Design Assistant, Polo Women's Sweaters

Ralph Lauren; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Ralph Lauren Corporation in New York seeks a Design Assistant for Polo Women’s Sweaters to support the design team through the seasonal development process. This role involves research, archival maintenance, and creating boards while coordinating with cross-functional partners and overseas teams to bring concepts to life.

The position requires familiarity with sweater design, strong organizational skills, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and PLM systems.

Qualifications

• Internship or prior experience in apparel design preferred.
• Familiarity with sweater design, yarns, knitting techniques, and garment construction preferred.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign/XD.
• Experience working with PLM systems preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and willingness to learn.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to build effective working relationships across teams.
• Familiarity with AI-supported design tools and openness to leveraging emerging technologies within the product creation process.

Responsibilities

• Support the Design team throughout the seasonal product development process, from concept through production.
• Assist with research on trends, silhouettes, yarns, construction techniques, patterns, textures, trims, and competitive market landscape.
• Maintain seasonal inspiration, research, and design archives.
• Create and update presentation boards, image layouts, and visual tools to support design reviews.
• Assist with sketching, detail sketches, and preparation of design documentation.
• Input and maintain accurate product information, images, and technical details within PLM and other design systems.
• Support technical package preparation and updates to ensure information is complete and accurate.
• Assist with grading layouts and organizing design assets.
• Build and maintain trim, yarn, and reference libraries.
• Communicate with cross-functional partners and overseas teams to support information sharing and project follow-up.
• Assist with sample tracking, line review preparation, and other seasonal milestones.
• Support general organization and administrative functions for the design team.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Attention to detail

Written and verbal communication

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Collaborative mindset

Education

Internship or prior experience in apparel design

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

InDesign/XD

PLM systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Pay Range: The pay range for this job is $50000 - $75550 annually; actual pay is dependent on experience and geographic location.

Benefits: Base pay is only one part of our employee value proposition, which includes a robust benefits package, above-market time off, hybrid working arrangements, incentive compensation, where applicable, and varied learning opportunities.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands.

At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Design Assistant, Polo Women's Sweaters provides administrative, technical, and creative support to the Sweater Design team throughout the seasonal product development process. This role supports line development, technical package maintenance, research, and design execution while ensuring accuracy, organization, and timely completion of deliverables. Working closely with Design, Product Development, and overseas partners, the Design Assistant helps facilitate day-to-day operations and contributes to bringing seasonal concepts to life.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Design team throughout the seasonal product development process, from concept through production.
• Assist with research on trends, silhouettes, yarns, construction techniques, patterns, textures, trims, and competitive market landscape.
• Maintain seasonal inspiration, research, and design archives.
• Create and update presentation boards, image layouts, and visual tools to support design reviews.
• Assist with sketching, detail sketches, and preparation of design documentation.
• Input and maintain accurate product information, images, and technical details within PLM and other design systems.
• Support technical package preparation and updates to ensure information is complete and accurate.
• Assist with grading layouts and organizing design assets.
• Build and maintain trim, yarn, and reference libraries.
• Communicate with cross-functional partners and overseas teams to support information sharing and project follow-up.
• Assist with sample tracking, line review preparation, and other seasonal milestones.
• Support general organization and administrative functions for the design team.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Internship or prior experience in apparel design preferred.
• Familiarity with sweater design, yarns, knitting techniques, and garment construction preferred.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign/XD.
• Experience working with PLM systems preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and willingness to learn.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to build effective working relationships across teams.
• Familiarity with AI-supported design tools and openness to leveraging emerging technologies within the product creation process.

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Ralph Lauren will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance laws. Please note background checks will be evaluated individually.