Design Director (socks)

Centric Brands is a leading lifestyle brand collective that designs, sources, markets and sells high-quality products in multiple segments, including women’s, men’s and kid’s apparel, accessories, entertainment and beauty. We are defined by innovation, creativity, and a customer-centric culture that values respect and hard work.

About the Role

As a Designer for Centric Brands, you’ll use your skills and creativity to create designs based on style plans, sales needs, and emerging trends. You will ensure your work can be transformed into a finished product in a timely manner and at an appropriate price point by collaborating with technical design, production teams, outside vendors, and other external stakeholders. This role involves working with performance brands like Merrell, Spyder, CAT, and Twisted X.

Responsibilities

• Strategy & Innovation
  • Shop and perform research to isolate key, relevant trends for each category or brand.
  • Review and provide perspective on competitive analysis.
  • Oversee product development and concept boards, mock-ups, color-ups, and inspirational photos for presentations.
  • Oversee development of initial seasonal design concepts in context of larger assortment and cost structure.
  • Collaborate with sales to devise style plans and design according to trends.
  • Ensure timely execution of the product development calendar.
  • Coordinate among design teams to ensure brand cohesiveness across categories.
  • Design and develop collections presented to key retail partners.
• Operations & Results
  • Lead team in troubleshooting, including identifying and resolving quality and technical issues.
  • Supervise creation of Illustrator sketches; approve specification sheets and line sheets.
  • Review product development logs, line sheets, and boards for consistency.
  • Approve raw materials and trims.
  • Approve lab dips and ensure consistency with color standards and licensor directives.
  • Approve prints and graphics where appropriate.
  • Work with the Design Ops team to ensure smooth workflow.
• Customers & Relationships
  • Direct interoffice communication and follow-up with internal and external customers, including suppliers and vendors.
  • Partner with production and tech teams.
  • Manage interoffice communication and relationships with vendors and internal customers.
• Leadership & Teams
  • Contribute positively to team dynamics and manage up where necessary.
  • Attract, develop, and retain talent.
  • Monitor and evaluate performance of individuals and the team.

Requirements

• Superior organizational skills and excellent communication skills; team-oriented.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines; highly detail-oriented, meticulous, and creative.
• Creativity, technical capability, and sensibility for merchandising; strong ability to sketch in Illustrator.
• Extensive knowledge of licensed accessories with a focus on knit execution, including silhouettes, colorways, fabrication, and trim.
• Familiarity with circular knitting and novelty trim application.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design or Graphic Design.
• 8–10 years of experience in apparel design, preferably in socks.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe products, and Mac computers.
• Sock experience is preferred.

Benefits

• Industry-competitive salary.
• Comprehensive benefits plan (medical, dental, vision).
• Matching 401(k).
• Summer Fridays.
• Generous PTO.
• Merchandise discounts.
• Excellent career development opportunities.
• Social impact program (Centric Cares) focused on volunteerism.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D&I) initiatives, including workshops and resources.

Pay

Salary Range: $130,000 – $140,000. The stated base salary range represents our good faith estimate, and offers are tailored based on experience, industry knowledge, location, skills, and other relevant factors. Base salary may be part of a total compensation package that includes commission, annual bonus, and other sponsored benefit programs.