Overview

The role of the Sportswear Designer will be responsible for designing categories of the AFTCO and Marsh Wear Clothing product lines, including performance knits, fishing shorts, wovens, jackets, and performance fleece. This position will work closely with the President of AFTCO and Vice President of Marsh Wear Clothing to create brand appropriate apparel. The ideal candidate will work well in a collaborative atmosphere, while being driven to innovate. This position reports to the Vice President of Product.

Responsibilities

• Work with AFTCO and Marsh Wear Clothing heads to create seasonal line plans.
• Work with Product Design Team to create seasonal mood and vibe briefs as well as color stories for each brand.
• Work with Product Design Team to create styles to fill line plan needs through a combination of market research, sales history, team feedback, and individual inspiration to continually elevate product form, function, and viability.
• Create and handover briefs to the Product Development Team for the sourcing of all fabric, materials, and embellishments for each specific product design, being mindful of price points and product tiering.
• Work as a leading contributor of the Product Design Team to manage and meet apparel design deadlines.
• Work with the Product Development Team to ensure achievement of intended design. This includes approval of colors dips and strike offs, fabrics, and proto fit and construction through the PPS stage.
• Create technical packages for new styles.
• Work with Design Team and freelance artists on initial planning for AOP artwork.
• Work with Marketing Team to help drive brand storytelling.
• Communicate and direct packaging needs through the Marketing Team.
• Lead development progress meetings on a bi-monthly basis.
• Attend and present product for sales meetings and sales calls with major customers.
• Attend tradeshows and meet with vendors and customers for market research and to identify viable trends.
• Conduct seasonal product analysis against competitive brands to ensure AFTCO continues to offer product that utilizes world class material, construction, fit, and performance.

Job Requirements

• 6 years’ experience in Apparel Design
• Strong knowledge of costing, fitting, grading, construction, and technologies relevant to performance apparel is necessary.
• Strong understanding of design, development, and merchandising process from inception through production.
• Strong organizational skills are a must.
• Self-starter, team player, strong follow up skills, and sense of urgency. Must be deadline oriented.
• Strong computer skills in Adobe Creative Suite.
• Knowledge of the fishing and outdoors industry a plus.

Our Family & Community-friendly work environment includes:

• 401(k) and Profit Sharing
• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• FSA program
• 100% Company-Covered Life Insurance
• Paid Vacation, Paid Sick Time & Paid Holidays
• Casual dress year-round
• Employee Discount on Products
• Holiday Gift Giveaways

AFTCO is a constantly growing apparel company in the fishing and outdoor industry with a legacy of USA-made hardgoods. From the freezing temperatures in Michigan’s upper peninsula, to the blazing humidity of summer in Costa Rica, our products are built to handle the extreme. We believe in producing products that are built to last, balanced against the preferences of a primarily Southeast and Midwest customer. AFTCO stresses fabric selection for optimal performance, lasting construction, and subtle design cues over fashion preferences. We are not a fashion company.

We have been in business 61 years. We are a third generation, family-owned and operated business that believes deeply in the long-term. We do not focus on big box retail, but instead on organic long-lasting growth through key independent retailers and our direct-to-consumer efforts. In a world where private equity gobbles up brands to mass produce cheaply built goods, we are the exception to the rule. We are looking for an individual who shares our long-term thought process.

HOLIDAYS:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr Day
• Memorial Day
• Fourth of July
• AFTCO Fishing Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving
• 4-day Christmas Holiday
• PTO
• 3 weeks starts accruing first day of employment
• 4 weeks starts accruing after 4 year anniversary date

INSURANCE:

• Employees are eligible for health, dental, vision and life insurance the 1st of the month following 30 days employment
• HMO Medical plans are available, AFTCO sponsors 90% of the employee premium up to $675
• AFTCO sponsors a $25,000 Life policy – Employee sponsored Supplemental and Dependent Life plans are available
• AFTCO sponsors an HMO Dental plan – Employee sponsored PPO Dental plan is available
• Employee sponsored PPO Vision plan is available

401(k)/PROFIT SHARING:

• Employees are eligible to participate in our 401(k) plan the 1st of the month following 30 days employment
• AFTCO contributes 3% of your wages each pay period to your 401(k) plan regardless of your contribution
• AFTCO will also match 100% of your 401(k) contributions up to 2% of your wages
• Depending on profit, AFTCO will deposit up to 3% of your wages (gross salary bonus) into your 401(k) plan