Associate Designer, French Connection

About the role

The Associate Designer will be responsible for creating sketches, managing design packages, researching and developing innovative trims and fabrics, preparing tech packs, and coordinating development with factories.

Responsibilities

• Create sketches for development, both hand sketches and Adobe Illustrator flats.
• Complete all aspects of design packages including sketching, tech packs, and creating/maintaining line sheets.
• Research and develop innovative trims each season; research and source new fabrics.
• Prepare and maintain tech packs from initial development through bulk production.
• Organize and maintain all design development materials including artwork, trims, fabric worksheets, development samples, finalized tech packs, and line lists.
• Attend garment fittings and assist Technical Designers; revise tech packs and communicate updates to factories.
• Submit and approve artwork, strike-offs, wash panels, lab dips, and related materials.
• Create CAD presentations for internal and external use with speed and accuracy.
• Create and maintain charts for overseas sample requests.
• Communicate daily with factories regarding ongoing product development.
• Prepare samples for meetings and market appointments.
• Enter PLM data and create BOMs for production.
• Cook up and maintain charts for overseas sample requests.
• Cook up and maintain charts for overseas sample requests.
• Coordinate domestic and overseas development to ensure adherence to timelines and calendars.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of professional apparel design experience.
• College degree in Fashion Design or equivalent professional work experience required.
• Experience in a high SKU count environment required.
• Strong understanding of apparel styles, components, garment construction, and development processes.
• Experience with apparel timelines, calendars, and production lifecycle.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop, MS Excel, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Advanced MS Excel skills including data manipulation, pivot tables, and VLOOKUP.
• Working knowledge of PLM systems and BOM creation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Qualifications

• Highest level of integrity and ethics.
• Ability to work independently and meet multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Collaborative and solutions-oriented mindset.

Benefits

• Competitive hourly compensation.
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).
• PTO and company holidays.
• Employee discounts.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $31.25 – $36.06 per hour (non-exempt).