Designer

About the role

The Designer / Product Development role supports the development of seasonal handbag, backpack, and small leather goods collections from concept through production, partnering with the Design Director and cross‑functional teams to create innovative, commercially viable products while meeting development milestones and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Develop seasonal handbag, backpack, and small leather goods collections from concept through production.
• Research and identify seasonal trends, silhouettes, colors, materials, trims, hardware, and construction techniques.
• Create new product designs and improve existing product assortments.
• Partner with the Design Director to merchandise product assortments by brand.
• Develop colorways, material combinations, print artwork, and graphic applications as needed.
• Create presentation boards, line sheets, and sales materials featuring new product concepts.
• Communicate daily with overseas factories regarding product development, sample status, revisions, and estimated completion dates.
• Send sourcing and development communications to overseas partners.
• Prepare detailed tech packs for assigned accounts.
• Review pre‑production (PPS) samples to ensure all design, construction, hardware, material, and functionality requirements have been met; communicate approvals and revisions to factories.
• Maintain accurate style information and development updates within the PLM system.
• Finalize adopted styles in PLM for Production.
• Submit seasonal approval packages to licensors.
• Partner closely with Design, Production, Sales, and Licensing teams throughout the development process.
• Track sample progress and proactively follow up on outstanding items to ensure development milestones are achieved.
• Prepare samples, materials, and hardware standards for milestone meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in handbag, backpack, and/or small leather goods design and product development.
• Experience