Associate Designer- Kids and Baby
Our client is a well-known baby apparel and accessories brand that specializes in organic cotton who is seeking a creative, detail-oriented Associate Designer to support the development of children’s apparel collections from initial inspiration through production.
The Associate Designer will partner closely with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, Sales, and overseas factory partners to bring seasonal concepts to life. Children’s apparel experience is preferred but not required.
Responsibilities:
- Support the design and development of children’s apparel collections from concept through production.
- Research seasonal trends, color, print, fabric, and silhouette direction relevant to the children’s market.
- Create mood boards, CADs, flat sketches, technical drawings, and market presentations.
- Own CAD development and maintain accurate, organized design files.
- Assist with artwork mill sheets, technical packages, and product information in PLM.
- Prepare printouts, swatches, CADs, and other materials for seasonal line reviews.
- Help manage in-house design requests and support presentation development.
Product Development & Sample Management
- Review salesman and pre-production samples with strong attention to detail.
- Photograph samples and communicate accurate comments, approvals, and revisions through PLM.
- Maintain records of approvals, bulk submissions, and development milestones.
- Participate in fittings with the Technical Design and Design teams.
- Support the creation and maintenance of clear, accurate development documentation.
Collaboration & Process Management
- Collaborate with Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, Sales, and external factory partners throughout the design process.
- Support seasonal line reviews and cross-functional meetings with notes, materials, and follow-up.
- Communicate daily with Product Development and overseas vendors to help keep projects on track.
- Maintain a thorough understanding of the seasonal calendar, key milestones, and deadlines.
- Manage multiple projects while ensuring consistent quality, accuracy, and timely execution.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or a related field.
- 2+ years of apparel design experience; children’s apparel experience is a plus.
- Strong knowledge of garment construction, fabrications, fit standards, and product development processes.
- Exceptional color sense and a strong eye for print, pattern, proportion, and detail.
- Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
- Experience creating flats, CADs, technical packages, and artwork documentation.
- Experience working with overseas vendors and factories.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Experience with PLM systems preferred; Centric PLM experience is a plus.
