Designer, Wrangler Collaborations & Special Projects

Kontoor Brands, Inc.; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Kontoor Brands, Inc. in Greensboro, NC, is seeking a Designer for Wrangler Collaborations & Special Projects. You will own concept to pre-production, drive color, prints, wash direction, and work with cross-functional teams.

This role requires a Bachelor's in apparel design and 5+ years in apparel design, including people management. Travel open; you will mentor junior designers and align with brand DNA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in apparel design, art, graphics or equivalent combination of experience preferred.
• 5+ years of professional experience in apparel design, with at least 1-2 years managing people.

Responsibilities

• Brand Awareness – Understand Wrangler Brand Creative Vision and DNA; implement new ideas and innovations.
• Develop and deliver innovative concepts, color, print & pattern direction, and wash direction; design into brand right products.
• Review prototypes with PD and overseas partners; troubleshoot to meet cost targets and discuss line enhancements.
• Partner with Technical Design to build best-in-class fits and cost-efficient constructions.
• Present concepts and seasonal directions at Milestone Meetings; build design CAD sheets and decks.
• Collaborate with Design and cross-functional teams; mentor junior designers and direct reports.
• Manage go-to-market calendar deadlines and ensure timely delivery of design assets.

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Fabric & trim sourcing

Garment construction & fit

Print & pattern direction

Color direction

Team collaboration

Storytelling / presentation

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in apparel design, art, graphics

Tools

Illustrator

Photoshop

Flat sketching

Tech packs

V-Stitcher/3D design

Job description

Who We Are:

Kontoor Brands is a portfolio of three of the world’s most iconic lifestyle, outdoor and workwear brands: Wrangler®, Lee® and Helly Hansen®. Kontoor Brands is a purpose-led organization focused on leveraging its global platform, strategic sourcing model and best-in-class supply chain to drive brand growth and deliver long- term value for its stakeholders.

Designer: Wrangler Collaborations & Special Projects

This position reports to the Director of Collaborations & Special Projects and is responsible for all design activities related to Collaborations & Special Projects. Works with cross-functional work streams to drive new, trend right and innovative product consistent with the merchandising brief, while staying true to the Brand DNA. Designer is responsible for owning the category/business from concept to pre-production. Works with cross functional teams to build out concept, color, artwork direction, fabric and trims, and wash direction. Is an expert in the design process and has creative solutions to build efficiencies in the daily design functions.

Responsibilities

• Brand Awareness – Understands Wrangler’s Brand Creative Vision and DNA and utilize this tool to implement new ideas and innovations.
• Strong individual contributor – Creative designer who develops and delivers innovative and brand right concepts, color, print & pattern direction, and wash direction. Responsible for designing into brand right products. Ability to create plaids and simple prints and to recolor.
• Competitive Positioning – Responsible for the creative aesthetic from concept to consumer for all product and assortment needs. Market research of inspirational and competitor brands. Stay connected to what’s happening in the market and understand the trends that are emerging. Understand the history and hindsight of the past seasons to help drive relevant new styles and potential white space.
• Style Ownership – Review and comment on the details, construction, fabrics, trims, and wash on prototypes with Product Development and overseas partners. Troubleshoot with PD and overseas partners to meet cost targets. Discuss and strategize style changes and line enhancements with Merchandising partners.
• Fit Development – Partner with Technical Design team to build into best in class fits and cost efficient constructions.
• Market Ready Presentation – Responsible for presenting concepts and communicating seasonal direction and designs at Milestone Meetings. Manage and maintain the building of Design presentation boards, decks and Design cadsheets.
• Team Collaboration – Be a positive influencer to junior designers and direct reports. Must have excellent collaboration and interpersonal skills to be able to connect, communicate, and work efficiently with the Design and Cross-functional teams. Teamwork and clear communication are essential to ensure your teams have the most up-to-date information.
• Go-to-Market Calendar and Deadlines – Understand and deliver to the go-to-market calendar deadlines. Know how to anticipate what’s coming next and what your team/manager may need/want.

Skills for Success

• Strong knowledge of sourcing fabrics and trims.
• Driving to build the best in class garments with strong knowledge in construction and fit.
• Strong knowledge of garment finishing and washing.
• Proficient in designing - Adobe Creative Suite – Illustrator, Photoshop, etc, flat sketching skills, and building tech packs.
• Familiar with V-Stitcher/3D design – preferred but not required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs - as Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Efficient in verbal and written communication skills.
• Take ownership and initiative in your category, able to problem solve, think creatively, focus on the details, and a commitment to high quality of work.
• Highly organized and able to communicate appropriately.
• Have confidence in presenting and have strong story-telling skills.
• Strong multi-tasking capabilities – be able to be flexible and agile while prioritizing time and deadlines.
• Build trust with your team members in Design, Merch, Tech Design, Overseas Partners, etc.
• Be a positive influencer and mentor junior designers and direct reports.
• Have a positive attitude and outlook and be a team player.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in apparel design, art, graphics or equivalent combination of experience preferred.
• 5+ years of professional experience in apparel design, with at least 1-2 years managing people.

Special Physical and/or Mental Requirements

• Open to travel.
• Be able to move around heavy boxes and lift and move tall presentation boards.

Leadership Competencies Expected for this Role

• Emerging Leader Global Agility – Open to diverse views, adapts to new ways of working.
• Purposeful Integrity – Demonstrates ethical behavior, follows through on commitments.
• Strategic Foresight – Understands team goals, asks strategic questions.
• Customer Centric Innovation – Suggests improvements from customer feedback, tries new methods.
• Urgency for Impact – Act quickly and take ownership of outcomes.
• Bold Accountability – Own your work and deliver consistently strong results.
• Empowered Collaboration – Share ideas, listens well, collaborates with peers.

Why Kontoor Brands?

At Kontoor, we offer a comprehensive benefit package to fit your lifestyle. Our benefits are crafted with the same care as our products. When our employees are healthy, secure, and well, they bring their best selves to work. Kontoor Brands supports you with a competitive benefits program that provides choice and flexibility to meet your and your family’s needs – now and in the future.

We offer resources to support your physical, emotional, social, and financial wellbeing, plus benefits like discounts on our apparel.

Kontoor Brands also provides four weeks of Paid Parental Leave to eligible employees who are new parents, Flexible Fridays, and Tuition Reimbursement.

We are proud to offer a workplace culture centered on equitable opportunities and a sense of belonging for all team members. Here we have a global workforce of high-performing teams that both unlocks our individual uniqueness and harnesses our collaborative talents.

Diversity Vision Statement

Kontoor Brands is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our associates, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business.

The continued success and growth of Kontoor Brands is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity throughout Kontoor Brands around the world.

Kontoor Brands is a equal employment opportunity/ affirmative action employer of minorities, females, protected veterans and the disabled.

Kontoor Brands is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and treating our Kontoor Brands associates and Kontoor Brands applicants without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, HIV/AIDS status, or any other legally protected factor.

Kontoor Brands, Inc. Kontoor Brands is a lifestyle apparel company with a strong established global footprint. We operate in more than 50 countries, with corporate offices in the United States, Europe and Asia, as well as internal manufacturing facilities located in the Western Hemisphere.

Kontoor Brands, Inc. Kontoor Brands is a lifestyle apparel company with a strong established global footprint. We operate in more than 50 countries, with corporate offices in the United States, Europe and Asia, as well as internal manufacturing facilities located in the Western Hemisphere. This is an exciting time to be a part of Kontoor Brands globally, as we are focused on leveraging our global platform to drive brand growth and are committed to further geographic expansion.

Kontoor Brands, Inc.

At Kontoor Brands, we're dedicated to recruiting top talent who share our drive for innovation. To safeguard candidates, Kontoor will never request personal data and sensitive information during the application phase. Interviews are never conducted through messaging apps or other calling services. If personal information is requested to initiate the hiring process, rest assured it will be through secure and protected means. If you have any questions about an open position at Kontoor, please contact us at [e-mail]