Creative Apparel Designers

Creative Apparel Designer Reports To: Director of Design Supervises: No Responsibility Supervising Associates Department: Creative Design Summary: As a Creative Designer you will use your advanced design skills to create Market Right Product. You will work with design leadership and partner teams to ensure design feasibility to meet price points and merchandising needs in accordance to the Timing & Action Calendar deadlines. You will have proven your ability to design across Brands, Genders and Product Categories to obtain this position. You will need to be able to communicate & present Design Proposals & Concepts that encapsulate all aspects of design - color, fabric, silhouette, trim, fit, construction, & marketing. You will need to be able to liaison with key partner teams in Technical Design, Brand, Sourcing, QA, Country Managers and Graphics. This opportunity involves maintaining deep understanding of current trends through travel, research & interaction with sales reps, their customers and the end users. In addition, participation in activities that will increase understanding and working knowledge of market is obligatory. Essential Duties Proven ability to apply & perform design skills such as drawing/sketching, color concepts, use of fabric & trim, as well as visual presentation & layout. Demonstrated acumen and considered an internal expert for assigned product. Proven ability to create market appropriate product designs within accordancethe Timing & Action Calendar. Able to identify trends and translate into market right product. Responsible to collaboratively brainstorm & execute ideas for Trend Presentation, Customer Visits, Fashion Show, Sales Meeting, Special Projects, etc… Ability to understand needs of Partner Teams and react accordingly. Able to identify, elevate & provide solution options to challenges. Ability to identify & resolve opportunities within the organization for improvement. Able to take on extra workload to ease burden of entire team. Domestic travel for retail trends, maintain awareness of competitive landscape, see product in use at market and attend seminars as needed. Responsible to present findings to the team. International travel on an as needed basis. Travel and research to maintain awareness of how technology effects the market and ability to execute job. Technology is looked at both in terms of product innovation (like finishes on fabric) as well as software & tools to facilitate workload (as in CAD tools). Ability to maintain working area, samples, and tools in a way that is easily accessed by other team members and self. Competencies Regularly demonstrates GEAR Vision and Values Complies with GEAR’s attendance policy Observes safety and security procedures Ability to work independently and cooperatively in a diverse group Strong written and verbal communication to all partner teams; including meeting presentations. Able to upload relevant info to supervisor(s). Organizational skills- Ability to maintain working area, samples, and tools in a way that is easily accessed by other team members and self. Capacity to work with different internal groups to achieve a common goal Ability to be a positive influence on the lab combined with the ability to execute. Demonstrates a willingness to look beyond the job scope in order to further develop self and career. Physical Demands While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear; to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; and to use hands and arms to reach, handle and operate objects, tools, controls and equipment. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop or crouch. Work Environment Works in well lighted, air conditioned/heated office environment Minimum Qualifications Four year degree in Apparel / Fashion Design Four years experience in Design / Product Development Ability to design across brands / genders Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the associate. Other duties will be assigned as needed. We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. This is a Full Time position based out of the corporate headquarters in Lenexa, KS [login to view URL]