Softgoods Design Manager, Giro

We are seeking a highly creative and experienced Senior Designer to lead design initiatives across a wide range of performance products. This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong design portfolio, excellent communication skills, and the ability to mentor junior designers while collaborating cross-functionally with marketing, product, and development teams.

As a Senior Designer, you'll use your exceptional design skills and deep understanding of the global market to create industry-leading, innovative, and commercially viable apparel and accessory products. The ideal candidate possesses the ability to look beyond current industry standards and market norms to generate designs that reflect our brand’s position as an industry leader and our aspiration to equip and inspire our communities to experience the best ride ever.

This position reports to the Sr. Director, Design and is based out of our Irvine office.

As the Sr. Designer, you will have an opportunity to:

· Establish long term and seasonal design strategies in collaboration with Product Marketing and Development to meet key brand and business objectives.

· Plan and create comprehensive design packages that meet product brief goals for image, performance, innovation, function, costing and commercial viability.

· Deliver appropriate product concepts that meet development calendar requirements and present to both the product and sales teams for review.

· Work with the team on outlining all fabrics, materials and embellishments for each specific product design appropriate to the product brief and intended end use.

· Work as a leading contributor of the Product Creation Team working directly with the Product Line Manager and Product Development team to manage and meet apparel design and sample deadlines.

· Work with the Development Team in the initial development phase to insure the intended design and product scope. This includes approving and commenting on colors, fabric strike-offs as well as reviewing sample fit and construction requirements throughout the pre-production stage.

· Research and evaluate innovative methods of garment assembly and materials/manufacturing technology to reach the highest levels of performance and style. Review and prioritize performance, safety, and style to properly incorporate them into products. Visualize performance and styling goals and create design solutions to achieve them.

· Maintain proper documentation of your portion of the product process and make sure this documentation is readily available to others.

· Attend and present at apparel presentations and meetings. Present seasonal trend and market report and how these trends would apply to upcoming lines. Report will specifically address fabric, color, fit, trim, and graphic trends.

· Make appropriate recommendations to the Design Director on designs and other matters of consequence to the business and its end customers. Will receive creative input and approval directly from the Design Director.

· When appropriate, the Sr. Designer will visit production facilities and tour factories to become familiar with the manufacturing processes of the products that are being designed.

· When appropriate, the Sr. Designer may attend events appropriate for market research such as races, contests and festivals. May attend trade shows and meet with vendors to research trends in materials, color, trims, and manufacturing.

You have:

· Ability to use discretion and independent judgment to be creative within set timelines.

· Must possess the following abilities: drawing/sketching, concept ideation, color theory, use of texture, spacing and scale, visual presentation development and layout.

· Must have a strong attention to detail, ability to think on a conceptual level, confident decision-making skills. Project management and leadership skills are also necessary.

· Excellent communication skills are a must as you will be responsible for presenting your ideas, concepts and designs throughout all phases of the product creation cycle. Additionally, you’ll need to possess the skills to accurately communicate the details of your designs to bring projects through development to completion within predetermined timelines.

· A solid understanding of construction, manufacturing techniques and materials with a finger on the pulse of trends influencing design in Action Sports is highly necessary.

· Must be able to work as part of a team and with a diverse group of people and projects

· Previous work experience in active apparel market a plus.

· Passion for Mountain Biking/Cycling strongly recommended.

You might have:

· College Degree in Apparel Design or related course of study.

· 5+ years’ experience in Apparel design or related field.

· Working knowledge of Mac-based Adobe Illustrator graphics program is a must. Outstanding design (2D) skills and familiarity with production documentation in Illustrator. Additional software knowledge like Photoshop, In Design, are a plus as well.

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Pay Range:

The actual annual salary offered to a candidate will be based on variables including experience, geographic location, education, and skills/achievements, and will be mutually agreed upon at the time of offer.

We offer a highly competitive salary, comprehensive benefits including: medical and dental, vision, disability and life insurance, 401K, PTO, paid holidays, gear discounts and the ability to add value to an exciting mission!

Our Postings are not intended for distribution to or use in any jurisdiction, country or territory where such distribution or use would violate local law or would subject us to any regulations in another jurisdiction, country or territory. We reserve the right to limit our Postings in any jurisdiction, country or territory.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Protected Veteran/Disabled