Assistant Designer, Outlet

Since its launch in 1993 with a collection of six essential handbags, Kate Spade New York has always been colorful, bold, and optimistic. Today, it is a global lifestyle brand that designs extraordinary things for the everyday, delivering seasonal collections of handbags, ready-to-wear, jewelry, footwear, home décor, and more. Known for its rich heritage and unique brand DNA, Kate Spade New York offers a distinctive point of view and celebrates communities of women around the globe who live their perfectly imperfect lifestyles. 

 

Kate Spade New York is part of the Tapestry portfolio – a global house of brands committed to stretching what’s possible.

 

A member of the Tapestry family, we are part of a global house of brands that has unwavering optimism and is committed to being innovative and wholly inclusive.

 

Job Title: Assistant Designer, Outlet

Primary Purpose:

To conceptualize, create, and develop designs for outlet handbags and small leather goods.

Essential duties and responsibilities

 

• support the design process from conception through production   

• responsible for market / trend research and the communication of design ideas 

• provide recommendations regarding seasonal themes, edits to line, new concepts, etc. 

• ensure that product is of high quality and consistent with market trends, as well as business strategy. 

• work with pre-production partner for handbags to ensure design packages are complete and accurate. 

• work collaboratively with the design team to design/spec handbags and small leather goods 

• create highly detailed specs 

• work with merchandising and sales teams and assist in determining sales need 

• collaborate and develop close working relationships with tech design, merchandising, production, the CAD team, sourcing offices and vendors to ensure the quality, delivery and business practices are achieved and upheld. 

 

 

Education and experience required:

• bachelors degree in a related field 

• minimum 1+ years experience 

• experience in Photoshop and Illustrator 

• strong ability to hand sketch. 

• knowledge of raw materials, as well as, construction techniques. 

• strong communication and organizational skills.

 

 

Our Competencies for All Employees

• Courage: Doesn’t hold back anything that needs to be said; provides current, direct, complete, and “actionable” positive and corrective feedback to others; lets people know where they stand; faces up to people problems on any person or situation (not including direct reports) quickly and directly; is not afraid to take negative action when necessary.

• Creativity: Comes up with a lot of new and unique ideas; easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions; tends to be seen as original and value-added in brainstorming settings.
• Customer Focus: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
• Dealing with Ambiguity: Can effectively cope with change; can shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture; isn’t upset when things are up in the air; doesn’t have to finish things before moving on; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.
• Drive for Results: Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; is constantly and consistently one of the top performers; very bottom-line oriented; steadfastly pushes self and others for results.