The Design Manager is responsible for overseeing a team of designers that support business networks and programs in the creation of cohesive, customer relevant, and innovative product offerings. This role will lead the team to produce quality work on a daily basis, provide feedback, and delegate work assignments to ensure project due dates are met. The Design Manager will provide high-level product, customer, and trend knowledge, empowering the team to consistently meet and exceed our customer’s expectations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Design Acumen and Headwear Expertise

• Executes design for all assigned projects and demonstrates proficiency in all program offerings.
• Responsible for creating original, innovative designs using Adobe CC.
• Ensures that designs comply with internal and external licensing and branding guidelines and agreements, guaranteeing all designs respect copyright laws and follow intellectual property guidelines.
• Continuation of skill development opportunities to enhance design knowledge in Adobe CC and other training platforms such as the LMS.
• Committed to continual learning and Headwear Expertise.
• Demonstrates a robust knowledge of Outdoor Cap’s brands, products, and systems.
• Stays informed of technique and fabric availability at all factories.
• Provides detailed program specification for both internal and external process such as fabrication, color, techniques, shapes and references.
• Applies brand identity, customer preferences, sales history, market benchmarking and trend appropriately to meet the needs of the customer.
• Maintains awareness of new and continual changes to design requests, techniques, headwear styles and programs to ensure quality standards in all deliverables.
• Reviews samples daily and identifies opportunities for improvement.
• Brings innovative ideas for design and decoration for the team.
• Researches markets, trend, and demographics to bring relevant insights to developments.

Teamwork and Culture

• Collaborates with other designers in the concept development process.
• Attends job briefs and engages teammates to clarify unified direction.
• Is objective and solution driven, working with all members of the network to accommodate varying degrees of critique and revision.
• Maintains a file management system for accuracy, consistency, and easy access.
• Excellent time management, multi-task oriented, organized, and keen sense of personal accountability. Is highly motivated with strong work ethics and demonstrated flexibility to meet tight deadlines.
• Looks for opportunities to work quickly and efficiency, yielding both quality and results.
• Is service oriented: reacts immediately to requests that may require quick turnaround in order to meet a deadline or exceed expectations.
• Upholds Outdoor Cap’s Mission-Vision-Values and Founder’s Pillars by acting with integrity; working together as a team; treating each other with respect.
• Protects Outdoor Cap and its property by securing artwork and what is shared outside of the company.
• Written and verbal communication is professional and effective, both internally and externally.

Designer Manager Specific

• Ability to manage, lead, and motivate a team of employees towards goals and objectives.
• Manages, plans, and tracks the design schedule of assigned accounts and programs to ensure on-time completion.
• Mentor design team members, providing guidance, creative feedback, and support to foster a collaborative and productive work environment. Help team to reach their full potential and develop their skills.
• Executes design at an advanced level, applying brand identity, customer preferences, sales history, market benchmarking, and trend direction appropriately during the design & development process.
• Ability to articulate design rationale, product details, and trend information in a verbal manner to both internal and external audiences.
• Prioritize work and resources based on short and long-term needs, collaborating with Product Development and Sales team members to establish and maintain project priorities.
• Service oriented: reacts appropriately to requests that require quick turnaround to meet a deadline or exceed expectations, motivating team members to do the same.
• Stays informed of our factory capabilities, including shape, technique, component, and fabric availability. Coach design team member efforts in understanding and application of this knowledge.
• Collaborate with Sourcing Department on shape development, fabric, and component needs.
• Monitor and manage assigned projects and design requests for their network on our internal PDS system.
• Supports and implements the company goals to embrace technology, one team all programs and acts as a headwear expert internally and externally at all times.

Skills & Competencies

• Teamwork and Collaboration {Demonstrates commitment to team members and engages in collaborative, detail-oriented communication across all departments. Effectively sets priorities and manages timelines in order to complete work. Shows respect, builds trust and exhibits flexibility to change.}
• Design Acumen {Maintains awareness and understanding of the marketplace and industry trends. Creative and critical thinking driven by knowledge of principles of design: layout, typography, color, balance, composition and design trends. Fast and efficient learner with desire to further develop through training to expand technical proficiency, creative thinking and an increased working knowledge of headwear design.}
• Customer Service {Demonstrates commitment to our customers and represents Outdoor Cap in a professional manner. Provides exceptional service and responds to customer needs with urgency, thoughtfulness and attention to detail.}

Education & Qualifications

• Minimum Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design or related degree is required.
• 3-5+ years of relevant professional experience, Apparel Manufacturing background a plus.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data, customer preferences, and market research to build and deliver product lines that meet our customer and business needs.
• Advanced level technical abilities in Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficient level technical abilities in Adobe CC and Mac OSX
• Proficient level technical abilities in Internal Systems

Physical/Mental Requirements

• Highly proficient with verbal and written communication; adept at exchanging accurate information and engage in conflict resolution strategies.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (seated) 80% of the day and occasionally reach, bend and move inside the office to access files and products.
• Adapt to moderate noise (Example: collaborative team environment, office with computers, printing and light traffic)
• Ability to move 10-25 lbs occasionally throughout day.
• Able to hear a telephone ring.
• Required to have close visual acuity to perform computer tasks and operate other office machinery.
• Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
• Domestic travel up to 20%

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign / reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.