Senior Handbag Designer

Our client is seeking a creative, detail-oriented Senior Handbag Designer with a strong understanding of fashion trends, materials, construction, and the off-price retail market. The ideal candidate will have experience managing handbag and small leather goods (SLG) collections from initial concept through production approval, balancing creativity with commercial appeal, costing requirements, and development deadlines.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research seasonal fashion trends, silhouettes, colors, materials, hardware, and finishes to develop commercially appealing handbag and SLG collections.
• Create original design concepts, CADs, sketches, colorways, and presentation boards aligned with brand identity and customer needs.
• Develop detailed tech packs, including measurements, construction specifications, materials, hardware, and artwork placement.
• Manage the design and development process from initial concept through sampling, revisions, and final production approval.
• Communicate directly with overseas factories regarding samples, specifications, construction, costing, and development timelines.
• Review prototypes and samples, providing clear feedback to ensure quality, functionality, and design consistency.
• Work within target FOB costs and retail price points, identifying cost-effective materials and construction techniques.
• Collaborate with the VP of Design, merchandising, sourcing, sales, and production teams to execute seasonal collections.
• Maintain organized design files, development calendars, and sample approvals while managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Present seasonal concepts and collections to internal teams and retail partners.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in handbag and accessories design, preferably within wholesale, private label, or licensed brands.
• Strong experience designing handbags, totes, crossbodies, satchels, and SLGs.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, with experience creating detailed CADs and tech packs.
• Strong knowledge of handbag construction, PU, leather, fabrics, hardware, and trims.
• Experience working directly with overseas factories throughout the product development process.
• Understanding of FOB costing, off-price retail, and commercial product development.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.