Title: Associate Designer, Sportswear/Outerwear
Location: New York, NY
Company: Leading apparel brand
Salary: $85,000 DOE
Salary/Hourly rate is commensurate with experience and is an estimated range provided by JPSearch
Candidates should have at least 3 years of experience in sportswear, outerwear, active, or performance apparel, with strong CAD, flat sketching, and trend research skills. This will primarily focus on the MEN’S business.
Position Summary
We are seeking a hands-on Associate Designer to support Walmart private-brand Sportswear and Outerwear across Men’s, Women’s, and Kids’, with the primary focus on the Men’s business.
The ideal candidate understands the mass-market customer and can translate current market trends into commercial, value-driven product. Experience working with Walmart, Walmart private brands, or another major mass retailer is highly preferred.
This position requires strong CAD skills, speed, organization, and the ability to react quickly to buyer and sales-team requests.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the design and development of Sportswear and Outerwear programs, primarily for Men’s, with additional Women’s and Kids’ projects as needed.
- Create detailed CADs, colorways, prints, graphics, and presentation boards.
- Develop product across jackets, puffers, windbreakers, rainwear, fleece, softshells, woven tops, bottoms, activewear, and seasonal sportswear.
- Conduct regular competitive and market research to identify key items, trends, colors, materials, and product opportunities.
- Shop the market and analyze relevant mass, outdoor, active, and sporting-goods competitors.
- Translate market trends into commercial product appropriate for Walmart customers and target retail prices.
- Assist with fabric, trim, color, wash, finish, and construction development.
- Prepare and update detailed design packages for overseas development.
- Communicate with overseas factories and vendors regarding CADs, samples, fabrics, trims, and design corrections.
- Review development samples and provide clear design comments.
- Participate in fittings and work with Technical Design to maintain design intent and fit.
- Quickly update designs based on Walmart buyer and internal Sales/Merchandising feedback.
- Prepare presentation boards and product presentations for customer meetings.
- Maintain organized CADs, development files, sample tracking, and seasonal records.
- Partner with Design, Sales, Merchandising, Technical Design, Product Development, Sourcing, and Production throughout the development process.
Qualifications
- 3–5 years of apparel design experience in sportswear, outerwear, active, or performance apparel.
- Walmart, Walmart supplier, or major mass-market retailer experience strongly preferred.
- Strong experience or interest in Men’s Sportswear and Outerwear.
- Ability to support Women’s and Kids’ categories when needed.
- Excellent Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills.
- Strong CAD and flat-sketching capabilities.
- Good understanding of garment construction, fabrics, trims, washes, and finishes.
- Understanding of designing to target retail and cost requirements.
- Experience communicating with overseas factories and vendors preferred.
- Strong trend research and competitive-shopping skills.
- Highly organized with the ability to handle multiple projects and fast turnaround times.
- Strong communication skills and attention to detail.