Color and Print Manager

24 Seven Talent; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global fashion firm is seeking a Color and Print Manager to lead print direction for multiple brands. This role involves creating seasonal print concepts, collaborating with design and vendors, and managing artwork development. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of experience in textile design and strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite. The position requires excellent communication and organization skills as well as a deep understanding of brand aesthetics and customer profiles. This role is hybrid with three days in-office.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in textile/print design.
• Experience in women’s and lifestyle apparel categories.
• Proven experience directing or managing CAD/print teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead seasonal print and color direction across multiple brands.
• Develop seasonal print and color concepts.
• Manage artwork development with global vendors.

Skills

Textile/print design

Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite

Strong communication skills

Ability to manage multiple brands

Understanding of color management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design or related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Job description

Global fashion firm is seeking a Color and Print Manager to lead seasonal print, pattern, and color direction across a multi-brand, multi-category portfolio. This role will be central in defining and executing brand-right print strategies for a range of women’s and lifestyle brands.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, hands‑on print expert with experience in multi-category and multi-brand environments, who can translate global trends into commercially viable artwork and partner closely with design, merchandising, and overseas vendors. Private label experience is preferred, but not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Seasonal Print & Color Direction
• Develop and own seasonal print and color concepts for assigned brands, ensuring alignment with each brand’s aesthetic and target customer.
• Create and present Global Trend Reports bi‑annually to internal stakeholders for seasonal inspiration and line‑building guidance.
• Provide a clear, actionable framework of color palettes, print stories, and key motifs for use across multiple categories and brands.
• Lead and mentor a team of CAD Artists, setting direction and priorities for new seasonal artwork and print development.
• Create detailed artwork pitch sheets for various product categories, including wovens, knits, intarsias, swim, intimates, sportswear, dresses, tops, and sleepwear.
• Oversee recoloring, refinement, and color reduction of existing artworks from vendors to meet aesthetic, technical, and cost parameters.
• Send pitch sheets and technical artwork packages to overseas vendors, ensuring clarity on print execution, technique, and feasibility.
• Evaluate prints for technical and cost feasibility, recommending screen counts, print techniques, and color separations that meet margin targets.
• Communicate daily with multiple global vendors to manage artwork development, resolve issues, and drive timely approvals.
• Track each strike‑off from submission through approval, providing clear comments, revisions, and follow‑up to maintain production timelines.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
• Partner with category designers to review and approve artwork strike‑offs, ensuring fit with product design, fabric, and construction.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure cohesive print stories and balanced assortments.
• Work closely with brand managers on calendar management, print purchasing, and adherence to print budgets.
• Support merchandising and sales with print and color narratives for line reviews and key account presentations as needed.
• Brand & Customer Understanding
• Deeply understand multiple brand identities and customer profiles, tailoring print and color direction to each unique aesthetic.
• Balance trend‑right innovation with commercial viability, ensuring that artwork supports line architecture and business needs.
• Maintain brand consistency while leveraging print and color to differentiate product across channels or customers.
• Cost & Process Management
• Ensure print development aligns with cost targets and margin goals, particularly with screen‑printed techniques.
• Proactively optimize artwork (color counts, repeat size, coverage) to manage print costs without sacrificing design integrity.
• Support continuous improvement of print workflows, tools, and communication practices to increase speed‑to‑market and accuracy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design, Fashion Design, Surface Design, Graphic Design, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Significant experience (typically 10+ years) in textile/print design, color, and CAD for apparel; multi‑category and multi‑brand experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in women’s and lifestyle apparel categories (e.g., dresses, knits, sportswear, swim, intimates, accessories).
• Private label or wholesale brand experience is highly preferred, but not required.
• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) and CAD textile tools; strong understanding of color management and print production processes.
• Proven experience directing or managing CAD/print teams or acting as a senior print lead.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret global trends into brand‑right, commercially viable print assortments.
• Strong communication skills for effective collaboration with designers, brand managers, and overseas vendors.
• Highly organized, with proven ability to manage multiple brands, categories, and timelines simultaneously.
• Comfort working in a hybrid environment with 3 days per week in the office.