Smartwool: Cut and Sew Designer

Job Title: Cut & Sew Designer

Reporting to: Sr Cut & Sew Design Manager

Now that you’ve found the job description, what’s next?

At Smartwool, we are a group of insatiable outdoor adventurers who want to share the joy of crisp powder turns, hard first ascents, scrambly summit sunrises, pine needle-cushioned hikes, and s’more-filled weekends with everyone. We’re committed to transparency, sustainability, and getting out there. And we're serious about having fun while doing it.

We are a team committed to creating products with Merino wool at their core, reducing our environmental impact, and working with our advocacy partners to help protect wild places and increase equitable access for anyone looking to spend more time outside.

If this sounds like a team you would like to be a part of, Smartwool just might be the place for you.

To learn more about our values and our culture, visit Smartwool Careers  or www.smartwool.com.

What will you do?

A day in the life of a Designer at Smartwool looks a little like this:

The Cut & Sew Designer brings a track record of skillful design, creativity, and ingenuity to enhance the Men’s and Women’s Apparel and Accessory product categories. You will work closely with the Design, Development, and Merchandising teams as a cross-functional liaison to ensure total accuracy of the lines.

This role will aid in the design of the line and lead in adjusting the Sr. Design Manager’s sketches for style changes throughout the development cycle.  You will create Design Handoffs for each new style, which includes detailed descriptions of trims, construction, fabrication, desired fit, etc. You will maintain accuracy of design handoffs across multiple platforms when changes are implemented. Active participation in fit sessions for all product categories will be required, ensuring styles maintain design intent and adjusting CADs and design handoffs when applicable. This role will own designing new trims and creating new trim handoffs, while maintaining accuracy of all pertinent documents. You will work closely with the Trim Developer throughout trim development cycle.

You are responsible for providing initial color solutions for the apparel and accessory lines prior to finalizing with Sr. Design Managers and Merchandising team. This role will own the input of color into BOMs through our PLM systems for all cut & sew product categories. The Designer will quickly gain an expert knowledge of all color and branding philosophies for apparel and accessory categories.

Key Responsibilities:

●       Work with the Design, Merchandizing, and Product Development teams to design compelling product that addresses the Smartwool brand promise of comfort, fit and durability, is on margin target, and address the consumer needs identified in the product brief.

●       Think outside the box, take on challenges, bring options and solutions.  Be two steps ahead of a merchandiser and be ready to offer multiple choices.

●       Become comfortable with the pitch.  Romance the pitch and help the merchandiser start to tell the “why” behind the design and the “transformative moment” the Smartwool consumer will experience.

●       Become an expert in all things Smartwool—from culture to community to fabric to Merino sheep.  Ask lots of questions.

●       Be an advocate for our values—enjoy and contribute to the rich culture of Smartwool.

●       Be a bridge for all teams. Work to understand the problem and build a solution that works from multiple angles. Listen and support others in an appropriate manner

●       Apply constructive criticism to own work and help hone the work from the team

●       Look for opportunities to inspire creative thinking within the brand

●       Have a growth mindset and learn from success and failure

●       Aid in maintenance of design decks, design handoffs and other documentation to ensure clear communication and execution of all product categories 

●       Work with Sr. Design Manager to prepare design handoffs to ensure that all aspects of construction, fit, and trim selection are in keeping with the product brief.

Skills for Success:

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