Associate Textile Designer

Socket.dev; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Merchandise discounts

Performance-based incentives

Annual merit review

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Macy's is seeking an Associate Textile Designer to join the Design team in New York. This role focuses on trend research, developing prints, colors, and graphics that align with the brand DNA, and collaborating with cross‑functional teams to deliver market-ready collections.

The candidate should have 3–6 years of industry experience, strong color and print sensibilities, and the ability to mentor junior designers while managing multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field.
• 3–6 years of industry experience.
• Ability to access and review written and electronic information and move within the work environment.
• Ability to view and differentiate the color spectrum.
• Able to work a flexible schedule based on department and company needs.

Responsibilities

• Participate in trend and category research and identify cultural trends impact on fashion.
• Source inspiration from runways, museums, vintage stores, and tradeshows.
• Develop direction for vendor tools and guidelines for prints and graphics.
• Create artwork and colorways for product categories aligned with brand DNA.
• Recolor and design prints, jacquards, embroidery, embellishments, and graphics.
• Prepare print boards and set up presentations for the market.

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

MAC

MS Office

Excel

Kaledo

Ned

Procreate

Adobe Design

PLM

Job description

Be part of an amazing story

Macy’s is more than just a store. We’re a story. One that’s captured the hearts and minds of America for more than 160 years. A story about innovations and traditions…about inspiring stores and irresistible products…about the excitement of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, and the wonder of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. We’ve been part of memorable moments and milestones for countless customers and colleagues. Those stories are part of what makes this such a special place to work.

Job Overview

The Associate Textile Designer plays a key role on the Design team at Macy's, where they have the opportunity to think, dream, and create. Macy's values original design and intentional product creation, fostering an environment that supports designers who are visionaries and leaders.

As an emerging leader within a brand or area, the Associate Textile Designer builds strong relationships and develops ownership skills, contributing to a Design community that values innovation and teamwork.

What You Will Do

• Participate in trend and category research, including the retail market, and identify cultural trends and their impact on the fashion industry. Source inspiration from runways and unique outlets such as museums, vintage stores, and tradeshows.
• Support strategic meetings by recommending print and pattern assortments for key resources, design, and team management.
• Develop direction for vendor tools, including print and graphic guidelines for the brand.
• Create artwork and colorways for specific product categories, ensuring alignment with the overall vision and maintaining artistic and brand DNA in collaboration with the Senior Textile Designer.
• Recolor and design prints, jacquards, embroidery, embellishments, yarn dyes, and graphics.
• Prepare print boards and set up presentations for the market.
• Assist in designing "companion" prints.
• Create accurate pattern repeats.
• Develop pitches and supply print and color chips for development packages.
• Adhere to the seasonal time and action calendar to meet deadlines, prioritize tasks, and manage workload expectations.
• Conduct competitive shopping for trend and research development.
• Maintain and organize the file structure within the brand for both external and internal partners, using SharePoint and PLM.
• Process and save print studio files.
• Maintain industry connections to discover new business opportunities and ideas, representing and supporting Macy’s brand while building relationships.
• Regularly communicate with design and product management teams to gather input and share print and pattern development direction.
• Collaborate daily with overseas offices to share print and pattern development information.
• Serve as an emerging leader in the design community by mentoring assistant designers (where applicable), leading peers, managing upward, and gaining influence across the organization.
• Inspire, motivate, and influence others to drive high performance.
• Engage the team by examining current practices and encouraging creative thinking to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Confidently assert ideas and persuade others in a clear, composed manner, tailoring messages for the audience to gain support and commitment.
• Embrace risk-taking and celebrate it, regardless of the outcome.
• Exhibit a collaborative, consultative style and build trust and relationships across all levels and functions of the organization.
• Demonstrate resilience, tenacity, and high energy, bouncing back quickly from adversity.
• Approach change with realistic optimism, persisting through challenges and setbacks.
• Foster an environment of acceptance and respect that strengthens relationships, and ensures authentic connections with colleagues, customers, and communities

Skills You Will Need

Trend and Cultural Awareness: Ability to conduct thorough trend and category research, identify cultural trends, and understand their impact on the fashion industry. Sourcing inspiration from various outlets, including runways, museums, vintage stores, and tradeshows.

Design Proficiency: Expertise in creating and recoloring prints, jacquards, embroidery, embellishments, yarn dyes, and graphics. Strong color sense, print sense, and the ability to hand paint or illustrate as needed. Familiarity with creating pattern repeats and "companion" prints.

Artistic and Brand Alignment: Ability to develop artwork and colorways for specific product categories, ensuring consistency with the overall brand vision and collaborating with the Senior Textile Designer to maintain artistic and brand DNA.

Technical Skills: Proficiency in MAC operations, MS Office, Excel, Kaledo, Ned, Procreate, and Adobe Design programs. A working knowledge of PLM is a plus. Must have the ability to differentiate the color spectrum.

Communication and Collaboration: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design needs and collaborate effectively with design and product management teams, overseas offices, and cross-functional partners.

Leadership and Teamwork: Ability to mentor assistant designers, manage upward, and influence peers. Motivates others to drive high performance and encourages creative thinking within the team. Exhibits collaborative and consultative leadership.

Organization and Time Management: Strong prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines, adhere to the seasonal calendar, and maintain an organized file structure.

Adaptability and Resilience: Demonstrates resilience, high energy, and the ability to quickly recover from setbacks. Comfortable taking risks and embracing change with optimism.

Self-Starter: Able to work independently with minimal supervision while ensuring regular, dependable attendance and punctuality.

Who You Are

• Candidates with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field are encouraged to apply. 3-6 years of industry experience.
• This role involves performing essential job functions such as communication, collaboration, and use of office and computer systems. Responsibilities include the ability to access and review written and electronic information, and to move within the work environment and interact with workplace materials as needed to carry out job responsibilities.
• Requires the ability to view and differentiate the color spectrum.
• Able to work a flexible schedule based on department and company needs.

What We Can Offer You

Join a team where work is as rewarding as it is fun! We offer a dynamic, inclusive environment with competitive pay and benefits. Enjoy comprehensive health and wellness coverage and a 401(k) match to invest in your future. Prioritize your well-being with paid time off and eight paid holidays. Grow your career with continuous learning and leadership development. Plus, build community by joining one of our Colleague Resource Groups and make a difference through our volunteer opportunities.

• Merchandise discounts
• Performance-based incentives
• Annual merit review
• Employee Assistance Program with mental health counseling and legal/financial advice
• Tuition reimbursement

Access the full menu of benefits offerings here.

About Us

This is a great time to join Macy’s! Whether you’re helping a customer find the perfect gift, streamlining operations in one of our distribution centers, enhancing our online shopping experience, buying in-style and on-trend merchandise to outfit our customers, or designing a balloon for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, we offer unique opportunities to be part of some of the most memorable moments in people’s lives.

Join us and help write the next chapter in our story - Apply Today!

This job description is not all-inclusive. Macy's, Inc. reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. Macy's, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.