Design Manager

Gina Group; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Generous PTO and paid holidays

401K & Profit sharing

Team building and Company events

Job summary

Gina Group is seeking a Design Manager to lead its footwear team, owning design direction across multiple brands. The role involves creating digital CADs, developing tech packs, and mentoring designers to deliver high-quality collections.

You will manage calendars, balance capacity with priorities, and work with cross-functional partners to ensure timely delivery while upholding brand standards. Strong Illustrator/Photoshop skills and market insight are essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of footwear design experience.
• Experience managing designers and driving creative output.
• Strong communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Own design directions for brands and manage seasonal collections; create digital CADs.
• Prepare tech packs to communicate design details to teams and factories.
• Mentor designers with clear direction, feedback and growth opportunities.
• Own and update the design team's calendar, coordinating projects and deadlines.
• Balance team capacity with business priorities and identify scheduling conflicts.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to prioritize requests and set timelines.
• Oversee the PLM system and ensure design standards are met.
• Lead sample reviews, approve submissions, and coordinate with product, color, and material standards.
• Conduct market research to inspire the team and present ideas in weekly meetings.
• Collaborate with the design director and overseas teams to resolve technical or timing issues.
• Work with product development to ensure designs are produced as envisioned; primarily design in Illustrator with minimal Photoshop retouching.
• Bring new ideas regularly and refine product styling after internal testing feedback.
• Assist in creating pitches for current and new licenses; present to licensors and buyers.
• Monitor competitive landscape through store and market visits to identify differentiation opportunities.

Skills

Footwear design

Team leadership

Creative direction

Tools

Illustrator

Photoshop

Job description

We are looking for a Design Manager to join our footwear team who has a passion for footwear. This is a great opportunity for those looking to be a part of an energetic, creative, and collaborative group. Our designers have been shaping our department for the better season after season.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Design ownership over brands, assigned based on aesthetic and creative strengths, responsible for creating digital CADs for full seasonal collections.
• Create and then present tech packages with information necessary in order to communicate design specific detail necessary to hand off to the design team and factories
• Manage and mentor designers, providing clear direction, feedback, and support to ensure high-quality creative output and professional development.
• Own and maintain the design team’s calendar, coordinating projects, deadlines, reviews, and priorities across teams to ensure resources are appropriately allocated and work is delivered on schedule.
• Balance team capacity and business priorities, proactively identifying scheduling conflicts, resource gaps, and competing deadlines.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to prioritize design requests and establish realistic timelines and expectations.
• Manage and oversee PLM system
• Provide design direction as well as design alongside a team of designers, prepare sample requests, review, critique, test, and approve submitted samples while adhering to product, color, and material standards
• Strong eye for trend, conducting valuable market research, bringing ideas to weekly meeting and inspiring other members of design team
• Works closely with design director with creative freedom throughout process
• Communicate effectively with overseas team to resolve any technical or timing issues
• Work cross-functionally and professionally with product development team, communicating clearly to ensure the design is produced how you envisioned
• Primarily design in Illustrator with minimal retouching in Photoshop
• Bring new ideas and concepts to table regularly
• Adjust product styling or functionality as needed after receiving feedback from inhouse product testing
• Assist in creating pitches for current and new licenses
• Help to create pitches for new licenses
• Present and participate in meetings with licensors and buyers
• Perform comp shopping and store shopping activities to monitor the competitive landscape and identify opportunities for product differentiation and innovation.
• Use all available resources to stay updated on forward trends (WGSN, RVCF, etc.)

Qualifications:

• 5+ years’ experience in footwear.
• Managing staff of designers
• Experience in working for a wholesale company managing multiple licenses a plus
• Creative edge, bringing new ideas and trends to the table
• Excellent project management skills
• Positive team player
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment
• Proficient Illustrator & working knowledge of Photoshop
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong knowledge of customers and buyers’ expectations
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management to support the department’s business needs
• Understand and follow Gina’s employee policies and procedures

Benefits and Perks:

• Hybrid work schedule & early Fridays
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• 401K & Profit sharing
• Team building and Company events

NY Pay Transparency:

The pay range for this position is ($95-105k) annually based on skills and experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Gina Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

Recruitment Agencies:

Gina Group does not accept unsolicited agency resumes and will not be held responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.