Vans: Design Manager, Men's Apparel

Vans • Van, TX

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Now that you’ve found the job description, what’s next? Vans is the original brand rooted in the authentic lifestyle of skateboarding. We are driven by our mission to inspire and empower everyone to live “Off The Wall” – embracing the youthful spirit of freedom, non-conformity, and relentless progression. Yesterday’s “Off The Wall” moment is today’s new normal, and at Vans, we believe in constantly outdoing ourselves. Together with our communities across the globe, our vision is to push culture forward because we believe that the pursuit of progression never ends. We are constantly inspired by the future generation of positive catalysts within our community. So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of people who think and live “Off the Wall,” Vans just may be the place for you. To learn more about our values and our culture, visit Vans Careers or www.vans.com. What will you do? A day in the life of a Design Manager, Men’s Apparel at Vans looks a little like this. As a Design Manager for Men’s Apparel, you will work within the Apparel Design team, focusing on creating innovative and brand-right collections for Vans. You’ll collaborate closely with cross-functional partners, including Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, and Consumer Insights to deliver seasonal assortments that reflect Vans’ brand vision and cultural leadership. You will report directly to the Director of Apparel Design. Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more. Drive the design development of Men’s apparel assortments in line with seasonal concepts and brand vision. Conduct trend and business analysis to inform design decisions and ensure market relevance. Create sketches, initial tech packs, fit direction, and oversee fabric selection and development. Allocate colors, develop washes and finishes, and manage sample and bulk approvals. Lead and motivate the Men’s Apparel Design team through seasonal collections and special projects. Establish sustainable work practices through calendar management, process efficiency, and tool improvements. Foster a collaborative and innovative environment that encourages creativity and progression. Proactively collaborate with Women’s and Accessories Design partners to deliver a shared vision of the brand. Possess a high level of taste and demonstrate an understanding of relevant market and aspirational brands, using those references as inputs to deliver toward Vans’ unique vision. Partner with regional and global cross-functional teams (Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, Consumer Insights, etc.) to drive the GTM collection pipeline and act as an objective cross-functional partner, committed to strong relationships and prioritizing collaboration. Oversee the process from pre-season research and development through design, cost-engineering, and bulk approvals. Ensure alignment and effective communication across all teams involved in the product lifecycle. What do you need to succeed? We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 7-9 years of experience and professional achievements. The foundation skills you will need in this position are: Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, or a related field (or equivalent experience). Ability to translate insights and inspiration into compelling apparel concepts that align with brand strategy. Strong leadership skills with experience coaching, mentoring, and developing design talent. Ability to set clear design direction and lead multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, ensuring priorities are met and deadlines achieved through effective calendar and process management Expertise in garment construction, fabrics, and manufacturing processes. Proficiency in design software and tools (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, PLM). Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on balancing creativity and business needs. Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional teams globally. Proven ability to foster collaboration and guide decision-making with Merchandising, Development and Planning to achieve shared goals. Location requirement: Hybrid schedule in-office in Costa Mesa, CA. What do we offer you? At Vans, we know you expect as much from us as we do from you. That is why we make a commitment to support and grow our people. We offer extensive development and growth opportunities for your current and future positions, a competitive compensation package, and a strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k). Our commitment extends beyond this and into your daily work life. We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive culture based on respect, connection, and authenticity. Our focus on DEI is at the foundation of who we are and what we do. To learn more about Vans’ benefits package, follow this MyVFBenefits.com and click “Looking to Join VF”. To learn more about Vans‘ Diversity and Inclusion efforts, go to www.vans.com. Now WE have a question for YOU. Are you in? Hiring Range: $110,592.00 USD - $138,240.00 USD annually Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process. Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process. Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws. At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at [email protected]. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law. Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Vans is about a state of mind. Thinking differently. Embracing creative self-expression. Authenticity and progression. Choosing your own line on your board and in your life. Vans holds 50 years of youth culture connectivity, Vans continues to advance its roots in action sports while recognizing the global 'Off the Wall' connection between the brand and art, music and street culture enthusiasts. Today, the Vans brand evolution continues- from its foundation as an original skateboarding company since '66, to a leading action sports brand, to defining its anthem of living 'Off the Wall' as youth culture. From its birthplace on the West Coast, Vans has grown beyond a shoe. It's a global movement- reaching from Barcelona to Beijing, Sao Paulo to Sydney, Orange County to New York. Vans goes to market through its network of deeply rooted wholesale partners and its direct-to-consumer platform with more than 450 owned retail stores worldwide. Given this amazing platform to connect with consumers, we're constantly looking for better and more creative ways to amplify the brand's in-store presence. And equally strong is the Vans' extraordinary e-commerce and social media presence, inclusive of its digital video platform, OffTheWall.tv. Through its various online channels, Vans has access to over 14 million brand loyalists at any given time. At Vans, providing consumer-focused product is essential and among perhaps one of the staunchest critics there is - the world's youth - the continued relevance and authenticity of Vans' product, whether performance-based or fashion-forward, must be in the right balance at all times. From weatherizing the head-to-toe collections to enhancing the durability of the performance based footwear, Vans is elevating the level of quality and technology and enabling active consumers everywhere to enjoy Vans through all four seasons. We also believe it's important to deliver more than just great products. Vans supports the action sports lifestyle, youth culture and creative self-expression by promoting the sports, music, art and culture that matter most. The Vans team includes many top names in action sports including skateboarding legends Steve Caballero and Christian Hosoi, skate pros Geoff Rowley, Anthony Van Engelen, Gilbert Crockett and Tony Trujillo, BMX riders Dakota Roche and Scotty Cranmer, surfers Dane Reynolds, Nathan Fletcher, Joel Tudor and Leila Hurst and snowboarders Louri Podladtchikov, Andreas Wiig, and Hana Beaman. Vans owns and sponsors world-class events in skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding and BMX including the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing®, the Vans Pool Party, the Van Doren Invitational and surfing’s most prestigious contest the Vans US Open of Surfing. Vans supports original and creative music acts ranging from Band of Horses to Public Enemy to Turbonegro by bringing memorable shows to global audiences at the House of Vans roving music venue that echoes Vans’ Brooklyn-based cultural hub and to more than half a million fans each summer at the Vans Warped Tour, America’s longest-running music tour. Click here to see all VF job postings! VF Diversity Vision Statement VF is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our associates, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business. The continued success and growth of VF is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity throughout VF around the world.VF is an equal employment opportunity employer of minorities, females, protected veterans and the disabled. VF is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and treating our VF associates and VF applicants without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, HIV/AIDS status, or any other legally protected factor. VF is committed to meeting the diverse needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner that is consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity, and will do so by striving to identify, prevent and remove barriers to accessibility wherever possible as well as by meeting the accessibility requirements under the ADA, AODA, and other applicable state, local or provincial regulations. VF is committed to digital accessibility, and to conforming to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA and complying with the ADA and AODA Standards for Accessible Design, and other applicable regulations. If you need an accommodation or have any questions regarding this statement, please send your request to [email protected].

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Ability to translate insights and inspiration into compelling apparel concepts that align with brand strategy.
• Strong leadership skills with experience coaching, mentoring, and developing design talent.
• Ability to set clear design direction and lead multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, ensuring priorities are met and deadlines achieved through effective calendar and process management
• Expertise in garment construction, fabrics, and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency in design software and tools (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, PLM).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on balancing creativity and business needs.
• Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional teams globally.
• Proven ability to foster collaboration and guide decision-making with Merchandising, Development and Planning to achieve shared goals.
• 7-9 years of experience

Responsibilities

• Drive the design development of Men’s apparel assortments in line with seasonal concepts and brand vision.
• Conduct trend and business analysis to inform design decisions and ensure market relevance.
• Create sketches, initial tech packs, fit direction, and oversee fabric selection and development.
• Allocate colors, develop washes and finishes, and manage sample and bulk approvals.
• Lead and motivate the Men’s Apparel Design team through seasonal collections and special projects.
• Establish sustainable work practices through calendar management, process efficiency, and tool improvements.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative environment that encourages creativity and progression.
• Proactively collaborate with Women’s and Accessories Design partners to deliver a shared vision of the brand.
• Possess a high level of taste and demonstrate an understanding of relevant market and aspirational brands, using those references as inputs to deliver toward Vans’ unique vision.
• Partner with regional and global cross-functional teams (Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, Consumer Insights, etc.) to drive the GTM collection pipeline and act as an objective cross-functional partner, committed to strong relationships and prioritizing collaboration.
• Oversee the process from pre-season research and development through design, cost-engineering, and bulk approvals.
• Ensure alignment and effective communication across all teams involved in the product lifecycle.

Benefits

• extensive development and growth opportunities for your current and future positions
• competitive compensation package
• strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees