Apparel Designer II

Columbia Sportswear Company; Carlsbad (CA); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Sportswear Company seeks an Associate Apparel Designer for the prAna brand in Carlsbad, CA. This hybrid role supports the Women’s Lifestyle design team, collaborating with managers and cross-functional partners to ensure design integrity and timely product development.

The role emphasizes technical illustrations, line sheet accuracy, and involvement in line reviews. Portfolio required; in-office presence four days a week and collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or related field; coursework in apparel design, textiles, manufacturing, graphics or related experience.
• Typically requires 3–5 years of work experience in apparel design; outdoor industry experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Solid knowledge of fabrics and trims used in development.
• Understanding of design process from concept to pre-production and garment construction.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, especially Illustrator; strong MS Office skills.
• Proactive and resourceful work style with ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Creates, maintains, and provides accurate technical apparel illustrations and construction details.
• Owns seasonal line sheet accuracy with updates on style information and color.
• Preps for line reviews, sales meetings and Design Kickoff week.
• Enters color information into BOM in PLM and ensures brand standards.
• Attends style reviews and fit sessions; updates sketches based on feedback.
• Meets calendar deadlines and project milestones accurately.
• Supports Women’s Lifestyle category with design projects that meet consumer needs.

Education

Bachelor’s degree or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Illustrator

Microsoft Office

Job description

*This is a hybrid role based out of our HQ in Carlsbad, CA. In-office expectation is 4 days a week*

ABOUT THE POSITION

prAna is looking for an awesome Associate Apparel Designer who will be responsible for supporting our women’s design team, specifically within the outdoor lifestyle category. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other designers and cross-functional partners on various tasks and in a fun and sometimes fast environment.

You will work closely with your design manager , tech design and product development to ensure design integrity, quality, and accuracy is at its peak. You will ensure development of products within established timelines and may offer creative alternatives to basic design issues that have downstream impacts. You are a combination of analytical/creative/adaptable and are eager to learn about our design process. If you are interested in making a difference, come join our team!

HOW YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

• Creates, maintains, and provides accurate technical apparel illustrations and construction details for more complex products throughout the development season. This includes a higher volume of lifestyle. technical apparel, coverup, and sweaters.

• Own and maintain seasonal line sheet accuracy with continuous updates in style information and color and supply updates to the greater PCT.

• Help with the prep for any major line reviews, sales meetings and presentations and Design Kick off week.

• Accurately enters all pertinent color information into the Bill of Materials in PLM, including fabric and trim color information, ensuring brand standards are maintained.

• Attends style reviews and fit sessions for assigned category, and ensures sketches are updated in a timely manner based on feedback received.

• Meets calendar deadlines, ensuring all work objectives and project milestones are met accurately and efficiently.

• Help with any needed design projects and research to support the Women’s Lifestyle category for assigned styles that meet the needs of consumers, resulting in sales and growth for the company

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YOU ARE

• Excited to kick start our apparel design career at prAna.
• Passionate living an active outdoor lifestyle
• Creative and curious

YOU HAVE

• Bachelor’s degree, applicable certification or equivalent experience with course work in apparel design, textile, manufacturing, graphics or related experience.

• Typically requires 3-5 years of work experience in apparel design. Experience with outdoor industry and apparel category preferred.

• Requires strong organizational and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.

• Solid knowledge of fabrics and trims associated with the development process.

• Solid knowledge of general design process from concept to pre-production and garment construction methods.

• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, with a focus on Illustrator. Solid skillset in Microsoft Office Suite.

• Proactive and resourceful work style. Able to anticipate potential problems and suggest possible solutions to manager.

• Ability to consistently prioritize multiple projects and thrive under pressure to meet strict timelines.

• Possesses strong written and verbal communication skills; interacts in a professional manner with various levels of management and employees within the organization, as well as vendors and employees worldwide.

• PORTFOLIO LINK OR DESIGN WORK EXAMPLES REQURIED IN APPLICATION

#LI-JC1

#hybrid

#prAna

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position’s scope and function in the company.

Columbia Sportswear Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf. If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please notify your recruiter.

Hiring Range: $67,750 - $99,737

*Pay decisions are determined by multiple factors, including what the market is paying, a candidate’s capabilities and skills, years of experience, and internal equity.

At Columbia Sportswear Company, we’re proud to offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes a variety of services and products to help make your life and work more rewarding. Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well-being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well-being: physical, social/emotional, financial, career and community. Benefits that can protect your family’s financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match. Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services). In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services. We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available.

If you need an accommodation/adjustment to successfully complete and submit your application, please reach out to [e-mail] with the Subject: Applicant Assistance Requested.