Associate Handbag Designer

stevemaddencareers; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

401K

Paid holidays

Generous PTO

Job summary

Steve Madden in NYC is seeking an Associate Handbag Designer to support the Design Director from concept through production, focusing on wholesale handbags. On-site in the NYC office, you will work with cross-functional teams to develop seasonal assortments and ensure timely delivery across markets.

The role demands 3–5 years in handbag design, strong sketching and CAD skills, and proficiency in Illustrator/Photoshop. A bachelor’s degree and excellent communication are required for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field.
• 3–5 years of design experience, preferably handbags or accessories.
• Strong aesthetic sensibility with high creativity and attention to detail.
• Excellent presentation and visual communication skills.
• Strong illustration and sketching abilities (hand and digital).
• Knowledge of handbag construction, materials, hardware, and trims.
• Highly organized with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative team player with strong follow-through.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Design Director to develop seasonal handbag assortments for Off Price Accounts.
• Create and maintain professional presentation boards including sketches, materials, hardware, and construction details.
• Support the design team through all stages of the design process across Handbag Accounts.
• Produce CAD drawings and renderings in Illustrator and Photoshop for client presentations.
• Create, manage, and maintain spec sheets across development to production.
• Organize and manage materials, color, and hardware libraries; prepare samples for Market.
• Execute and maintain seasonal line lists aligned with product development calendar.
• Collaborate with Technical Design & Design team to ensure specs from concept to production.
• Participate in design reviews and product walkthroughs with Design Director or SVP.
• Work cross-functionally with Production and Sales to maintain design intent.
• Track development progress and follow up on outstanding items to ensure timely execution.
• Build rapport with factories overseas to ensure timely development of Market Samples.
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines with support when needed.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Skills

Multitasking

Sketching (hand)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Microsoft Excel

Job description

General Summary

The Associate Handbag Designer is responsible for supporting the Design Director in developing seasonal handbag collections from concept through production. This position supports the Wholesale Handbags business.

The responsibilities described below are considered essential functions of the role. This position is based in our NYC office and requires working on-site.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner closely with Design Director to develop seasonal handbag assortments for our Off Price Accounts.
• Create and maintain professional presentation boards including sketches, materials, hardware, and construction details.
• Support the design team through all stages of the design process along with all Handbag Accounts, staying aligned with the seasonal design calendar across all categories from Gifting to Slg’s.
• Produce detailed CAD drawings and renderings in Illustrator and Photoshop for client presentations and vendor communication and sampling.
• Create, manage, and maintain spec sheets, ensuring accuracy and consistency across all development stages through production.
• Organize and manage material, color, and hardware libraries; prepare samples and standards for Market and internal meetings.
• Execute and maintain seasonal line lists, ensuring alignment with the product development calendar and key deadlines.
• Collaborate with Technical Design & Design team to ensure accuracy of specifications from initial concept through technical design packages.
• Participate in design reviews, and product walkthroughs with the Design Director or Senior Vice President.
• Work cross-functionally with Production and Sales to maintain design intent throughout the development and production process.
• Track development progress and proactively follow up on outstanding items to ensure timely execution.
• Build and establish rapport with factories overseas to ensure timely development of Market Samples.
• Able to manage multiple projects and deadlines with support and resources as needed
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned

Specific Job Skills

• Ability to Multitask and shift gears quickly to new projects, while maintaining and following through current designs and presentations.
• Must have experience working with both Leather and PVC materials.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field
• Minimum of 3–5 years of design experience, preferably in handbags or accessories
• Strong aesthetic sensibility with a high level of creativity and attention to detail
• Excellent presentation and visual communication skills
• Strong illustration and sketching abilities (hand and digital)
• Knowledge of handbag construction, materials, hardware, and trims
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative team player with strong follow-through
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel

The expected base salary for this position ranges from $65,000 - $70,000. Ranges are based on various factors such as relevant skillset, training, years of experience related to the current job description, education, and our organizational structure. In addition to the base salary, Steve Madden offers a competitive benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401K, paid holidays, a generous paid time-off policy, and career opportunities within a dynamic team.