Designer II Accessories & Home

L.L.Bean • Freeport, ME

8d • Onsite

About The Position

L.L.Bean is seeking a Designer II specializing in Accessories and Home to help shape the aesthetic of its collections. The position influences color, pattern, silhouette, materials, and trim, and collaborates closely with Product Development and Merchandising to research trends, define seasonal concepts, build color palettes, and create brand-right designs that support product and business strategies. Accessories include headwear, neckwear, handwear, belts, socks, and base layer; Home includes bed and bath, pet, impulse items, and holiday.

The role is based in Freeport, Maine, requires relocation to Maine, and requires working in the office at least four days per week. The Designer II conducts market research and domestic and international travel, including travel to Asia to meet with mills and vendors, develop products, and support commercialization. The designer also works with cross-functional partners and vendors to develop product direction, present design work, and carry products through development and handoff to Technical Design.

Requirements

• BA/BS degree required.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience required.
• Advanced cross-functional communication skills.
• Proven ability to build strong partnerships with team members and vendors.
• Must relocate to Maine and work in the office at least four days per week.

Responsibilities

• Create seasonal concepts and mood boards defining key looks, trends, colors, fabrics, trims, and silhouettes.
• Develop commercially viable, brand-aligned product ideas and seasonal trend direction, presentations, and vendor decks.
• Define and communicate seasonal color palettes and support execution of the corporate seasonal product design strategy.
• Research brand-appropriate trends and product ideas, markets, and competitive brands through domestic travel and trade shows.
• Travel to Asia to meet mills and vendors, conduct research, develop products, and help ensure products meet commercialization standards.
• Partner with Corporate Merchandising Managers to validate product viability and identify assortment opportunities.
• Define fabric direction for hand feel, drape, and aesthetic, working with Product Development to meet design, margin, and target-price objectives.
• Work with color and trend services to establish seasonal concepts and trends, and with print and pattern vendors to establish seasonal surface-pattern direction.
• Ensure product consistency and cohesion, aligning Accessories and Home aesthetics with other categories.
• Introduce new, on-brand silhouettes and styling details each season.
• Collaborate with Product Design on materials and with the lab to ensure trims pass testing.
• Partner with the Graphics team to establish graphic and surface-pattern direction.
• Present fresh, commercially viable colors and patterns for key items and relist programs each season.
• Work with mills and vendors to ensure fabrics and surface patterns meet standards.
• Distribute color cards and approve lab dips, strike-offs, and related materials.
• Develop print, pattern, and graphic packages for products.
• Present sketches and prototype samples at key check-ins and meetings.
• Create and maintain accurate pre-production bills of materials and color combinations in Lawson.
• Communicate repeat requirements for patterns and prints.
• Partner with Product Development to finalize product details with vendors and create comprehensive development specification packages; select fit blocks appropriate for each wearing occasion.
• Ensure a thorough handoff to Technical Design.
• Attend fittings and reviews, providing feedback on fit and styling to preserve the design aesthetic and ensure alignment with the selected fit block.
• Participate in retail walkthroughs to ensure presentations reflect design intent.
• Prepare presentations, rigs, and mannequins for key meetings to communicate seasonal direction and product ideas; support milestone success and align with partners on M2M strategies, initiatives, and actions.
• Follow health and safety policies and procedures, report unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors, and conduct work safely.

Benefits

• Benefits package with programs and perks designed to support health and financial goals.
• Programs and support for work-life balance and recharging outside.

What This Job Offers

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