Lead Designer - Apparel/Graphics

Lead Designer - Apparel/Graphics Have you ever envisioned leading the design of fashion-forward headwear for top brands? At Outdoor Cap, we're looking for a Lead Designer to drive innovation, inspire creativity, and shape the future of headwear. In this role, you'll lead the design process from concept to execution, collaborating with cross-functional teams and working with some of the most recognized names in retail. You'll play a key role in setting trends, guiding design direction, and mentoring a talented team. The Lead Designer - Apparel/Graphics is responsible for leading network specific projects, supporting other networks and collaborating with a team of designers that share the common goal of creating original, innovative designs using Adobe CC. Personal involvement is in every phase of the product design process, including brainstorming, concept development, design execution and critique. Utilizing customer knowledge and a full range of product design, identity design, branding, trending, and sourcing knowledge, this position concentrates on every aspect of the product, understanding that it is a three-dimensional object with many facets. Duties and Responsibilities Collaborates with leadership, other designers and cross-departmentally in the concept development process and leads network specific projects in design and customer knowledge. Executes design at an advanced level; applying brand identity, customer preferences, sales history, market benchmark and trend direction appropriately to meet the unique needs of the customer. Gives and solicits feedback from other designers to continually raise the bar for quality. Is objective and solution driven, collaborating with Designers and Directors to accommodate varying degrees of critique and revision. Stays informed of technique and fabric availability at all factories and brings innovative ideas for design and decoration to the team. Highly flexible and organized, managing time and changes to project priorities. Maintains awareness of new and continual changes to design requests, techniques, headwear styles and programs to ensure quality standards in all deliverables. Provides detailed specification for the factory e.g., fabrication, color, technique, shape, and references. Researches the retail market, compiles, and analyzes season relevant trending. Communicates verbal and written communications effectively and professionally in both face-to-face and group settings internally and externally. Attends daily sample review meetings and identifies opportunities for improvement. Attends planning meetings and engages team to clarify direction. Is service oriented: reacts immediately to requests that may require quick turnaround to meet a deadline or exceed expectations. Presents design collections for network customer accounts internally and externally, effectively communicating direction, design rationale and design details. Looks for opportunities to work quickly and efficiently, yielding both quality and results. Maintains a file management system for accuracy, consistency, and easy access. Ensures that designs comply with internal and external guidelines. Participates in skill development training in an effort to create value and maximize impact. Employs a project management system to manage assigned projects. Ability to attend trade shows and customer meetings as required. Protects Outdoor Cap and its property by securing artwork that is shared outside of the company. Guarantees all designs respect copyright laws and follow intellectual property guidelines. Demonstrates a robust knowledge of Outdoor Cap's brands, products, and systems. Upholds Outdoor Cap's Mission-Vision-Values and Founder's Pillars by acting with integrity; working together as a team; treating each other with respect. Works closely with sales, sourcing, and development teams to design and present "Merchandise Solutions" including custom point of purchase and PDQ displays, hangtags & trim. Skills & Competencies Teamwork and Collaboration {Demonstrates commitment to team members and engages in collaborative, detail-oriented communication across all departments. Effectively sets priorities and manages timelines to get work done. Shows respect, builds trust, and exhibits flexibility to change. Analyzes situations, thinks before acting and uses sound judgment when making decisions and offering solutions.} Design Acumen {Maintains a high level of awareness and understanding of the marketplace, industry trends and competition. Analyzes opportunities and offers innovative and practical solutions to bring innovative ideas to market. Creative and critical thinking driven by knowledge of principles of design: layout, typography, color, balance, composition, and design trends. Fast and efficient learner with desire to further develop through training to expand technical proficiency, creative thinking, and an increased working knowledge of headwear design.} Customer Service {Demonstrates commitment to our customers and represents Outdoor Cap in a professional manner. Provides exceptional service and responds to customer needs with urgency, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail. Maintains operational awareness. Effectively presents Outdoor Cap's strengths, capabilities, offerings, and value proposition.} Education & Qualifications Minimum Associate degree in graphic design and 3+ years' experience in graphic design; or equivalent combined education and experience. Advanced level technical abilities in Adobe CC and Mac OSX Proficient level technical abilities in Microsoft Office Physical/Mental Requirements Must be able to remain in a stationary position (seated) 80% of the day and occasionally reach, bend, and move. inside the office to access files and product. Domestic and/or international travel up to 25% Required to have close visual acuity to perform computer tasks and operate other office machinery. The person in this position frequently communicates with internal and external customers and must be able to exchange accurate information in a clear manner Ability to move 10-20 lbs. occasionally throughout day. Able to hear a telephone ring. Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors) Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Outdoor Cap