Design Associate

About the role

Tailored Brands is a leading omnichannel specialty retailer of menswear, including suits, formalwear and a broad selection of business‑casual offerings. Its brands include Men’s Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Moores and K&G Fashion. The company values differences and is committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.

The Designer, Knits and Sweaters will work in coordination with the Design team to bring creative designs from the design and global sourcing office to life. The role requires deep knowledge of men’s apparel, fabrics, design principles, and the design, development, and sourcing processes, and thrives in a fast‑paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the entire product design process for all private labels, including trend research, sourcing raw materials, stitch development, sketching, creating design boards, tech pack development, BOMs and fit, in collaboration with the Design Director.
• Understand TBI brand aesthetics and translate them into exclusive products that align with seasonal concepts, storytelling, business strategy and vision.
• Research and source cut‑and‑sew fabrics and yarns from mills, balancing price points, attributes and aesthetics.
• Develop seasonally appropriate stitches that align with each brand’s seasonal concepts.
• Generate innovative ideas to build a strong, elevated collection and confidently present them to senior and cross‑functional partners.
• Monitor competition, walk the floor, and anticipate new design ideas.
• Update best‑sellers and reinvent next‑best‑seller products.
• Ensure products meet price points, convey a strong merchandising story, and satisfy SKU requirements for each brand.
• Create development packages, design sketch boards and CADs of seasonal products.
• Complete design technical packages and trim BOMs in Excel to develop precise prototype and showroom samples.
• Lead fittings with tech design and production teams, supported by the Design Director.
• Communicate and collaborate daily with merchandising, product development and technical design teams, as well as partners on the TBI team.
• Manage the team to ensure accurate execution on schedule.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion/Textile Design; specialization in fully fashioned sweaters preferred.
• 7+ years of fully fashioned sweater and cut‑and‑sew design experience.
• Expert design, technical sketch, and conceptual skills with high attention to detail.
• Advanced sketching skills in Illustrator.
• Strong sense of silhouette, color, material, trim and taste.
• Full understanding of technical knitting capabilities, yarn construction, machine gauge and garment construction.
• Strong organizational, time‑management, communication and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PLM systems.
• Ability to manage workflow in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment and meet deadlines.
• Enthusiasm for the brands and strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication abilities.
• Strong presentation skills.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Full‑time work from the New York, NY office.
• Authorization to work in the United States for any employer.
• Regular and on‑time attendance; hours can regularly exceed 40 hours per week with overtime as needed.
• Ability to sit and work at a computer keyboard for extended periods.
• Ability to stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, and reach daily.
• Occasional lifting and moving of up to 25 pounds.
• General office administrative activities: writing, copying, filing, delivering, and using the telephone.
• Required visual acuity, speech, hearing, hand‑eye coordination and manual dexterity to operate computer and office equipment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision healthcare coverage.
• Retirement savings plan (401 k) with company match.
• Income protection programs including life, accident and disability insurance.
• Paid time off for sick leave, vacation, bereavement, jury duty and holidays.
• Well‑being program.
• Commuter benefits.
• Adoption assistance.
• Education assistance.
• Legal services.
• Employee merchandise discounts.

Work‑Life Balance

• Meeting‑Free Fridays (encouraged) to catch up on work and self‑development.
• Summer Fridays (Memorial Day to Labor Day) for an early start to the weekend.
• Holiday Early Departure – close out early the business day before a company‑observed holiday.

Pay

The starting salary for this position is $76,398 – $101,847 and may increase to $127,296 depending on merit, length of service, and other factors. Final salary is determined based on an individual’s skills, background and experience, and may be subject to prevailing wage laws.