Design Associate, Knits

Coach is a global fashion house founded in New York in 1941. Inspired by the vision of Creative Director Stuart Vevers and the inclusive and courageous spirit of our hometown, we make beautiful things, crafted to last—for you to be yourself in. Coach is part of the Tapestry portfolio—a global house of brands committed to stretching what’s possible.

About the role

The Design Associate, Knits will collaborate on concepts each season that are fashion driven and reflective of the creative vision and Coach aesthetic. You will be part of a dynamic, creative environment where you will work with talented designers and cross-functional partners.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Senior Knitwear Designer to research and develop knit designs from initial swatch development to first prototype.
• Ensure timeline adherence, meeting all key milestones and calendar dates.
• Create design flats and creative mock-ups using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Support the creation of design cards to pass clear information to suppliers.
• Partner cross-functionally with Merchandising and Product Development.
• Manage and distribute seasonal line sheets.
• Support local development efforts.
• Manage an apprentice and maintain the materials library and vintage knitwear archive.

Requirements

• Organized with the ability to handle multiple priorities at once.
• Flexible with strong self-management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Collaborative team player with great initiative.
• Basic knit and embroidery skills; hands-on when development requires it.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Design or related field.
• 2–4 years’ experience in knits design.
• Knowledge of knits construction, familiarity with gauges, stitches, and yarns.
• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, Microsoft Word, and Excel.
• Knowledge of design software PointCarre (a bonus).
• Proven ability to sketch and spec.
• Strong color sense.
• Fashion/luxury brand experience (a plus).

Skills

• Courage: Provides direct, actionable feedback; addresses problems quickly.
• Creativity: Generates new and unique ideas; connects unrelated concepts.
• Customer Focus: Dedicated to meeting internal and external customer expectations.
• Dealing with Ambiguity: Comfortable with change and acting without full information.
• Drive for Results: Consistently exceeds goals; bottom-line oriented.
• Interpersonal Savvy: Builds rapport across all levels; diffuses high-tension situations.
• Learning on the Fly: Quick learner; analyzes successes and failures for improvement.

Pay

Base Pay Range: $70,000.00–$80,000.00

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid paternity and maternity leave
• Commuter benefits
• Disability insurance
• Tuition assistance