Senior Apparel Designer

Are you a creative powerhouse with a passion for fashion? Do you have an eye for design and an innate ability to turn ideas into stunning apparel pieces? If so, we invite you to join our design team as an Apparel Fashion Designer.

This position requires a strong understanding of fashion trends, garment construction, and design principles. You will work closely with other members of the design team to bring concepts to life and ensure the brand's vision is translated into commercially successful products. You will also contribute to the creative process, assisting in the development of fashion collections that align with market demands and brand vision.

In addition to design responsibilities, you will also play a role in sourcing materials and communicating with manufacturers to ensure the successful production of the designs. Your technical skills, attention to detail, and collaborative mindset will help bring designs to life and contribute to the overall success of SSCO.

Responsibilities

Assortment Planning and Creation:

• Collaborate with other members of the design and sales team to research/analyze fashion trends, market demands, and customer preferences to create seasonal assortments.
• Development of seasonal mood boards, color palettes, illustrations, and mock-ups with fabric selection for assigned categories.
• Creation of detailed product tech packs, including technical drawings, measurements, and material requirements.

Material Selection and Sourcing:

• Attend seasonal sourcing trade shows to source fabric and manufacturers that align with design requirements, production capabilities, and quality standards of the company.
• Coordinate with manufacturers and suppliers to procure materials, trims, and components for production.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, lead times, and order MOQs with manufacturers to ensure products meet cost, quality, and timeline requirements.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the manufacturing process and how various factors, such as material choice, construction techniques, and production volume, impact the overall cost.

Prototyping and Sampling:

• Assist in coordinating sample development, communicating with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure accurate prototyping and sample production.
• Participate in product fittings and collaborate with the design and technical teams to evaluate and enhance product fit, construction, and quality.
• Assist in reviewing and approving pre-production samples, ensuring they meet design intent and quality standards.
• Support the monitoring and tracking of production progress, addressing any issues related to quality, production capacity, or lead times.

Production Management:

• Conducting quality assessments and inspections of finished products to ensure compliance with established standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address and resolve production-related challenges, such as cost, quality, or timeline issues.

Continuous Review:

• Monitor product performance, sales trends, and customer feedback to evaluate success and make data-driven recommendations for future seasons.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends, market dynamics, and competitor activities to remain competitive and innovative.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of product specifications, approvals, and production-related communication.
• Work with other members of the production teams to push products through the development cycle and ensure on-time and on-budget delivery of products.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in fashion design or a related field
• 5+ years of experience as an Apparel Designer.
• Creativity, innovation, and a passion for fashion.
• Strong creative vision and the ability to translate concepts into innovative designs
• Proficient in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite or similar
• Excellent knowledge of garment construction, fit, and manufacturing processes
• Experience creating patterns for woven shirts and knits.
• Strong sketching and illustration skills, with a keen attention to detail
• Knowledge of garment construction, pattern making, and sewing techniques.
• Understanding of color theory, fabric properties, and print development.
• Familiarity with trend forecasting, market analysis, and consumer behavior.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively within a design team.
• Ability to adapt to changing trends, design concepts, and project requirem