Apparel Design Manager

McKinley Marketing Partners; United States; Hybrid; USD 100,973 - 126,217; Full time

Job summary

A large retail client is seeking an experienced apparel design manager for their men's training line. The role involves leading the design category, managing the design team, and overseeing the entire design lifecycle from concept to execution. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in apparel design and team management, along with technical skills in Adobe Illustrator. This position is full-time and requires NYC and Baltimore visits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• 1–3 years of management experience or equivalent.
• Minimum 10 years of apparel design experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the men’s training apparel design category.
• Manage and direct the apparel design team.
• Oversee design team deliverables across multiple projects.

Skills

Adobe Illustrator

Management

Hand sketching

Apparel manufacturing techniques

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or Master’s with relevant experience

12+ years experience without a degree

Tools

Adobe Suite

Raspberry AI

Job description

Overview

Our large retail client is looking for an apparel design manager (men’s train) to join their team. The apparel design manager will serve as the category lead for the men’s training business, overseeing the entire apparel design lifecycle from concept to execution. This role drives the creative vision and strategy for the Training category, ensuring alignment with the company’s brand identity, market trends, and consumer insights. The manager will lead fittings, cross-functional meetings, and collaborative sessions with materials and trims partners—owning decision-making, establishing action plans, and ensuring follow-through. In addition, the role manages and develops the apparel design team while fostering innovation and efficiency within design processes.

Base pay and compensation

Base pay range: $100,973.00/yr - $126,217.00/yr

Compensation: $100,973 - $126,217 per year w/ bonus potential

Job Type: Direct hire

Location: NYC but requires weekly visits to Baltimore, MD

Responsibilities

• Lead the men’s training apparel design category, including fittings, weekly POD (cross-functional) meetings, and strategic sessions
• Manage and direct the apparel design team, ensuring workload balance, performance development, and future growth
• Oversee design team deliverables across multiple projects and seasons, ensuring quality, accuracy, and timeliness
• Drive decision-making processes, establish clear action plans, and ensure follow-through on design changes and discussions
• Collaborate cross-functionally with apparel design partners to share ideas, athlete insights, and ensure category collaboration
• Ensure design vision aligns with supply chain capabilities and production processes
• Improve efficiency of production art processes, templates, and tools, with a focus on continuous process improvement
• Partner with design leaders on category direction, creative vision, and execution
• Serve as a proactive, solutions-oriented leader, addressing challenges and identifying improvement opportunities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of relevant experience, Master’s with 6+ years, or 12+ years without a degree
• 1–3 years of management experience, or equivalent experience as a subject matter expert/lead
• Minimum 10 years of apparel design experience preferred (flexible if strong managerial background)
• Required technical skills: Adobe Suite, specifically Illustrator
• Preferred technical skills: AI usage (e.g., Raspberry AI), hand sketching
• Expertise in hand sketching and visual concept expression
• Understanding of patterns, blueprints, molds, and materials
• Solid background in apparel design and development
• Strong understanding of apparel manufacturing techniques and experience working directly with factories
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and cross-functional collaboration
• Travel: Required visits to the NYC office, with domestic and international travel

Seniorities and Employment

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Design and Management
• Industries: Staffing and Recruiting and Retail Apparel and Fashion

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