Design Department Administrator

Malakye; Sausalito (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Carve Designs is seeking an organized, proactive Design Administrator in Sausalito, CA to support the design team and run daily studio operations. You will report to the Senior Designer and help keep the department running smoothly in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

This is an entry-level, full-time, in-house role focused on office organization, sample logistics, GTM prep, and fabric/trim libraries.

Qualifications

• Entry-level, full-time, in-house position in Sausalito.
• Design experience is nice-to-have but not required.

Responsibilities

• Design Administration & Office Upkeep: manage packages, ship to partners, track Pantones, maintain design assets, keep office organized, take notes in reviews.

Skills

Organized

Proactive

Curious

Job description

Carve Designs started in 2003 on a surf trip to San Pancho, Mexico. Two friends, Jennifer Hinton and Thayer Sylvester, began making the rash guards and board shorts they couldn't find anywhere else. That idea grew into a full beach lifestyle brand covering surf, swim, balance and everyday clothing.

Carve is founded and led by women, and the brand is built on sustainable materials and a real love of adventure. The pieces are made for women who spend their days in the water, on the trail and everywhere in between. Our new headquarters is in Sausalito, California, right on the water. Every collection starts in our design studio there, and this job sits at the center of it.

Job Overview

We are looking for an organized, proactive and curious Design Administrator to support our design team and run daily studio operations. You will report directly to the Senior Designer and keep the design department running smoothly day to day.

This is an entry-level, full-time, in-house position in Sausalito for a self-starter who loves to learn and thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. You will manage office organization, sample logistics, Go-To-Market (GTM) preparation, and our fabric and trim libraries. Design experience is a nice-to-have but not required. We care most about finding the right cultural fit: someone excited to learn our systems and grow with the team.

Key Responsibilities

Design Administration & Office Upkeep

• Receive and distribute incoming packages, including fit samples, color submits and fabric development submits.
• Ship packages to key partners, factories, freelancers and vendors.
• Order Pantones and build seasonal color rings.
• Manage and maintain physical design assets, such as foam core presentation boards.
• Keep the entire office organized, including Pantones, competitive samples and fabric libraries.
• Take thorough, accurate notes during design reviews and key team meetings.

GTM Meeting Preparation

• Build deep product knowledge so you understand the line and can support seasonal milestones.
• Gather, organize and present the physical samples needed for GTM reviews.
• Print and prepare visual assets and presentation materials for cross-functional meetings.

Sample & Development Tracking

• Track, receive and file seasonal fabric development submits, lab dips, strike-offs and knitdowns.
• Approve bulk trims and fabrics only when they match the approved SMS (Salesman Sample) standard.
• Maintain the seasonal fabric and trim library, keeping carryover (C/O) and new materials clearly separated.
• Organize core color palette standards for active carryover programs.
• Handle seasonal archiving and disposal of outdated physical assets.

Logistics & Warehouse Operations

• Measure and record the punch weight of all new fabric developments.
• Work with the warehouse team to coordinate SMS packing.