Design Manager

Confidencial; New Jersey; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidencial in Monmouth County, NJ is seeking a Design Manager to elevate the brand image and lead storytelling across product development and retail projects. This role oversees art direction and design, collaborating with the CEO and cross-functional teams to deliver on-brand, market-ready concepts.

You will manage a diverse creative team, set visual standards, research fashion trends, and drive innovation for retailers such as Ross, Home Goods, Macy’s, TJX, and Costco, while ensuring timely,

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in soft home goods designs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the design strategy, aligning with the overall brand vision and business goals.
• Oversee the entire design process, from concept to final product, ensuring all designs are innovative, trend-right, and on-brand.
• Hold ownership over the look-and-feel, tone and manner of creative projects, continually striving to elevate the brand while ensuring thoughtful and consistent execution across all points of brand contact.
• Motivate, inspire, and lead a robust team of creatives. Serve as a hands-on leader that drives quality and fosters a culture of innovation and pushing boundaries to create elevated and on brand assets.
• Develop visual standards/codes (including art direction, tone and manner, graphics, and presentation formats).
• Conduct extensive research on fashion trends, market competition, and consumer insights to inform design direction.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including product development, merchandising, production, and sales, to ensure cohesive product execution.
• Ensure the development of high-quality prototypes and samples that meet design specifications and brand standards.
• Concentrated focus on retailers such as Ross, Home Goods, TJX, Macy’s, JCP, Costco, etc.
• Continuously seek out new design techniques, materials, and technologies to keep our line at the forefront of the industry.

Skills

Team management

Cross-functional collaboration

Brand licensing experience

Retail presentations

Fabric/embroidery design with overseas

Textile dyeing/printing knowledge

Print production coordination

Overseas travel (China/India)

Organizational skills

Job description

Position is in office four days a week in Monmouth County, NJ. Relocation an option. We are growing soft home goods (think comforters, sheets, pillows, towels, etc.) seeking a Design Manager who will be a creative visionary to elevate the company’s brand image and take storytelling to the next level! This is an excellent opportunity for a savvy and seasoned creative leader to make a true impact within the company.

About the Role

This position will oversee and lead art direction & product design and work closely with the CEO. You will play a pivotal role in overseeing the development and execution of effective on brand and strategically creative endeavors. You have strong experience working with cross-functional teams across Product Development, Production, & Sales, for all retail and brand-based projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the design strategy, aligning with the overall brand vision and business goals.
• Oversee the entire design process, from concept to final product, ensuring all designs are innovative, trend-right, and on-brand.
• Hold ownership over the look-and-feel, tone and manner of creative projects, continually striving to elevate the brand while ensuring thoughtful and consistent execution across all points of brand contact.
• Motivate, inspire, and lead a robust team of creatives. Serve as a hands-on leader that drives quality and fosters a culture of innovation and pushing boundaries to create elevated and on brand assets.
• Develop visual standards/codes (including art direction, tone and manner, graphics, and presentation formats.
• Conduct extensive research on fashion trends, market competition, and consumer insights to inform design direction.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including product development, merchandising, production, and sales, to ensure cohesive product execution.
• Ensure the development of high-quality prototypes and samples that meet design specifications and brand standards.
• Concentrated focus on retailers such as Ross, Home Goods, TJX, Macy’s, JCP, Costco, etc.
• Continuously seek out new design techniques, materials, and technologies to keep our line at the forefront of the industry.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in soft home goods designs.

Required Skills

• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Experience working with elevated licensed and national brands.
• Experience preparing presentations for Ross, Home Goods, TJX, Macy’s, JCP, Costco, etc.
• Experience in developing fabric / embroidery designs with overseas suppliers in China and India.
• Knowledge of the dying/printing process for textiles with a strong creative eye.
• Proven experience managing a team of designers and coordinating print processes on both a creative and production level.
• Previous overseas travel to China/India mills a plus.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Previous overseas travel to China/India mills a plus.