Senior Design Manager, Fashion

Wal-Mart • Bentonville, AR

56d • $110,000 - $220,000

About The Position

Are you ready to lead design innovation that blends elevated style with unbeatable member value? At Sam's Club, we're looking for a visionary Senior Design Manager to shape trend-right assortments using cutting-edge tools like AI, 3D modeling, and member insights for the Member's Mark brand. You'll drive storytelling, brand consistency, and inclusive leadership across categories-delivering fashion-forward collections that resonate with millions. If you're passionate about apparel design that's both aspirational and accessible, this is your opportunity to make a bold impact.

Requirements

• Expertise in Apparel Design: Strong knowledge of visual communication, sketching, illustration, color theory, and prototyping.
• Innovation Leadership: Experience driving apparel innovation through AI tools, 3D modeling, and sustainable practices.
• Tech Fluency: Proficiency in PLM, CAD, 3D modeling, workflow trackers, and AI-enhanced design tools.
• Brand Acumen: Deep understanding of apparel brand architecture, product tiering, and storytelling techniques.
• Trend Insight: Ability to synthesize macro trends, competitor movement, and member feedback into design POVs.
• Member-Centric Mindset: Experience using data and feedback to align design with member expectations and behaviors.
• Project Leadership: Proven ability to manage timelines, optimize processes, and lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Inclusive Team Development: Experience mentoring and developing associates in a collaborative, inclusive environment.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to balance aspirational design with commercial viability and cost considerations.
• Option 1: Bachelor's degree in fashion design, textile design, or related area and 6 years' experience in apparel design, garment construction, or related area.
• Option 2: 8 years' experience in apparel design, garment construction, or related area.
• 3 years' supervisory experience.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to align design vision with business strategy.
• Experience managing design teams and seasonal calendars.
• Strong vendor and cross-functional collaboration experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead innovation in seasonal apparel design concepts through compelling visual storytelling, expert sketching, and strategic narrative development.
• Guide the creation of high-quality prototypes across multiple categories.
• Apply deep knowledge of color theory, print execution, and fabric selection to elevate product quality and fashion positioning.
• Translate macro and cultural trends into trend-right assortments that balance flattering fit, brand identity, and cost optimization.
• Drive process efficiency by leveraging design enablement tools such as PLM, CAD, 3D modeling, and AI-enhanced systems.
• Independently manage seasonal timelines and deliverables with minimal oversight.
• Apply sustainable practices and coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure accuracy in tech packs, sampling, and vendor hand-offs.
• Use data and automation to enhance design quality, speed, and delivery precision.
• Craft compelling brand narratives that reinforce Sam's Club's identity and communicate value to members across collections and channels.
• Design within brand filters to maintain visual and product consistency across categories and delivery drops.
• Build cohesive seasonal assortments that reflect brand architecture, member promise, and aesthetic codes.
• Partner with Merchants to reinforce brand-right price/value perception and support storytelling alignment across marketing and packaging.
• Lead trend foresight by interpreting AI and social listening tools to validate or pivot creative direction.
• Integrate macro/cultural signals, competitor insights, and real-time feedback into actionable design strategies.
• Collaborate with Product Development to assess trend risk and opportunity, and develop inspiration decks tailored to member needs and brand tier.
• Champion the voice of the member in design decisions.
• Use trend platforms, social listening, and returns data to refine design intent and ensure commercial viability.
• Track member responses to past seasons to inform future line planning and innovation.
• Balance aspirational style direction with internal input to deliver trend-right, member-aligned product.
• Mentor and develop design associates by fostering a collaborative, inclusive environment that promotes growth and belonging.
• Lead multiple business plans and projects by identifying operational needs, setting priorities, and removing barriers to performance.
• Promote a team-based culture and provide recognition, coaching, and development opportunities.
• Support company policies, values, and ethics by training others and ensuring compliance.
• Evaluate current plans and initiatives for effectiveness and cost efficiency, and contribute to community outreach efforts.

Benefits

• At Sam's Club, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet!
• Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage
• Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance
• Paid time off benefits include PTO, parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable.
• Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more.
• Live Better U is a company paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: General Merchandise Retailers
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees