Associate Designer - Product Development

Job Title: Associate Designer, Product Development Work Location: New York, NY (Hybrid) Duration: 3 month contract with option to extend Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree preferred Position Overview Position Overvie w The Associate Designer, supports the development and execution of seasonal apparel collections, with a primary focus on collaborative initiatives, licensing, and third‑party vendor program s . This role works closely with internal cross‑functional partners and external vendors to ensure collaborative product aligns with brand identity, design vision, quality standards, and seasonal timelines. The Associate Designer will play an integral role in day‑to‑day design development, technical execution, and coordination across multiple stakeholders. Serving as the key liaison between head designers and third‑party vendors and licensing teams, this role ensures clear communication, timely follow‑ups, and accurate execution of design intent. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail‑oriented, and thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment, combining strong communication skills with a solid foundation in garment construction and apparel development Key Responsibilities rtAct as th e primary point of conta ct between the design team and third-party vendo rsClearly communicate design intent, fit comments, and product detai lsCoordinate and track all sample submissions, lab dips, and design approva lsManage incoming and outgoing submits to ensure deadlines are m etMaintain professional, timely email correspondence with vendo rsSupport head designers by documenting and following up on fit commen tsMaintain organized design libraries, records, and sample archiv esAssist in the preparation of design packages, decks, and presentatio nsCollaborate with cross‑functional partners to keep projects aligned and on schedu leSupport the design development of collaborative and third‑party collections, ensuring alignment with brand standar dsContribute to seasonal concepts, color palettes, prints, and silhouettes specific to collaboration initiativ esCreate and update technical sketches and flats using Adobe Illustrat orSupport fabric, trim, wash, and color selection in partnership with the Design erContribute to mood boards, concept decks, line reviews, and collaboration presentatio nsConduct trend, market, and competitive research using digital platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, WGSN, and Mi onCreate, update, and maintain detailed and accurate tech packs, including measurements, construction details, BOMs, and design commen tsSupport fit sessions by capturing detailed notes, tracking revisions, and following up on required chang esAssist with sample management, including tracking, organizing, reviewing, and maintaining sample librari esTrack product updates throughout the development lifecycle to ensure accuracy and on‑time executi onSupport communication with third‑party vendors and overseas factories to uphold design intent and brand expectatio Cross-Functional Collaboration onPartner closely with Merchandising, Technical Design, Production, and Sourcing teams to align collaborative product with line plans, costing, and timelin esAssist in managing seasonal calendars and collaboration‑specific mileston esSupport adoption meetings, line reviews, and cross‑functional checkpoin Administrative & Operational Support rtOrganize and maintain design files, collaboration decks, reference libraries, and seasonal boar dsUpdate PLM systems, line plans, BOMs, and internal tracking too lsSupport market preparation, collaboration launches, and internal presentatio Qualifications onBachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field preferr Experience ce1–3 years of experience in apparel design or product development (including internship s) Experience working on collaborations, licensed product, or with third‑party vendors strongly preferr edApparel industry experience requir Skills lsProficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; PLM experience a pl usWorking knowledge of garment construction, fabrics, and f itExceptional attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously lyStrong written and verbal communication skills, particularly when working with external partne rs etBasic understanding and hands‑on experience using AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Vizcom) for ideation, concept development, and design visualizati Personal Attributes esStrong interest in collaboration-driven product and brand partnershi psProactive, adaptable, and open to feedba ck ckHighly organized and comfortable managing multiple timelin es esTeam-oriented with a positive, collaborative minds etAbility to balance creative thinking with execution and deadlin ef Physical Requirements tsAbility to lift and transport garment samples and sample box esAbility to attend fittings, reviews, and seasonal meetin #J-18808-Ljbffr Paladin Consulting