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ASSOCIATE APPAREL DESIGNER JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:  ASSOCIATE DESIGNER APPAREL

DETAILS: MINNEAPOLIS, MN

ABOUT TAI APPAREL:                                                                                          

·      Apparel manufacturer with US Sales and Design team based domestically and overseas

·      Specialize in knit and woven apparel

·      US Sales and Design team located in Minneapolis and LA

·      US Design and Sourcing team based in China driving a fast fashion speed to market business model

·      Design team specializes in trend, fabric, technical spec/fit, sketches, fit approvals, CADs, graphics, art separations and art strike offs.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Support the product design by delivering ongoing CAD & product development to meet internal and external needs. Work alongside domestic and international design partners to manage tight deadlines and art turnarounds. 

SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES:

·      Passionate about the apparel industry & art

·      Possesses a strong design aesthetic and eye for fashion

·      Ability to deliver under tight deadlines

·      Knowledgeable in fashion and trend

·      Proficient on Mac platforms

·      Quick and eager to learn

·      Driven to innovate and execute

·      Self-motivated with a collaborative attitude

·      Positive, Drama-free

·      Operates well within feedback culture and strives to develop in role

·      Passionate about developing & driving product assortments that make sense and will sell thru to the customer

TECHNICAL ABILITY:

·      CAD

·      Proficient in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator

·      Base knowledge of fabrics, washes/treatments and silhouettes

RESPONSIBILITIES:

·      Work alongside team to learn internal product design and development process.

·      Collaborate, strategize + develop deck presentations.

• Task examples includes: realist sketches, color fill, layer fill, graphic placement, art boards.

·      Assist Senior Designer/Merchandiser to develop and design trend right and compelling product to fit the needs and white space opportunities of the retailers we serve

·      Deliver CAD sketches + color + art + print & pattern fills under tight deadlines.

·      Execute art sheets on an as needed basis.

·      Work across a variety of apparel categories to deliver upon retailer expectations.

·      Assist Account Manager with follow up meeting/narrowed CAD decks, costing requests for retailers.

·      Understand retailer private label brands and deliver aesthetic that fits within the brand DNA.

• Deliver work that fulfills retailer needs and white space opportunities.

·      Provide trend direction input when appropriate (example: making silhouette direction recommendations when necessary).

·      Able to coach and develop other design team members on key skills, such as CAD development.

·      Maintain flexible working hours that account for calls across various time zones.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT:

LEARN :

·      Learn the internal Tai product design and development process

·      Fabric, Silhouette, Wash Techniques, Style #, Technical Design Process, Sampling Process, Sketching & Project Management Process

STRATEGY : 

·      Research and provide trend insight from the market to architect a product strategy/assortment.

·      Identify key item/white space/emerging trends with regards to silhouettes, fabric, color, techniques and trims to ensure product is consistently relevant and evolving with the market through trend shopping, online research (WGSN), etc. 

·      Ability to translate pre-peak trends to mid-tier/mass retailers

·      Constantly brainstorming newness, in partnership with design.

·      Regularly pull art inspiration for graphic artists.

·      Meet with Sales Team to strategize upcoming needs/meeting goals & approach.

DEVELOP :

·      Develop product, in partnership with Designer based on market trends/retailer needs & white space.

·      Comp Shop the market, online, Instagram, WGSN – finding inspiration everywhere

·      Sample Handoff (ideal woven/dress experience)

·      Co-create sample requests/needs/ideas for upcoming meetings, ensuring samples tie back to presentations.

·      Partner with overseas designer and US development designers

·      Thought leadership with regards to developing elevated product a retailer can afford given IMU goals.

·      Identify fabric backups and cost options.

·      Partner with technical designers on new silhouettes/technical packets for sample development and/or potential bulk buys.

·      Manage sample ETA’s vs due dates

·      Partner with Designer to Develop CAD presentations for upcoming meetings.

·      Create Presentations

·      Trend Pages & Inspiration

·      Silhouette, color/print and pattern/graphic direction

·      Partner with Design Assistant to assign style numbers for all new silhouettes.

·      Direct/guide Designers on filling CADs.

·      Provide Feedback

·      Partner with Art Team to drive graphic requests

·      Partner with Trend Team to create compelling trend boards

PRESENTATION:

·      Assist in organizing, prepare, pack apparel line for upcoming meeting. 

·      Assist Merchandiser in presenting apparel concept and product lines (via CADS & samples) to various retailers

·      Sell product with conviction.

·      Quick on your feet and comfortable with on the spot questions/challenges

·      Travel as necessary (depending on accounts)

·      Comfortable presenting product in Retailer meetings with Buyers & PD&D Teams

POST MEETING:

·      Assist sales with follow up meeting/narrowed CAD decks for retailers

·      Communicate design meeting follow-up/ changes to internal and external groups (US design, overseas team, sales, merchants, TD team, as needed)

·      Own design/art follow-ups post retailer meetings. 

·      Responsible for prioritizing needs for design team in partnership with sales team to ensure prompt response.

·      Help drive urgent/one off chase requests

PRODUCTION

·      Assist with the following, as necessary:

·      Preferred and Back-Up Fabric recommendations

·      Fit sessions & comments (in partnership with the TD Team)

·      Approval process alongside Design

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

·      Partner with Sales Team to drive new/incremental business opportunities

·      Simultaneously manage current accounts while ensuring focus on what is going to drive the most business.

MISC

·      Flexible work hours due to conference calls overseas, Skype chat.

·      Positive attitude and always looking to work smarter, not harder

·      Be open to new ways of doing things - different – better – more efficient