Associate Manager, Trend & Concept

LOFT; New York (NY); On-site; USD 68,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Merchandise discount

Career development

Volunteer opportunities

Medical, dental, vision

401(k)

EAP

Paid time off

Job summary

KnitWell Group’s LOFT brand seeks an Associate Manager, Trend & Concept in New York to identify fashion and consumer trends and translate insights into seasonal concepts. You’ll collaborate with Design, Merchandising, Marketing, and Product Development to shape product direction and storytelling.

Ideal candidates have 2–4 years in trend forecasting or related creative roles, strong color and print sense, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint, and Keynote.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Textile Design, Merchandising, Trend Forecasting, or related field.
• 2–4 years in trend forecasting, concept development, fashion design, color, textiles, merchandising, or related role.
• Strong understanding of women’s apparel, retail trends, and fashion marketplace.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and storytelling skills.
• Highly organized with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Identify emerging fashion, cultural, and consumer trends and translate insights into seasonal concepts.
• Translate trend insights into actionable recommendations for season direction, color, prints, patterns, and styling.
• Collaborate with Design, Merchandising, Marketing, and Product Development to align concepts with business objectives.
• Develop trend libraries, mood boards, and seasonal storytelling materials.
• Present trend insights and opportunities to diverse audiences across the organization.

Skills

Trend forecasting

Concept development

Fashion design

Color theory

Textile design

Merchandising

Presentation skills

Storytelling

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design

Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design

Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising

Bachelor’s degree in Trend Forecasting

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

PowerPoint

Keynote

Microsoft Office

Job description

About us

LOFT creates modern, feminine, versatile clothing for women with one common style goal: to look and feel confident wherever the day takes them. We empower women to find their authentic self-expression because feeling like yourself is always in style. Here at LOFT, we're busy styling the careers and supporting the lives of everyday optimists just like you. Express your authentic self and experience endless inspiration, all while enjoying the opportunities and benefits that help you get the most from your career, life, and wardrobe.

About the Position

The Associate Manager, Trend & Concept plays a key role in identifying emerging fashion, cultural, and consumer trends and translating insights into inspiring seasonal concepts that support the brand vision. This position partners closely with Design, Merchandising, Marketing, and Product Development teams to help shape product direction through trend research, concept development, color stories, print inspiration, and market analysis. The Associate Manager will connect trend insights with commercial opportunities and help influence seasonal product and storytelling strategies. The ideal candidate is highly creative, trend-focused, and passionate about fashion, with a strong understanding of the customer and retail landscape. The impact you can have: Research and analyze fashion, cultural, consumer, competitive, and retail trends to identify emerging opportunities for the brand. Monitor runway shows, street style, social media, industry publications, and trend forecasting resources to stay informed on evolving trends. Translate trend insights into actionable recommendations for seasonal product categories, color direction, prints, patterns, and styling concepts. Assist in defining trend-driven narratives, color palettes, fabric directions, print concepts, and styling vision for each season. Partner closely with Design teams to ensure trend and concept direction is effectively integrated into seasonal assortments. Collaborate with Merchandising to align concepts with customer needs, line plans, and business objectives. Work with Marketing and Creative partners to ensure seasonal storytelling and product styling remain consistent across channels. Develop and present compelling presentations that communicate trend insights, concept direction, and seasonal opportunities. Organize and maintain trend libraries, inspiration resources, and seasonal concept archives. Clearly articulate ideas and recommendations to diverse audiences across the organization.

Role Requirements

You’ll bring to the role Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Textile Design, Merchandising, Trend Forecasting, or a related field. 2-4 years of experience in trend forecasting, concept development, fashion design, color, textile design, merchandising, or a related creative role. Strong understanding of women's apparel, retail trends, and the fashion marketplace. Exceptional eye for color, print, pattern, silhouette, styling, and emerging trends. Ability to translate creative inspiration into commercially relevant product concepts. Strong presentation, communication, and storytelling skills. Highly organized with excellent attention to detail and follow-through. Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint, Keynote, and Microsoft Office. Experience creating trend reports, mood boards, concept presentations, and seasonal storytelling materials preferred.

Benefits at KnitWell Group

You will be eligible to receive a merchandise discount at select KnitWell Group brands, subject to each brand’s discount policies.

Support for your individual development plus career mobility within our family of brands A culture of giving back – local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match to eligible nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic activities to support our communities*

Medical, dental, vision insurance & 401(K) retirement*

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Time off – paid time off & holidays*

The target salary range for this role is: $68,000-$70,000 *Any job offer will consider factors such your qualifications, relevant experience, and skills. Eligibility of certain benefits and associate programs are subject to employment type and role.

Applicants to this position must be authorized to work for any employer in the US without sponsorship. We are not providing sponsorship for this position.

Location & Position Type

Location: Times Square Tower-ANN-New York, NY 10036 Position Type: Regular/Full time.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable law. The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process, please contact [e-mail]. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business. The Company will not revoke or alter a job offer based on an applicant’s request for reasonable accommodation.

About KnitWell Group

KnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, Chico's, Haven Well Within, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Soma, Talbots, White House Black Market. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful. Our common thread is our commitment to create exceptional products, provide memorable experiences, and achieve superior results. Our associates are innovators who thrive through collaboration and are dedicated to excellence. At the heart of it all are the customers we serve. We are dedicated to creating fashion that not only looks good but also makes our customers feel good.