Color Development Manager

SKIMS

Los Angeles (CA)

On-site

USD 100,000 - 115,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Job summary

SKIMS, a solutions-oriented brand, seeks a Color Development Manager in Los Angeles HQ to lead end-to-end color development across product categories, ensuring color accuracy, quality, and on-time delivery from concept through production.

You will partner with Design, Materials, Production, Sourcing, and mills to translate creative color direction into executable standards, while mentoring a color team in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in textile/fashion or related field.
5+ years in color or textile development within apparel.
Strong knowledge of color theory, dye processes, and fabrics.
Experience evaluating lab dips, yarn dyes, prints, and color approvals.
Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end color development from concept to bulk production.
Review lab dips, strike-offs, and color submissions for accuracy.
Provide actionable color feedback to mills and vendors.
Partner with Design, Materials, Production, and Sourcing to align calendars.
Manage color standards, documentation, and approvals across locations.
Mentor team members and drive color process improvements.

Skills

Color development

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Textile Design, Fashion Design, or related field

Tools

PLM systems

Adobe Suite

Airtable

Microsoft Office

Color management software

Job description

Color Development Manager

Application Deadline: 30 November 2026

Department: Production and Sourcing

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Los Angeles HQ

Reporting To: Ellie Torres

Compensation: $100,000 - $115,000 / year

Description

SKIMS is a solutions-oriented brand creating the next generation of underwear, loungewear, shapewear, and essentials. We are setting new standards by delivering technically innovative, comfort-driven products with elevated design for everybody.

At the intersection of culture, innovation, and commerce, SKIMS is a global brand redefining modern apparel. Our teams are built on creativity, collaboration, and operational excellence, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive, high-performance environment where ambitious, curious, and values-driven individuals can do the best work of their careers.

As we continue to scale globally, our HQ teams play a critical role in shaping strategy, building world-class infrastructure, and driving sustainable growth across markets.

SKIMS is looking for a Color Development Manager. The Development Manager is responsible for leading the end-to-end color development process across assigned product categories, ensuring color accuracy, consistency, quality, and on-time execution from concept through production.

This role serves as the key liaison between Design, Product Development, Materials, Sourcing, Production, and external mills and vendors to translate creative color direction into commercially executable standards. The ideal candidate combines a strong technical understanding of color with exceptional organization, communication, and problem-solving skills and thrives in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities

Color Development & Execution

Manage the seasonal color development process from initial color standards through bulk production approval.
Partner closely with Design and Materials teams to translate seasonal color direction into achievable production standards across fabrics, trims, and components.
Review and evaluate lab dips, strike-offs, yarn dyes, prints, trims, and other color submissions for accuracy and consistency.
Provide clear, actionable color comments and approvals to mills, vendors, and suppliers.
Ensure color consistency across multiple materials, fabrications, product categories, and manufacturing locations.
Identify potential color challenges early and recommend solutions that balance creative intent, technical feasibility, cost, and timeline.
Maintain approved color standards and ensure accurate communication of standards across internal teams and external partners.

Cross-Functional Partnership

Serve as the primary color development partner across Design, Materials, Product Development, Production, Sourcing, and Quality teams.
Participate in seasonal color reviews and milestone meetings, proactively communicating risks, approvals, and outstanding actions.
Partner with Materials and Product Development teams to ensure color approvals align with development and production calendars.
Collaborate with vendors and mills to troubleshoot color discrepancies and drive timely resolution.
Support teams in understanding color limitations, dye feasibility, impact due to fabric construction & finishes, and production considerations.

Calendar & Process Management

Own and maintain color development timelines, tracking submissions and approvals against key seasonal milestones.
Proactively identify risks to the development calendar and escalation issues when necessary.
Manage multiple seasons, categories, and color developments simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
Develop and improve color development processes, tools, and tracking systems to increase efficiency and visibility.
Maintain accurate color records, approval history, and seasonal documentation.
Monitor and evaluate color development metrics (pending, first-submission, rejection, approval, and dropped rates by season and category) to identify systemic issues and drive continuous improvement

Vendor & Quality Management

Build strong working relationships with mills, dye houses, suppliers, and manufacturing partners.
Establish clear expectations for color submissions, approval standards, and turnaround times.
Monitor vendor color performance and identify opportunities to improve first-pass approval rates, consistency, and speed.
Partner with Quality and Production teams to address color-related issues during bulk production.
Support the development of color quality standards and best practices across the supplier + vendor base.

Team Leadership

Provide guidance and technical expertise to cross-functional partners and junior team members.
Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to color development.
Help establish best practices and training related to color evaluation, communication, and approval processes.
Support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen color accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Bachelor's degree in Textile Design, Textile Science, Fashion Design, Product Development, or a related field preferred.
5+ years of experience in color development, textile development, materials development, product development, or a related apparel function.
Strong knowledge of textile color development, dyeing processes, fabric construction, and material behavior.
Experience evaluating and approving lab dips, strike-offs, yarn dyes, prints, trims, and bulk color.
Strong visual color acuity and understanding of color theory, superior score on HUE MUNSELL 100 Test.
Experience working directly with domestic and international mills, vendors, and manufacturing partners.
Knowledge of color measurement systems and tools, including spectrophotometers, lightboxes, and digital color management platforms, preferred.
Familiarity with engineered color standards & providers, Pantone and Archroma color systems preferred.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and seasonal deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to provide concise, actionable technical feedback.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make informed decisions in a fast-paced dynamic environment.
Proficiency with PLM systems, Adobe Suite, Airtable, Microsoft Office Suite, and color management software preferred.