and functional design details for Men’s, Women’s, and Youth apparel.
- Collaborate with Material Developers to propose and select buttons, zippers, and functional trims and materials that enhance both the look and performance of the garment.
- Ensure the Technical Designer has a clear understanding of the design intent before handing-off to them for fit and testing process.
- Own and update Tech Packs in Centric PLM, including creating Technical Flats in Adobe Illustrator that reflect the design intent.
- Track and review all incoming samples for design intent/ material function. Actively participate in fit reviews and provide aesthetic feedback on prototypes, ensuring the "look and feel" of the garment aligns with the original design concept.
- Serve as the primary lead for coordination of seasonal production data; consolidating approved sketches, fit specs and material data into an accurate final Tech Pack for our vendor partners.
Qualifications:
- Degree in Fashion Design, Product Development, or a related field. Open to entry-level candidates with a strong portfolio or professionals with early-career experience in the apparel industry.
- Ability to demonstrate a strong "design eye" and proficiency in Adobe Illustrator (specifically for technical sketching/flats).
- High attention to detail for data entry in Centric PLM and BOM management.
- Foundational understanding of how design choices (fabric, seams, trims) affect the final product's look and cost.
- Ability to confidently share creative ideas while remaining organized and supportive of the larger team’s goals.
- Ability to work on-site to collaborate hands-on with the team.
Benefits & Perks
- Medical, dental, vision
- PTO
- Paid holidays
- Work-from-home days
- Supportive team environment
Berne Apparel is an Equal Opportunity Employer.