Associate Designer, Kid's Apparel (4-20)

Description The Associate Designer will support the design and development of trend-driven children’s apparel (sizes newborn - 6x), helping to bring brand-right, commercially viable product to market. This role assists with the full design lifecycle—from concept research and sketching through sample development—while partnering closely with senior designers and cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate brings strong creativity, solid technical skills, and a keen eye for trends within the children’s market. As a key collaborator with Sales, Merchandising, Technical Design, and Production, the Associate Designer will help maintain design accuracy, track sample progress, and ensure that all deliverables meet brand standards and deadlines. Responsibilities Design & Product Development Assist in the design and development of seasonal collections in sizes newborn - 6x, ensuring alignment with brand direction and account needs. Create flat sketches, colorways, and detailed technical packages under the guidance of senior design leadership. Support the development of compelling assortments based on style plans, market research, and trend direction. Communicate daily with vendors to track samples, review execution, and ensure timely deliveries. Review samples and provide clear feedback regarding fit, construction, and quality in partnership with senior designers and Technical Design. Conduct trend, color, and competitive research to help inform seasonal concepts. Assist in preparing seasonal concept boards, fabric direction, and key silhouette presentations. Ensure all account-specific requirements are maintained throughout the design process. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Merchandising and Sales to ensure design updates support SKU plans and client needs. Work closely with Technical Design to support fit comments and overall product accuracy. Communicate product updates and design changes to Production Coordinators and overseas partners. Collaborate with internal teams to ensure assortments are on-brand and commercially sound. Organization & Workflow Maintain organized sample racks, fabric/trim libraries, and digital design files. Support the creation and upkeep of tech pack archives and seasonal documentation. Contribute to a collaborative, detail-oriented, and fast-paced team environment. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field. 1–3 years of design and/or product development experience, ideally within children’s apparel. Strong understanding of garment construction, fabrics, trims, and embellishments. Solid trend awareness with the ability to interpret inspiration into brand-right design ideas. Proficient in Adobe Illustrator; Photoshop experience preferred. Ability to create clear flats, tech packs, and construction notes. Strong communication, organization, and time-management skills. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines. Collaborative mindset with eagerness to learn and support senior team members. Hybrid Work Schedule 4 days a week in the office, Fridays at home New York Pay Rate $53,000 - $65,000 We strive to hire and nurture amazing talent. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience, specialized skills, and internal alignment. Company Overview Golden Touch is a family owned and operated wholesale apparel manufacturer with a mission to deliver trend focused products for nearly 50 years. We produce private label brands for large mass market retailers across the globe specializing in children’s, junior, missy and women’s apparel. Diversity Vision Statement We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our associates, customers, suppliers, and the communities in which we live and conduct business. We are an equal employment opportunity for minorities, females, protected veterans, and the disabled. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and treating our associates and applicants without discrimination based on their race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected factor. #J-18808-Ljbffr