Graphic Designer (Apparel)

Full Time

Ind Contributor

Buffalo, NY, US

Salary Range: $60,000.00 To $72,000.00 Annually

New Era Cap, LLC. is an international lifestyle brand headquartered in Buffalo, NY with an authentic sports heritage that dates back over 100 years. Best known for being the official on-field cap for MLB, official sideline cap for NFL, and official on-court cap for NBA, New Era Cap is the brand of choice not only for its headwear collection, but also for its accessories and apparel lines for men, women and youth. The brand is worn as a symbol of self-expression by athletes, artists and some of the most interesting people around the globe. New Era Cap encourages people to truly express their personal style and individuality through its products.

Since 1920, this family-owned business has hired employees who are masters of their craft. We are innovators, architects of culture, experts, and forward thinkers. We demand excellence because we pride ourselves on the quality of our products and the authenticity of our brand.

Interested in working with us? Check out this exciting opportunity at New Era Cap’s Headquarters (HQ) building located in downtown Buffalo, NY. This role is 100% on-site, encouraging employees to collaborate and connect in person five days a week. HQ offers an inviting atmosphere, complete with an on-site café, fitness center, and Flagship store.

Apply to join New Era's team!

We are seeking a talented and creative Graphic Designer (Apparel) to join our graphic design team in developing innovative and trend-forward graphics for our apparel collections. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in graphic design, a keen eye for fashion trends, and experience working on a fast-paced design team. This role requires a strategic thinker with the ability to balance creativity and commercial viability while ensuring brand consistency across all designs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute graphic concepts ensuring alignment with brand identity and market trends (i.e., in-line quarterly programs, eCommerce exclusives, branded projects, M2O Product, Key Account Custom Product, and Brand Collaborations)

• Collaborate closely with product developers, fashion designers, and marketing teams to ensure cohesive storytelling across apparel lines

• Aid the design team in the creation of graphic assets, including prints, patterns, typography, logos, and illustrations, tailored for various garment styles

• Conduct market research to stay ahead of fashion trends, colors, and competitor analysis to inform design decisions

• Ensure all designs meet brand standards, technical requirements, and production feasibility

• Manage design workflows, project timelines, and deadlines, ensuring smooth execution from concept to final production

• Work with vendors and suppliers to develop and approve graphic techniques, applications, and print processes

• Present design concepts and collections to internal teams and stakeholders for feedback and approval

• Maintain a digital library of artwork, patterns, and design assets for future use and reference

• Create accurate and thorough design packs for development and vendors to ensure proper execution

• Adhere to design and development calendars to ensure timely delivery of protos and salesman samples

• Innovate new apparel concepts and stories and champion their entrance into the market

• Design/Create relevant, on-trend apparel to work within both Licensed Product parameters and New Era Branded guidelines

• Collaborate with Product Development and Sourcing Teams to develop products utilizing standardized colors, embellishments, techniques and silhouettes

• Keep all sensitive matters confidential

• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong portfolio showcasing a range of apparel graphic design work, including print, typography, and branding

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other design software

• Understanding of textile printing techniques, fabric applications, and production processes

• Ability to interpret market trends and translate them into compelling designs

• Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

• Expert of design craft, innovation, graphic applications, prints, processes, and tools

• Capable of managing the design process and partnering with development groups and upper management

• Follows through with all tasks, assignments to meet product development calendar

• Lead through clear communication, authentic style and appropriate actions

• Ability to establish relationships and interact with various levels within the organization

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and efficiently prioritize workday to maximize productivity

• Enthusiastic, pro-active, and positive person who adapts to change and with urgency and persistence

• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of professional sports leagues and teams

• Proficient in understanding limitations to the embroidery and screen-printing process

• Demonstrate a strong graphic ability in custom logo and wordmark design; can provide a portfolio of creative work demonstrating this

• Actively participate in design critiques

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 10 lbs

Education and Experience

• Three (3) to Five (5) years related experience in a Graphic design and/or soft goods embroidery/screen-printing environment

• Bachelor’s Degree in Design preferred; relevant job experience in lieu of degree will be considered

• Portfolio is required for application to be considered

Travel Requirement

• The location for this position is 100% on-site in Buffalo, NY

• 0% to 5%; domestic and/or global

New Era Cap, LLC is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer that believes in inclusion and does not discriminate against any candidate or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, genetics, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.

The salary range for this posted position is $60,000 - $72,000 (plus bonus & benefits) and pertains to candidates located in Western New York. Actual compensation will fall within this range and is determined by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, education, essential job duties and requirements, and necessary experience.

Our casual work environment celebrates individuality and encourages employees to showcase their personal style. We pride ourselves on offering competitive compensation, a generous PTO policy, along with world-class benefits designed to promote health, financial stability, and personal growth.

As an employee, you'll enjoy a range of perks, including paid parking, exclusive discounts on apparel and headwear, and professional development opportunities right here on-site. We can't wait for you to experience all that our dynamic workplace has to offer!

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