Competitive Set

• Regularly monitor and report changes in the retail environment
• Benchmark the competition in terms of fit, fabric, construction and positioning
• Follow and report current trends and innovation

Product Development

• Ability to create surface design, pitch sheets and color separation for all graphic art
• Review and approve layout and color of seasonal strike offs/ handlooms
• Create scorecard to launch seasonal product development
• Attend and take notes on all fit sessions
• Daily communications with vendors
• Maintain seasonal calendars and communication with RLC partners
• Track the development of key trims, fabrics and findings
• Create trim sheets/ design detail sketches for BOM hand off to tech/ merchandising team

Quality / Costing

• Review top of production samples and work with appropriate functional areas to resolve issues
• Identify and drive the implementation of cost savings initiatives

Internal/External Account Interaction

• Assist in creating seasonal style guides for account meetings
• Responsible for product presentation/ showroom set-up, as well as competitive benchmarking analysis

Link Front End to Back End

• Develop and maintain visual Style References
• Work cross functionally to manage new product launches and product improvements from innovation to industrialization
• Manage and update the style count tracking document
• Provide product details that feed the where make process

Sample Procurement

• Manage and coordinate any product requests and sample requests for research, line meetings, account presentations, and internal/external meetings

Product Development

• Assist in the seasonal Ideation meeting and maintaining/driving the Product Innovation Pipeline
• Identify and drive product improvements and cost savings initiatives.
• Follow specific RLC design guidelines and maintain tracking of milestone meetings

• Education/degrees: Bachelors degree in fashion design, graphic/surface design, apparel management or textile design. Advanced Degree preferred.
• Special Skills: Computer knowledge required -, Adobe creative suite, Microsoft Office, Powerpoint, Excel, Outlook
• Years of experience: 1-2 years in Apparel design/ Graphic design
• Type of experience: Design, graphic design, surface design or Product Development
• Special Knowledge: An individual pursuing the assistant designer position should have a working knowledge of knit apparel manufacturing, product features and benefits, yarn types and construction, as well as associated cost. Candidate should have an understanding of retail buying calendar and mark-up structure. Also, the individual should be visionary with a good sense of color and style. Proven ability to work under tight deadlines, excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work effectively in a matrix organization.