Print and Color Manager

Color and Print Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time
Location: Hybrid – 3 days in office

Global fashion firm is seeking a Color and Print Manager to lead seasonal print, pattern, and color direction across a multi-brand, multi-category portfolio. This role will be central in defining and executing brand-right print strategies for a range of women’s and lifestyle brands.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, hands-on print expert with experience in multi-category and multi-brand environments, who can translate global trends into commercially viable artwork and partner closely with design, merchandising, and overseas vendors. Private label experience is preferred, but not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Seasonal Print & Color Direction
  • Develop and own seasonal print and color concepts for assigned brands, ensuring alignment with each brand’s aesthetic and target customer.
  • Create and present Global Trend Reports bi-annually to internal stakeholders for seasonal inspiration and line-building guidance.
  • Provide a clear, actionable framework of color palettes, print stories, and key motifs for use across multiple categories and brands.
• Artwork Development & CAD Leadership
  • Lead and mentor a team of CAD Artists, setting direction and priorities for new seasonal artwork and print development.
  • Create detailed artwork pitch sheets for various product categories, including wovens, knits, intarsias, swim, intimates, sportswear, dresses, tops, and sleepwear.
  • Oversee recoloring, refinement, and color reduction of existing artworks from vendors to meet aesthetic, technical, and cost parameters.
• Vendor & Production Partnership
  • Send pitch sheets and technical artwork packages to overseas vendors, ensuring clarity on print execution, technique, and feasibility.
  • Evaluate prints for technical and cost feasibility, recommending screen counts, print techniques, and color separations that meet margin targets.
  • Communicate daily with multiple global vendors to manage artwork development, resolve issues, and drive timely approvals.
  • Track each strike-off from submission through approval, providing clear comments, revisions, and follow-up to maintain production timelines.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with category designers to review and approve artwork strike-offs, ensuring fit with product design, fabric, and construction.
  • Collaborate with teams to ensure cohesive print stories and balanced assortments.
  • Work closely with brand managers on calendar management, print purchasing, and adherence to print budgets.
  • Support merchandising and sales with print and color narratives for line reviews and key account presentations as needed.
• Brand & Customer Understanding
  • Deeply understand multiple brand identities and customer profiles, tailoring print and color direction to each unique aesthetic.
  • Balance trend-right innovation with commercial viability, ensuring that artwork supports line architecture and business needs.
  • Maintain brand consistency while leveraging print and color to differentiate product across channels or customers.
• Cost & Process Management
  • Ensure print development aligns with cost targets and margin goals, particularly with screen-printed techniques.
  • Proactively optimize artwork (color counts, repeat size, coverage) to manage print costs without sacrificing design integrity.
  • Support continuous improvement of print workflows, tools, and communication practices to increase speed-to-market and accuracy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design, Fashion Design, Surface Design, Graphic Design, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Significant experience (typically 10+ years) in textile/print design, color, and CAD for apparel; multi-category and multi-brand experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in women’s and lifestyle apparel categories (e.g., dresses, knits, sportswear, swim, intimates, accessories).
• Private label or wholesale brand experience is highly preferred, but not required.
• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) and CAD textile tools; strong understanding of color management and print production processes.
• Proven experience directing or managing CAD/print teams or acting as a senior print lead.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret global trends into brand-right, commercially viable print assortments.
• Strong communication skills for effective collaboration with designers, brand managers, and overseas vendors.
• Highly organized, with proven ability to manage multiple brands, categories, and timelines simultaneously.
• Comfort working in a hybrid environment with 3 days per week in the office.