Designer, Sweaters + Knitwear – Missy

Description

 We are seeking a creative and technically skilled Missy Sweater Designer to join our growing design team. This individual will play a key role in developing fashion-forward sweater collections for the Missy and Women's market, partnering closely with cross-functional teams and overseas vendors to bring commercially successful products from concept through production. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of sweater construction, yarns, stitches, and market trends, with the ability to balance creativity with customer and business objectives. 

Key Responsibilities

•  Design and develop seasonal Missy sweater collections from concept through production for private label retail customers.
• Research and interpret fashion trends, consumer insights, color direction, silhouettes, yarn innovations, and competitive market trends to create commercially successful collections.
• Develop original sweater concepts, stitch patterns, jacquards, textures, stripes, novelty techniques, and embellishment ideas appropriate for the Missy customer.
• Create detailed flat sketches, CADs, stitch artwork, jacquard layouts, and colorways using Adobe Illustrator.
• Prepare comprehensive tech packs within PLM, including construction details, stitch artwork, measurements, trim information, yarn specifications, and color combinations.
• Partner with Product Development, Technical Design, Merchandising, and Production teams throughout the product lifecycle.
• Communicate directly with overseas factories regarding design intent, sample requests, approvals, revisions, and development timelines.
• Review and comment on prototypes and salesman samples to ensure design intent, fit, quality, and construction standards are achieved.
• Participate in fittings and collaborate with Technical Design to resolve fit and construction challenges.
• Assist with yarn selection, stitch development, gauge recommendations, and trim approvals while maintaining target costing.
• Maintain organized sample libraries, development records, and seasonal design files.
• Ensure adherence to seasonal calendars and meet all design and development milestones.
• Support customer meetings, line presentations, and internal product reviews.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to identify opportunities for newness and product innovation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field.
• 3–5 years of sweater design experience, preferably within the Missy or Women's apparel market.
• Strong understanding of sweater construction, yarns, gauges, knit techniques, jacquards, and stitch development.
• Experience creating original sweater artwork, stitch layouts, and jacquard designs.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator; Photoshop experience is preferred.
• Experience working in PLM systems and creating detailed technical packages.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction and product development processes.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong communication skills and experience working directly with overseas vendors.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Experience designing for mass-market or private label retailers is highly preferred.
• Walmart or other national retail account experience is a plus.

Hybrid Work Schedule

4 days a week in the office, Fridays' work from home

New York Pay Rate $70,000 - $90,000

We strive to hire and nurture amazing talent. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience, specialized skills, and internal alignment.

Diversity Vision Statement

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our associates, customers, suppliers, and the communities in which we live and conduct business. We are an equal employment opportunity for minorities, females, protected veterans, and the disabled.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and treating our associates and applicants without discrimination based on their race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected factor.