Assistant Designer, Wrangler Outdoor

Kontoor Brands, Inc.; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Parental Leave

Flexible Fridays

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Kontoor Brands, Inc. seeks an Assistant Designer to join the Wrangler Outdoor team and support seasonal product development across Wrangler Outdoor, with exposure to Workwear, Non‑Denim Outerwear, and FR Workwear.

The role involves creative design and development tasks, color approvals, CADs, fits, and design presentations, collaborating with cross‑functional partners to move products through the development process efficiently.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design, Fashion Design, Art, Graphic Design, or related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
• Approximately 1 year of professional experience and/or training in apparel design preferred.
• Strong illustration and design skills, including hand sketching, Adobe Illustrator, and a strong sense of color.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop required.
• Familiarity with V-Stitcher or other 3D apparel design software preferred but not required.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to think creatively with strong attention to detail and quality.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Design team in developing seasonal product lines and projects, including fabrics, trims, artwork, color, and style details.
• Support creation of design presentations, seasonal decks, and CAD sheets with accurate, up‑to‑date information.
• Develop and maintain the Design Development Tracker and organize key seasonal deliverables.
• Review and approve color lab dips, strike-offs, handlooms, and other development submissions.
• Create and maintain 3D CADs for seasonal line assortments.
• Create plaids, repeats, and other print/pattern artwork for seasonal collections.
• Prepare for prototype and fit reviews by organizing samples and documenting feedback.
• Note key actions during proto reviews and communicate items to partners.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to keep projects on schedule and aligned with design direction.

Skills

Illustration

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Color theory

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Apparel/Fashion Design or related field

Tools

V-Stitcher

Job description

Who We Are: Kontoor Brands is a portfolio of three of the world’s most iconic lifestyle, outdoor and workwear brands: Wrangler®, Lee® and Helly Hansen®. Kontoor Brands is a purpose‑led organization focused on leveraging its global platform, strategic sourcing model and best‑in‑class supply chain to drive brand growth and deliver long- term value for its stakeholders.

Job Posting: Assistant Designer – Wrangler Outdoor Kontoor Brands is seeking an Assistant Designer to join the Wrangler Outdoor team. This position reports to the Designer and supports the design and development of seasonal product across Wrangler Outdoor, with additional exposure to Workwear, Non‑Denim Outerwear, and Flame Resistant (FR) Workwear. The Assistant Designer will work closely with Design and cross‑functional partners to help develop innovative, trend-right product that aligns with merchandising briefs while remaining true to Wrangler’s brand DNA. This role provides an opportunity to build a strong foundation in apparel design, product development, and the seasonal design process while supporting the team’s day‑to‑day activities and key milestones. The role will contribute to both creative design and development as well as the organization and execution required to move product through the development process, including color approvals, artwork development, CADs, fit and prototype reviews, and design presentations.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Design team in the development and execution of seasonal product lines and special projects, including fabric, trims, artwork, color, and overall style details.
• Support the creation of design presentations, seasonal decks, and CAD sheets, ensuring information is accurate and up to date.
• Develop and maintain the Design Development Tracker and support organization of key seasonal deliverables.
• Partner with the Designer to review and approve color lab dips, strike-offs, handlooms, and other development submissions.
• Work with the Designer to create and maintain 3D CADs for seasonal line assortments.
• Create plaids, simple repeats, and other print/pattern artwork for seasonal collections.
• Support preparation for prototype and fit reviews, including organizing samples, documenting feedback, and tracking follow‑up actions.
• Take clear and detailed notes during proto reviews, fit sessions, and other key milestone meetings and communicate action items to appropriate partners.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional partners and development teams to help keep projects organized, on schedule, and aligned with the seasonal design direction.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design, Fashion Design, Art, Graphic Design, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will also be considered.
• Approximately 1 year of professional experience and/or training in apparel design preferred.
• Strong illustration and design skills, including hand sketching, Adobe Illustrator, and a strong sense of color.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop required.
• Familiarity with V-Stitcher or other 3D apparel design software preferred but not required.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to think creatively while maintaining a strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment and adapt as priorities and responsibilities evolve.
• Positive, proactive attitude with a willingness to learn, contribute, and work effectively as part of a team.

Leadership Competencies

• Foundational Leader Global Agility – Be open and adapt quickly when things change
• Purposeful Integrity – Do the right thing, even when no one is watching
• Strategic Foresight – Think ahead and plan for what’s coming
• Customer Centric Innovation – Find better ways to serve our customers
• Urgency for Impact – Act fast and get results that matter
• Bold Accountability – Take ownership of your work and results
• Empowered Collaboration – Work well with others to get things done

Why Kontoor Brands?

• At Kontoor, we offer a comprehensive benefit package to fit your lifestyle.
• Our benefits are crafted with the same care as our products.
• When our employees are healthy, secure, and well, they bring their best selves to work.
• Kontoor Brands supports you with a competitive benefits program that provides choice and flexibility to meet your and your family’s needs – now and in the future.
• We offer resources to support your physical, emotional, social, and financial wellbeing, plus benefits like discounts on our apparel.
• Kontoor Brands also provides four weeks of Paid Parental Leave to eligible employees who are new parents, Flexible Fridays, and Tuition Reimbursement.

We are proud to offer a workplace culture centered on equitable opportunities and a sense of belonging for all team members. Here we have a global workforce of high‑performing teams that both unlocks our individual uniqueness and harnesses our collaborative talents.

Kontoor Brands, Inc. Kontoor Brands is a lifestyle apparel company with a strong established global footprint. We operate in more than 50 countries, with corporate offices in the United States, Europe and Asia, as well as internal manufacturing facilities located in the Western Hemisphere. This is an exciting time to be a part of Kontoor Brands globally, as we are focused on leveraging our global platform to drive brand growth and are committed to further geographic expansion.

Kontoor Brands, Inc. Diversity Vision Statement

Kontoor Brands is 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. The continued success and growth of Kontoor Brands is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity throughout Kontoor Brands around the world.

Kontoor Brands, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity/ affirmative action employer of minorities, females, protected veterans and the disabled. Kontoor Brands is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and treating our Kontoor Brands associates and Kontoor Brands applicants without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, HIV/AIDS status, or any other legally protected factor.