Design Manager, Hosiery

Implus•Durham, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Implus Footcare, LLC is seeking a visionary Design Manager to lead its active and lifestyle sock categories, as well as a range of accessories including slippers, cold weather/outerwear, and hair/beauty accessories. This role involves designing and developing products for owned brands and managing private label programs for major mass-market retailers. The position reports directly to the Senior Director of Everyday Hosiery and drives the seasonal design process from concept to commercialization, fostering innovation and excellence within the design team. This is a hybrid position with fluctuating in-office days based on business needs.

Requirements

5+ years in apparel or accessories design, with a mandatory and proven track record in socks, accessories, and/or performance knits.
2+ years of direct people management, demonstrating the ability to guide, evaluate, and scale creative teams effectively.
Highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), PLM systems, and Microsoft Office.
Experience utilizing professional consumer trend-forecasting platforms (such as WGSN) and interpreting retail market analytics.
A professional portfolio demonstrating advanced technical CAD abilities, cohesive color/trend ideation, structural knitwear understanding, and commercialized product collections.
A Bachelor's degree in Apparel/Textile Design, Graphic Design, or a related field of study, OR an equivalent combination of education and years of industry experience.
Ability to observe fine product details, colors, stitch structures, and physical samples/color standards at close range.
Ability to effectively communicate design concepts, technical instructions, and feedback to co-workers, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
Ability to write, type, and utilize standard computer systems, specifically including highly repetitive use of MAC systems, keyboards, and digital monitors.
Must be able to remain in a stationary design position 50–75% of the time.
Frequently move about the office to access sample archives, design boards, collaborate with other departments, and attend meetings.
Ability to occasionally move or transport boxes of product samples or trend materials weighing up to 25 lbs. across the office with or without reasonable accommodations.
Standard climate-controlled office environment with occasional exposure to open-air or warehouse settings during sample reviews.
May require occasional domestic or international travel for retailer meetings, trend shopping, or factory visits.
Predictable attendance on site.
Work has deadlines, multiple interruptions and may be stressful at times.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing for mass-market retailers and/or developing private label programs is highly preferred.
Experience with 3D design tools (e.g., Clo3D) is a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of designers and assistants, fostering a collaborative, high-performance environment that encourages creative risk-taking.
Attract, develop, and retain top design talent.
Conduct regular performance evaluations and support individual career growth paths.
Oversee daily operations for the creative team, balancing workloads, removing roadblocks, and ensuring adherence to the seasonal product development calendar.
Build strong, productive relationships with Merchandising, Product Development, and Sales to ensure the design team's vision aligns with overarching brand and revenue goals.
Drive seasonal trend research, color palettes, and material innovations specifically targeted at performance, activewear, and lifestyle hosiery.
Directly execute design CADs, tech packs, and technical sketches in Adobe Illustrator when needed to support team bandwidth and meet critical deadlines.
Apply deep knowledge of circular knitting, advanced yarn technologies, and knit execution to push the boundaries of fit, comfort, and athletic performance.
Oversee the meticulous creation of tech packs and line sheets.
Approve lab dips, trims, and final prototypes to ensure licensor and brand standards are met.
Lead the design team in identifying and resolving complex fit, construction, and manufacturing issues during the sampling and production process.