Vans: Design Manager, Men's Apparel

VF Corporation • 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.

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.
• Location requirement: Hybrid schedule in-office in Costa Mesa, CA.

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
• a competitive compensation package
• a strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees