Director, Design - Socks

Centric Brands is a leading lifestyle brand collective that designs, sources, markets and sells high quality products in multiple segments, including women’s, men’s and kid’s apparel, accessories, entertainment and beauty. Centric Brands is focused on our customers and our brands that will drive the company’s future growth. We are defined by innovation as we seize new opportunities and thrive in an environment informed by creativity and thinking that is both analytical and outside the box. Centric Brands reflects a team built on respect, for others and for the hard work it takes to achieve our goals and build our bright future together.

Designer

What could be more exciting than putting your mark on some of the world’s most famous and well-loved fashion brands? As a designer for Centric Brands, you’ll use your skills and creativity to create designs based on style plans, sales needs and emerging trends. You will also ensure that your work can be transformed into a finished product in a timely manner and at an appropriate price point. This means working not only with our technical design and production teams, but also building collaborative relationships with outside vendors and other external stakeholders. The challenges are exciting and the possibilities endless – as you contribute your skills in a vibrant, customer- and people-centric culture that celebrates you as a valuable member of the team.

The Design Director for Socks drives the seasonal design development process, from concept to delivery, by supervising a team of designers to create original, trend-appropriate design concepts that meet market needs and drive sales, managing the timely execution of each stage in the process, and coordinating across categories to ensure consistent quality and look. They will work with premium brands like GAP, Lucky Brand, Vince Camuto, Frye, and Juicy Couture.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Innovation

• Shop and perform research to isolate key, relevant trends for each category or brand, where appropriate; review and provide perspective on competitive analysis; oversee product development and concept boards, mock-ups, color-ups and inspirational photos for presentations
• Oversee development of initial seasonal design concepts in context of larger assortment and cost structure; collaborate with sales to devise style plans and design according to trends; ensure timely execution of product development calendar; coordinate among design teams to ensure brand cohesiveness, where appropriate, across categories
• Design and develop collections that will be presented to key retail partners

Operations & Results

• Lead team in troubleshooting, including identifying and resolving quality and technical issues
• Supervise creation of Illustrator sketches; approve specification sheets and line sheets; review product development logs, line sheets and boards for consistency; approve raw materials and trims
• Approve lab dips and ensure consistency with color standards and licensor directives, where appropriate; approve prints and graphics where appropriate
• Work with our robust Design Ops team oversees to ensure the workflow is running smoothly

Customers & Relationships

• Direct interoffice communication and follow-up with internal and external customers and contacts, including suppliers and vendors; partner with production and tech; manage interoffice communication and relationships with vendors and internal customers 

Leadership & Teams

• Contribute positively to team dynamic and manage up where necessary
• Attract, develop and retain talent
• Monitor and evaluate performance of individuals and team

• Superior organizational skills and excellent communication skills; team oriented
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines; highly detail oriented, meticulous and creative
• Creativity, technical capability and sensibility for merchandising; strong ability to sketch in illustrator
• Extensive knowledge of licensed accessories with a focus on knit execution.. we are the hosiery division the knowledge of  silhouettes, color ways, fabrication and trim; familiarity with circular knitting along with novelty trim application
• Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design or Graphic Design
• 8 - 10 years experience in apparel design; significant relevant experience in category
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe products, and Mac computers
• Sock experience is preferred

In return, we provide an industry-competitive salary, along with a comprehensive benefits plan (medical, dental, vision) that includes a matching 401(k), Summer Fridays, generous PTO, merchandise discounts, excellent career development opportunities, and a work environment that reflects our industry leadership. Our social impact program, Centric Cares, focuses on volunteerism to make a difference in communities we live and work in and our D&I committee is shaping the future of diversity, equity and inclusion at Centric Brands though workshops, resources and inspiring conversation.

Salary Range: $125,000 - $130,000

At Centric Brands, we believe our people are our greatest asset, and we seek to structure competitive compensation offers to ensure that we are able to attract and retain the best talent. Our job postings include an annual base salary range at the time of employment. The stated base salary range represents our good faith estimate as to what candidates are likely to expect, and we tailor our offers within the range based on several factors, including the selected candidate's educational and professional experience, industry knowledge, location, technical and communication skills, and other factors that may prove relevant during the selection process. Base salary is a part of a total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, annual bonus and other Centric Brands sponsored benefit programs.

Be part of our growing community by getting involved with groups, teams and initiatives like Be Green, Be Giving, and Be Celebrated.

Centric Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Please note that Centric Brands will only reach out to interview, make an offer of employment or conduct onboarding activities for candidates who have applied through our careers site. When interviewing for a position, the candidate experience will include live interaction, such as a video conference or telephone call, with a Recruiter and/or company employee(s). We will never ask for any money or payments from applicants at any point in the recruitment process. Be aware of suspicious recruitment activity. If you think you are a victim of an employment scam, you may contact your local law enforcement agency and/or visit the Federal Trade Commission website here: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams.

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