CTM Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: CTM Product Designer

Company: NEW ERA CAP LLC

Location: Westwood, MA, US

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Creative & Media / Manufacturing / Retail / Sports & Recreation

Date Posted: May 14, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develops and creates production-ready graphics for apparel and headwear collections, focusing on fast-turnaround product lines, key accounts, and special make-up (SMU) initiatives.

• Translates design concepts and brand assets into finalized artwork that adheres to specific league licensing guidelines and customer requirements.

• Ensures the quality and accuracy of all graphics throughout the production lifecycle, from initial request to final sample review.

• Collaborates cross-functionally with design, product management, and licensing teams to meet aggressive deadlines for hot market and chase product lines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "CTM Product Designer" and the description "Close to Market Production Art Designer - Apparel & Headwear" indicate a role heavily focused on the rapid production and delivery of graphic assets for time-sensitive product launches, particularly within the sports and apparel industry. This suggests a need for efficiency, strong organizational skills, and a deep understanding of production workflows.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute production art requests for ’47 headwear and apparel collections, utilizing provided graphic templates and logo identity sheets for all leagues.

• Translate ’47 Apparel & Headwear collections into production-ready graphics suitable for various key account booking programs, SMU, and hot market products.

• Process and complete production art requests from Product teams, Sales Representatives, and Customer Service accurately and within established timelines.

• Implement customer-requested revisions and ensure all artwork complies with specific league licensing requirements and restrictions.

• Meet strict deadlines for hot market artwork, maintaining efficient art turn-around times.

• Collaborate closely with the Close to Market (CTM) Manager and Designers on design growth opportunities, product boards, and graphic selection.

• Assist in the creation of headwear and apparel graphics for larger, more comprehensive product programs.

• Review and manage license changes and revisions through the designated artist dashboard.

• Oversee the review of headwear samples and stitch-outs to confirm alignment with approved artwork.

• Communicate daily with domestic headwear manufacturers to ensure production quality and adherence to specifications.

• Verify that all aspects of the finished product, including logo size, colors, materials, verbiage, aesthetics, and overall production quality, precisely match the approved artwork and specification sheets.

• Stay informed and current on all relevant league licensing guidelines and any associated restrictions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a high-volume, fast-paced production environment. The role requires not just design execution but also rigorous quality control and clear communication with manufacturing partners and internal stakeholders to ensure brand consistency and compliance with licensing agreements.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 2-5 years of experience in graphic design, with a strong preference for experience in apparel or headwear graphics.

Required Skills:

• Adobe Illustrator Proficiency: Strong command of Adobe Illustrator for creating and manipulating vector graphics, preparing files for production, and ensuring scalability.

• Production Art Expertise: Proven ability to translate design concepts into production-ready artwork, understanding print methods and material limitations for apparel and headwear.

• Quality Control Acumen: Meticulous attention to detail for reviewing artwork, samples, and final products against specifications and licensing requirements.

• Time Management & Multitasking: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet stringent deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Problem-Solving Skills: Capacity to identify issues, troubleshoot design or production challenges, and implement effective solutions.

• Organizational Skills: Excellent ability to maintain organized files, manage workflows, and track project progress.

Preferred Skills:

• Mac Platform Experience: Familiarity and proficiency working within a Mac operating system environment.

• MS Office Suite Proficiency: Competence in using Microsoft Office applications for communication, documentation, and basic data management.

• Apparel & Headwear Graphics Experience: Specific experience creating graphics for t-shirts, hats, and other apparel items, understanding embellishment techniques.

• Licensing Knowledge: Familiarity with sports league licensing requirements and restrictions (e.g., MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL).

• Communication Skills: Ability to clearly articulate design and production requirements to internal teams and external manufacturers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Illustrator, Mac platform, and production-specific skills like quality control and deadline management are critical for this role. The preference for apparel/headwear graphics and licensing knowledge further refines the ideal candidate profile.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Production Art Examples: Showcase a range of production-ready artwork for apparel and/or headwear, demonstrating your ability to adhere to templates, brand guidelines, and technical specifications.

• Design Adaptation: Include examples where you've adapted existing designs or collections for different product types, accounts, or licensing requirements.

• Quality Control Focus: Highlight projects where meticulous attention to detail and quality assurance were paramount, perhaps showing before-and-after comparisons or detailing your review process.

• Speed & Efficiency: Demonstrate projects completed under tight deadlines, illustrating your ability to deliver high-quality work efficiently.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal workflow for managing production art requests from intake to final approval.

• Articulate your process for collaborating with cross-functional teams (Design, Product Management, Licensing) to ensure successful project outcomes.

• Describe your methods for quality assurance and how you ensure artwork accuracy and compliance with licensing regulations.

• Be ready to explain how you manage revisions and feedback from various stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is essential, not just for design aesthetic but for demonstrating practical production capabilities, adherence to brand and licensing standards, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure. Candidates should be ready to articulate their design and production processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $60,000 per year

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Paid Time Off: Includes vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Potential for a 401(k) plan with company match.

• Employee Discount: Discounts on New Era Cap products.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training and skill enhancement.

Working Hours:

• Standard 40-hour work week, typically Monday through Friday.

• Flexibility may be required at times to meet critical production deadlines, especially for hot market products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Production Art Designer role with 2-5 years of experience in the Westwood, MA area. The benefits package is typical for a full-time position in the apparel/retail industry. The note about potential flexibility for deadlines is important for candidates to consider.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Apparel & Headwear Manufacturing, Retail, Sports & Recreation. NEW ERA CAP LLC operates within the competitive landscape of branded apparel and headwear, with a significant focus on sports leagues and licensed merchandise.

Company Size: The company is likely of a medium to large size, given its established presence and operations across multiple locations and through platforms like ADP. This size suggests a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for impact.

Founded: New Era Cap Company was founded in 1920, giving it a long and rich history in headwear manufacturing. This legacy implies a culture that values tradition, quality, and brand heritage, while also adapting to modern design and market demands.

Team Structure:

• The CTM (Close to Market) team likely comprises designers, production artists, and potentially product managers focused on rapid product development and fulfillment.

• This role reports to the CTM Manager, indicating a direct reporting line within a specialized design production unit.

Methodology:

• The CTM team likely employs agile and iterative design processes to respond quickly to market trends and customer demands.

• Emphasis is placed on efficiency, accuracy, and strict adherence to brand guidelines and licensing agreements.

• Data from sales, licensing, and market trends likely informs design and production decisions.

Company Website: https://www.neweracap.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: New Era's long history suggests a stable company with a strong brand identity. The "Close to Market" aspect of the role implies a fast-paced, results-oriented culture focused on speed and accuracy in product development, especially for licensed sports merchandise.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an intermediate-level "Production Art Designer" or "CTM Product Designer." It requires specialized technical skills in graphic production and a solid understanding of the apparel/headwear design lifecycle, rather than broad strategic operations management.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report directly to the CTM Manager, working within a team dedicated to fast-turnaround product design and production. This structure allows for focused mentorship and direct contribution to time-sensitive projects.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role in terms of process optimization or system implementation, this position has a direct impact on revenue through the timely delivery of visually appealing and compliant products. Errors or delays can result in lost sales opportunities, especially for hot market items. The role ensures the visual integrity and market-readiness of products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Production Artist/Designer: Advance to handle more complex projects, mentor junior designers, or take on lead responsibilities for specific product lines or accounts.

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific areas such as apparel graphics, headwear embellishment techniques, or advanced licensing artwork.

• Design Team Transition: Potentially transition into a broader Product Design role if the candidate demonstrates strong creative and conceptual design skills beyond pure production.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to refining the CTM workflow and production processes to increase efficiency and accuracy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is primarily within the creative production function, not a typical Revenue or Sales Operations role. However, its impact on timely product delivery and sales readiness is significant. Growth often leads to senior creative production roles or specialized design functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, indicating a traditional office or studio environment. The company likely provides dedicated workstations equipped with the necessary design software and hardware.

Office Location(s): Westwood, MA. This location is a suburb of Boston, offering access to a talented workforce and a vibrant metropolitan area.

Workspace Context:

• Expect a collaborative studio environment where designers work closely together and interact frequently with product managers and other internal teams.

• Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially specialized hardware for design and sample review will be provided.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is likely Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week.

• Given the "Close to Market" nature and emphasis on hot market deadlines, occasional overtime or flexible hours may be necessary to meet critical project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, essential for rapid design iterations and team synergy within a production-focused environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing relevant work. This will likely be followed by a technical interview focusing on Adobe Illustrator skills, production art techniques, and problem-solving scenarios.

• Team/Manager Interview: An interview with the CTM Manager and potentially other team members to evaluate collaboration style, understanding of the CTM process, and overall suitability for the team dynamic.

• Final Interview/Offer: Potential final interviews with higher-level management, followed by a job offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest projects that directly align with the job description, emphasizing apparel/headwear graphics, production art, and quick turnaround examples.

• Highlight Production Details: For each project, clearly explain your role, the tools used (e.g., Adobe Illustrator), the challenges faced (e.g., tight deadlines, licensing constraints), and the final output.

• Showcase Quality Control: Include examples where you had to ensure accuracy, manage revisions, or meet strict quality standards.

• Quantify Achievements: If possible, mention the impact of your work, such as meeting aggressive launch dates or successfully navigating complex licensing requirements.

• Be Ready to Draw: Prepare for a potential live design exercise or to discuss your process for creating specific graphics on the spot.

Challenge Preparation:

• Illustrator Proficiency: Practice common Illustrator tasks like logo vectorization, color adjustments, applying patterns, and preparing files for print.

• Design Scenarios: Think about how you would approach a request to create artwork for a specific sports team's hat or t-shirt, considering league rules.

• Problem-Solving: Be ready to discuss how you've handled production bottlenecks, difficult client feedback, or complex licensing issues in the past.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and technical skills in Adobe Illustrator is paramount. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate their practical abilities and their understanding of the production workflow in the apparel and sports licensing industry.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: This is the core software for this role, essential for creating vector graphics, manipulating logos, and preparing artwork for production. Advanced proficiency is expected.

• Adobe Photoshop: Likely used for image manipulation, texture application, or preparing raster elements for integration into vector designs.

• Mac Operating System: The role explicitly mentions Mac platform experience, indicating that the company's primary workstation environment is macOS.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• MS Office Suite: Proficiency in Word for documentation, Excel for basic tracking or data entry, and Outlook for communication is expected.

• Internal Systems: The company likely uses internal project management or asset management systems for tracking requests and artwork. The mention of an "artist dashboard" suggests a proprietary or specialized system for managing licensing revisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator on a Mac platform is non-negotiable. Familiarity with MS Office is also a stated requirement. The specific "artist dashboard" will likely be covered during onboarding.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Speed & Efficiency: A core value for the CTM team, enabling rapid response to market demands and quick product fulfillment.

• Accuracy & Quality: Ensuring all artwork and final products meet stringent brand, licensing, and production standards.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across departments (Design, Product, Licensing, Manufacturing) to achieve collective goals.

• Adaptability: The ability to quickly adjust to changing trends, customer requests, and licensing updates.

• Detail-Oriented: A commitment to meticulous review and execution to avoid errors in design and production.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role demands close interaction with various teams, requiring clear communication and a proactive approach to information sharing.

• Feedback Loops: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback on designs, artwork, and production processes.

• Team-Oriented: A focus on collective success, where individual contributions support the team's ability to meet demanding production schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely fast-paced and deadline-driven, prioritizing efficient execution and accuracy in a collaborative environment. Candidates should be prepared for a dynamic workflow where teamwork is essential for success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High Volume Production: Managing a continuous stream of artwork requests and revisions while maintaining high quality.

• Tight Deadlines: Consistently meeting aggressive turnaround times for hot market products and key accounts.

• Licensing Compliance: Navigating complex and ever-changing licensing guidelines from various sports leagues.

• Balancing Creativity and Production: Fulfilling specific design briefs and brand requirements while ensuring manufacturability and speed.

• Remote Collaboration (if applicable): Effectively communicating and collaborating with team members and manufacturers when not physically co-located, though this role is on-site.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge of apparel and headwear design, production techniques, and the sports licensing market.

• Software Skills: Enhance proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and potentially other design or production tools.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to optimizing the CTM workflow for greater efficiency and accuracy.

• Cross-Functional Understanding: Gain insights into product management, sales cycles, and licensing strategies within the apparel industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around speed, volume, and accuracy in a production-focused creative role. Growth opportunities lie in mastering these aspects and potentially expanding into broader design or specialized production roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a design concept from initial brief to final production-ready artwork for apparel or headwear."

• "How do you prioritize multiple, urgent production art requests with competing deadlines?"

• "Walk us through a time you had to ensure strict adherence to complex licensing guidelines. What was your approach?"

• "How do you ensure the quality and accuracy of your work, especially when dealing with high volumes?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about New Era Cap and specifically the 'Close to Market' function?"

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or revisions on your artwork?"

• "What is your understanding of the sports apparel and headwear market?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each portfolio piece, tell a brief story about the project: the goal, your role, the creative/production process, the challenges, and the successful outcome.

• Technical Focus: Be ready to discuss the specific tools and techniques used in Adobe Illustrator. If asked to demonstrate, be confident and clear.

• Process Emphasis: Highlight your workflow, how you manage revisions, and your quality control measures.

• Enthusiasm for Brand: Show genuine interest in New Era's products and the sports industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to demonstrate both your creative and technical skills, focusing on your ability to execute efficiently and accurately within the specific context of sports apparel and headwear production.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this CTM Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided ADP link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with Adobe Illustrator, production art, apparel/headwear graphics, and any relevant licensing knowledge. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Managed X number of artwork requests per week").

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest, most relevant work that showcases production art capabilities, adherence to guidelines, and ability to work efficiently. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., a professional website or PDF).

• Prepare for Technical Assessment: Be ready for a hands-on exercise or discussion about your Adobe Illustrator skills and production art processes.

• Research New Era: Familiarize yourself with New Era's product lines, brand history, and key sports league partnerships. Understand the "Close to Market" concept and its importance.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.