Design Director, Outerwear

Columbia Sportswear Company • Richmond, CA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

We’re seeking a Design Director for Outerwear at Mountain Hardwear to provide leadership and creative direction to our category design team and may lead the creative vision for MHW’s outerwear category. You will work closely with the Product Creation Team to design products for assigned product category(s) on a worldwide basis. Initiates new product concepts to meet the needs of our consumers, resulting in sales and growth for the company. Manages the design team in addressing modifications on carryover products.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in fashion or Industrial Design, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Eight plus years garment design/development experience in the apparel industry with progressively responsible experience for category creativity, development, and design.
• Strong ability to sketch and quickly communicate ideas in a visual format.
• Demonstrated experience successfully leading a design team and/or providing the creative vision for a product category
• Highly proficient with computer design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.
• Soft goods design sensibility and knowledge of fabric and textiles.
• Excellent attention to detail, proactive work ethic, and proven ability to establish and maintain schedules.
• LINK TO YOUR PORTFOLIO OR ATTACHED IN YOUR APPLICATION REQUIRED.

Nice To Haves

• 3D CAD experience and proficiency is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design team with a focus on continuously providing innovative, best in class product design solutions for review and potential implementation.
• Maintains goal of continuous product innovation and improvement.
• May participate as a senior member of a select product creation team to address early design and development concepts.
• Works collaboratively across the product creation team to define and develop new processes that enhance team efficiency in the commercialization process of innovative and inline products.
• Actively develops and grows knowledge of all garment construction techniques including the latest industry developments.
• Provides input across the product creation team based on being a technical expert in the assigned product area.
• Provides best in class design packages which include sketches, illustrations of construction details, and multiple product views.
• Leads by example in promoting a professional and positive team environment.
• Provides leadership to the design team through mentoring, coaching, and championing innovation in products and processes.
• Uses market research, industry experience, knowledge of the Mountain Hardwear consumer, and brand positioning, to provide a honed product feedback filter across the product division.
• Provides design/concept boards to communicate design and color direction.
• Presents trip reports which contain visuals and written summaries of current trends pertinent to our industry.
• Leads by example in the effective utilization of the product creation team’s resources and works as a team member to ensure all timelines are met.
• Presents category products and design/merchandising information during key meetings and line presentations.
• Provides leadership and mentoring to the design team, providing back-up support as needed, and continually demonstrating the ability to be a team leader.
• Works closely with merchandising and design directors in the evolution of the line plan and actively works to promote the seasonal product vision and brand positioning across the product division.
• Collaborates with PD to create and develop products that meet the merchandising product brief, brand vision, and target cost.
• Coordinates with trims developer to propose trims, graphic applications, prints and/or patterns (if applicable), and label designs.
• Participates in the prototype process for assigned category(s).
• Includes initiating sample requests by working closely with the Associate Designer and Product Developer(s), reviewing samples and directing revisions as needed throughout the development cycle.
• Attends fit sessions and categorical team meetings as needed to facilitate process, revisions, and finalization of products.
• Works closely with Materials Research to define new materials to research and source.
• Actively develops knowledge of all aspects of material technology and pursues continuous improvement.
• Ensures continuity of seasonal fabric story for the product division.
• Works closely with Product Graphics to communicate seasonal product themes and identify product graphic needs per style.
• Leads by example in ensuring that communication with the graphic teams is clear and effective and any product changes are communicated on a timely basis.
• Works closely with Sourcing to create styles that hit target costs.
• Works to ensure cohesive color merchandising by proposing color palettes for assigned category(s) and participates in the seasonal color palette creation, including defining lab dip needs and color-way development on a style-by-style basis.
• Works as a team member in identifying general color direction on a seasonal basis.
• May lead the design team for an assigned category to convey relevant look of products that drive Mountain Hardwear's point of view.
• Works closely with design senior management to lead seasonal design direction and implementation of brand vision and concepts.
• Performs related administrative and design tasks as needed.

Benefits

• 401k plan plus a generous company match
• medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account
• an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services)
• EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services
• extensive wellness benefits
• employee discounts
• a generous time off program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior