Design Director

Job Description

Job title: Design Director

Company: Manpower

Job description: Our client in the apparel industry is seeking a Design Director to join their team. This role will be integral in leading a portion of the New Development team, managing product development execution for Key Department Store & Branded Collaborations. This exciting opportunity will be pivotal in contributing to growing divisions within the brand.Job Title: Design Director – Key Dept Stores & Branded Collaborations
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Pay Range: $100k to $110k/yearWhat’s the Job?

• A working management role that combines design responsibilities with leadership and direction.
• Support design execution and planning to meet potential customer needs, working in close collaboration with the sales and account management teams to address the demands of a growing customer base.
• Oversees the New Development Key Dept Store & Branded Collaboration team from a management and design direction perspective.
• Manage departmental resources, review program allocations regularly to ensure balanced workload and proper fit between Design expertise and allocated categories.
• Onboard & train new employees to work functionally within the organization as needed.
• Conduct performance management exercises for directly reporting individuals.
• Coach/mentor new & existing employees to effectively manage growing responsibilities of the team.
• Coordinate with internal and external team members in a project management capacity to ensure all approval deadlines are met, troubleshoot and innovate solutions to avoid development delays.
• Meticulously plans Research & Development trips (market research trips, fabric shows, etc). Document formal plans ahead of trips categorized into sustainable technologies, trending fabric needs, filling gaps in vendor partnerships. Upon return from trips, conduct formal presentations of findings to ensure that the teams are all connected and informed.
• Drive Innovation through successful creation and execution of line plans for required brands & divisions through both market and trend analysis and past sales performance analysis.
• Identify new product categories, key items, fabric and colour stories for integration into brands & divisions.
• Define, drive and support Designer’s understanding of garment end-user, customer profile and needs associated with each item and the line as a whole.
• Ensure that each collection embodies brand ethos, advancement/alignment with trend/colour and company direction, as well as meeting cost parameters for various divisions.
• Lead Fabric Specialist team to source key industry-leading fabrications based on trending innovation, environmental footprint, price point, market research and customer requests.
• Effectively execute plans by ensuring that Designers are following line plans, enforces accountability to build the line in accordance with line plans, company trend direction and customer requirements.
• Manages sample development within a reasonable amount & cost to ensure supply chain is not overburdened with sampling & company is not over-paying for sample development.
• Maintain customer focus and supports Sales by working closely with Sales & Account Management to support needs of new and existing department store & branded collaboration partnerships.
• Identify needs of buying groups and build planning around customer demand and growth planning.
• Conduct Line Presentations for various brands and divisions (customer buying teams, Internal brand sales reps, etc.) to show company’s product in its fully realized form, generate interest from buying groups.
• Effectively communicate with other department managers to ensure seamless execution of collections.
• Ensure that all departments have the right starting point to ensure that design expression & integrity is being realized from development to pre-production to final product.
• Work with Marketing teams to ensure that design expression & integrity is being conveyed effectively to consumers. Consistent collaboration between the Design Directors at every level of the business is integral to success in this role.

What’s Needed?

• Post-secondary education in Fashion Design/Merchandising or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of industry experience in a similar role is required.
• Proven experience at all stages of the design process from conception through to implementation.
• Must possess strong organizational, planning and cost skills – subsequent ability to coach teams on said skill sets. Thrives under pressure and in fast-paced environments. Thrives in a team environment and can foster collaboration,
• Solid understanding & continuous improvement of knowledge with respect to marketplace, garment construction, fit and finishing.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously; self-starter approach to work with an eagerness and consistently meet and exceed objectives. An entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to take calculated risks for the companies well-being. Detail oriented with a “big picture” mindset.
• Ability to multi-task and lead in a fast-paced, cross-functional, creative and ever-adapting environment,
• Excellent communication skills – written, verbal, interpersonal and presentation.
• Ability to trave domestically and internationally (must hold valid passport).

What’s in it for me?

• $100k to $110k per year base salary to start
• Additional health, wellness and dental benefits
• Opportunities to travel abroad
• Career development opportunities
• Be part of a great apparel brand and have a pivotal role in its growth

If this is a role that interests you and you’d like to learn more, click apply now and a recruiter will be in touch with you to discuss this great opportunity. We look forward to speaking with you!About ManpowerGroup, Parent Company of: Manpower, Experis, Talent Solutions, and Jefferson Wells
ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing, and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower, Experis, Talent Solutions, and Jefferson Wells – creates substantial value for candidates and clients across more than 75 countries and territories and has done so for over 70 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity – as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality and Disability and in 2022 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 13th year – all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent.

Location: Winnipeg, MB

Job date: Sat, 31 May 2025 01:05:32 GMT