Lead Designer/concept Specialist

Lead Designer/Concept Specialist

At RCL - Reitmans (Canada) Limited, we live and breathe fashion and customer experience every day. We believe that fashion is about more than just style — it's about empowering our customers with the confidence to shine when it matters most. Whether through bold ideas at the design table or seamless experiences in our stores and digital channels, our goal is to create unforgettable moments. With a strong portfolio of brands and a passionate, creative team, we constantly reimagine what's possible in fashion retail.

Our Fashion Design and Product Development teams for our Penn. Penningtons Brand are on a mission to redefine plus-size fashion by creating beautiful, trend-forward products, with exceptional fit that meet and exceed customer expectations. We are seeking a talented and visionary Lead Designer/ Fashion Concept Manager to join our Penn. Penningtons team and help us shape the future of plus size fashion. In this role, you will work closely with the Design Director to craft compelling concept stories and collaborate with both the fabric and design teams to ensure a seamless workflow. We're looking for a creative leader with strong organizational skills, a passion for fashion design, and the ability to inspire and guide a collaborative team toward success. Exceptional creativity, leadership, and teamwork are essential to thrive in this role.

From concept:

• Research and development of trend forecasts (apparel and accessories), micro trends and fabrics
• Support in building trend forecast presentation & making documentations before travels.
• Support in building Concept presentations after travels (under the supervision of design director)
• Support in building key outfits and completing them with accessories (while making sure to address those to our plus-size customer)
• Kick off meeting: support in building the kick off document, building presentation with samples

Trend & in season

• Chase: bring newness ideas and information on upcoming missing trends or capsules to chase
• Chase future trends to influence current photoshoot: work with coordinator & stylist to inject upcoming trends in photoshoot with accessories
• Provide the merch team with constant information on new upcoming trends through newsletters to the team.

Product development (support in fabric)

• Fabric planning: work with fabric department to get a first pass of key fabrics to support the concept.
• Fabric Pre-alignment and coordination with design team and booking meeting with design and merch.

Travel

Possibility of about 2 trips a year

Qualifications and Competencies

• University degree (or College diploma) in Fashion Design
• 8+ years of related experience in fashion concept management and fashion design
• Ability to foster and build relationships and influence others
• Excellent fashion sense and a knack for originality and creativity
• Excellent communication and analytical skills
• Ability to travel to the US (New York) twice a year

Join Penn. And be part of a brave new era of plus size fashion!

What Sets Us Apart:

• Ultimate flexibility: Enjoy a hybrid work environment that ensures the perfect balance between work and personal life.
• Well-being first: Access a comprehensive benefits program designed to take care of you.
• Flexible time off: Paid leave, sick days, and vacation time to recharge and spend quality time with loved ones.
• Exclusive discounts: Enjoy 50% off regular-priced items from Penningtons, Reitmans, and RW&CO.
• Referral rewards: Refer friends and earn a bonus for helping us grow our talented team.
• Growth opportunities: Annual bonuses, career advancement, and tuition reimbursement to help you reach your professional goals.

Total rewards are aligned with your employment status, offering different perks depending on whether you're full-time, part-time, or under contract.

Reitmans (Canada) Limited is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace for all. We recognize that our future success depends on the perspectives and contributions of all our employees -- their diverse backgrounds, abilities and experiences make our business stronger. If you are contacted for a job opportunity, please advise us of any accommodations needed to ensure fair and equitable access throughout the recruitment and selection process. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential and used only for providing an accessible candidate experience.

We thank all applicants. Only selected candidates will be contacted.