Assistant Apparel Designer (hybrid)

Assistant Apparel Designer

The Assistant Apparel Designer is responsible for the design, development, and execution of product designs for specific categories that achieve Belk's Private Brand objectives, and overall product strategy. The Assistant Apparel Designer manages all aspects of the garment design to maintain brand consistency, and to ensure development and production of timely seasonal assortments that are relevant to the brand[s] position and target customer. Research and develop seasonal trends and ensure that designs meet merchant line plans, assortment strategies, price points, and overall creative vision.

Essential Functions:

• Assistant Designers have ownership of the Product Lifecycle Management systems, libraries, and projects to achieve Belk goals in accordance with company policy and practices and to ensure quality, aesthetics, and timely delivery of products to market.
• Create development sketches for new private brand styles as well as specific product category of responsibility.
• Create line planners for product development and meeting needs
• Approves fabric, trim, and pattern for specific category of responsibility.
• Partners with Apparel Designer to ensure that department goals and priorities are aligned.
• Manages the creative vision for a specific product category or brand[s]
• Create and inspire ideas/ new concepts outside the current assortment[s]
• Support the creation of trend boards, presentation boards, and compelling product assortments.
• Research and source silhouette/ color/ fabric trends each season.
• Identifies opportunities for process improvement and implement improvements.
• Understand the design process and Private Brands/Merchant's business objectives to drive and support financial results.
• Develops and maintains relationships with the Merchandising teams, Sourcing, Tech Design, Textile, Marketing, eComm, Visual, Domestic and Overseas Offices, and key vendors to exchange ideas, leverage expertise, and streamline the development process.
• Owns Sample organization from Domestic and Overseas vendors to manage entire lifecycle of sample process.
• Requires designated hybrid in-office work schedule.

Education: Bachelor's Degree and/or equivalent years of experience. Specific Degree: Fashion Design, Fine Art or related field.

Work Experience: 1-3 years of experience. Industry experience: Large retailer or manufacturer preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Strong attention to detail. Strong commercial sense and market knowledge of garment construction. Must be able to distinguish color. Demonstrates strong people skills and the ability to be an effective communicator, and team player. Able to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment. Ability to research and to apply market trend information. Working knowledge of design and product development processes. Ability to prioritize and manage workload with multiple deadlines. Strong presentation skills. Strong time management skills at a process and communication level. Strong sense of initiative. Creative ability to identify and create new products to address white space.

Specific Training: Must be proficient in design programs: Microsoft Office, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc. Strong fashion sense and ability to translate merchant/ market input into highly salable product. Strong creative skills and the ability to sketch and design new ideas.