Designer, Sweaters (WHBM)

Chico's FAS, Inc DBA Chico's Retail Services, Inc; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

KnitWell Group in Fort Myers, FL is seeking a senior product designer to lead category development for our brands including White House Black Market. You will drive seasonal concept direction, line plans, fabrics, trims, and presentation boards.

You will partner with cross-functional teams to ensure on-time delivery, margin goals, and brand integrity, while mentoring juniors and presenting to senior management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Design required.
• 5-7 years’ experience in design within the retail industry.
• Excellent managerial, organization and leadership skills.
• Strong knowledge of fit, construction, fabrics, finishes.

Responsibilities

• Develops product categories and seasonal direction with concept boards.
• Coordinates with cross-functional teams to align line plans and timing.
• Manages fittings, fabrics, trims and construction with design partners.
• Presents line concepts to senior management and merchants.
• Ensures brand integrity and competitive margin while driving newness.
• Attends fittings and contributes to embellishment and CAD mockups.

Skills

Design experience

Brand development

Cross-functional collaboration

Creative direction

Education

Bachelor's degree in Design

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

InDesign

Micrograph

Microsoft Excel

CAD

Job description

About us Built on the foundation of fashion’s most iconic color contrast – White + Black – WHBM inspires independent women to embrace their power and femininity through modern yet timeless styles. We’re proud to be a place for passionate people to learn, grow, and build empowered careers.

Position Objective

This position is responsible for building and developing a product category. This role works closely with teams to create the seasonal concept direction, line plan style needs, adhering to margin requirements, and completion of all facets of the development of product. Manages brand integrity through internal and external design partnerships. This position has a creative eye for product with the ability to drive business forward.

Functional Responsibilities

Develops product and partners with those designing other categories to ensure cohesive design direction. Works with the cross functional teams (CFT) to coordinate assortments for presentation through print artwork, fabric, silhouette, outfit coordination and presentation boards. Manages multiple seasons at different stages of development, while understanding the PLC development calendar and ensuring teams are adhering to the T&A. Executes development interpretation and communicates creative packages and deadlines to internal and external teams. Executes against timelines on PLC development calendar and line plan needs. Coordinates visual boards and samples to drive newness to the brand. Prepares and assists in seasonal product reviews to senior management and merchant team by creating line presentation and concept boards. Partners with sourcing to identify yardage and color needs for development samples. Manages fabric development and seasonal presentation for core category in partnership with raw materials. Shops stores to identify trends relative to the business and purchases samples that our applicable to our customer. Works closely with cross functional teams to compliment and coordinate process, procedures, and development needs/packages. May attend fit sessions in partnership with technical design for styling and aesthetic comments/input. May present at design meetings. May create artwork for embellishments, plaid and stripes, and mock up projects. Values individuality and the diverse talents of their team. Leads the team by communicating expectations, providing guidance, delivering feedback, and empowering the team to be their best. This position may be found in multiple brands. Some duties may vary from brand to brand.

Education

Bachelor’s degree required, 4 year college degree in Design

Required Qualifications

5-7 years’ experience in design within the retail industry, preferably contemporary market Excellent managerial, organization and leadership skills Excellent verbal and visual communication skills Navigate and lead through change Strong knowledge Fit and construction Hand on/ Dynamic team player Strong listening skills Computer proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator , Excel, and Word Ability to create or visualize an idea and produce a design by hand or using CAD a plus Past experience in business/design with solid understanding of details and trims. Solid understanding of Fit, fabrics, finishes and construction a plus InDesign and Micrograph experience preferred #LI-CS4

Location: Corporate FAS Retail Services - Fort Myers, FL 33928

Position Type: Regular/Full time

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable law. The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process, please contact [e-mail]. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business. The Company will not revoke or alter a job offer based on an applicant’s request for reasonable accommodation.

KnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, Chico's, Haven Well Within, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Soma, Talbots, White House Black Market. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful. Our common thread is our commitment to create exceptional products, provide memorable experiences, and achieve superior results. Our associates are innovators who thrive through collaboration and are dedicated to excellence. At the heart of it all are the customers we serve. We are dedicated to creating fashion that not only looks good but also makes our customers feel good.