Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: Centric Brands

Location: New York, NY

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Design & Product Development Operations

Date Posted: April 30, 2026

Experience Level: 8-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Oversee the end-to-end seasonal design development process for the sock category, ensuring alignment with market trends, sales objectives, and brand strategy.

• Lead and mentor a team of designers, fostering a collaborative environment focused on innovation, creativity, and operational efficiency in design execution.

• Drive product innovation by conducting thorough trend research, competitive analysis, and concept development, translating insights into commercially viable product lines for key retail partners.

• Manage the product lifecycle from conceptualization through to delivery, ensuring timely execution of the product development calendar and adherence to quality and cost targets.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a large, established lifestyle brand collective, implying a need for strong process adherence, cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Production, and Technical Design teams, and a data-driven approach to design decisions. The "Design Ops team" mentioned suggests a dedicated operational support function that this role will likely interact with closely, requiring an understanding of workflow management and process optimization within a design context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive the seasonal design development process from concept ideation to final delivery, supervising a team of designers to create original, trend-appropriate designs that meet market needs and sales objectives.

• Conduct comprehensive market and trend research, including competitive analysis, to identify key opportunities and inform the creation of concept boards, mock-ups, and inspirational presentations.

• Develop and oversee the creation of initial seasonal design concepts, ensuring they align with the overarching assortment strategy and cost structure, and collaborate with the sales team to devise effective style plans.

• Manage the execution of the product development calendar, ensuring all timelines are met, and coordinate with other design teams to maintain brand cohesiveness and a consistent look across different categories.

• Lead the design team in troubleshooting and resolving quality and technical issues that arise during the product development process, ensuring high standards are maintained.

• Supervise the creation of technical sketches in Adobe Illustrator and approve specification sheets and line sheets, ensuring accuracy and completeness.

• Review product development logs, line sheets, and concept boards for consistency and adherence to brand standards and licensor directives.

• Approve raw materials, trims, lab dips (ensuring color consistency), and prints/graphics, maintaining strict quality control and brand integrity.

• Partner closely with the internal Design Operations team to ensure smooth workflow execution and identify opportunities for process improvements and automation.

• Direct interoffice communication and follow-up with internal and external customers, including suppliers, vendors, production, and technical design teams, fostering strong working relationships.

• Contribute positively to team dynamics, manage upward communication effectively, and actively participate in attracting, developing, and retaining design talent.

• Monitor and evaluate the performance of individual team members and the overall design team, providing constructive feedback and performance management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative leadership and operational oversight. The "Design Ops team" interaction is critical, indicating the need for a candidate who can not only design but also manage processes, workflows, and cross-functional dependencies efficiently. The focus on "performance brands" like Merrell, Spyder, and CAT suggests a need for understanding technical apparel requirements alongside aesthetic design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design or Graphic Design.

Experience: 8-10 years of experience in apparel design, with a strong preference for experience specifically within the socks/hosiery division.

Required Skills:

• Superior organizational skills and excellent communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.

• Proven ability to multi-task, manage competing priorities, and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced setting.

• High level of detail orientation, meticulousness, and creativity.

• Strong ability to sketch in Adobe Illustrator.

• Extensive knowledge of licensed accessories, with a deep understanding of knit execution, including common silhouettes, colorways, fabrication, and trim applications.

• Familiarity with circular knitting processes and novelty trim application techniques.

• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).

Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience with performance brands and their specific design and technical requirements.

• Familiarity with global sourcing and manufacturing processes for apparel.

• Understanding of cost engineering and its impact on design decisions.

• Experience in managing and developing junior design staff.

• Knowledge of sustainability best practices in apparel design and production.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "knitted execution," "circular knitting," and "novelty trim application" points to a highly specialized technical skill set required for sock design. The preference for "sock experience" and "performance brands" indicates that candidates with this niche expertise will be strongly favored. The mention of "licensor directives" implies experience working with brand guidelines and ensuring compliance.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a strong track record in apparel design, with a significant emphasis on sock and hosiery collections.

• Demonstrations of seasonal design concept development, including mood boards, trend research, and initial sketches.

• Examples of technical sketches created in Adobe Illustrator, clearly illustrating design details, construction, and material specifications.

• Case studies detailing the product development process from concept to final sample, highlighting problem-solving and decision-making throughout.

• Visual evidence of collaboration with technical design and production teams, showcasing how designs were translated into manufacturable products.

Process Documentation:

• The ability to articulate and demonstrate a structured approach to seasonal design planning and execution, including calendar management and milestone tracking.

• Documentation or case studies illustrating how quality control measures were implemented and maintained for raw materials, trims, and finished goods.

• Examples of process optimization within a design team, such as improved workflow for sketch creation, spec sheet development, or sample review.

• Evidence of effective communication processes with internal teams (Sales, Production, Tech) and external partners (vendors, suppliers, licensors).

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio should not just showcase aesthetic creativity but also a deep understanding of the operational aspects of design. This includes demonstrating the ability to manage complex workflows, collaborate effectively across departments, and ensure product quality and manufacturability within specific cost and timeline constraints. A strong emphasis on technical execution and process management will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $130,000 - $140,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• 401(k) plan with company matching contributions.

• Summer Fridays, offering a shorter workday or day off during summer months.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy.

• Merchandise discounts on Centric Brands products.

• Opportunities for career development and professional growth.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with a hybrid work arrangement that balances in-office collaboration with remote flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated salary range of $130,000 - $140,000 is competitive for a Design Director role with 8-10 years of experience in a major metropolitan area like New York City, especially within the apparel industry. This range reflects the strategic importance and leadership responsibilities of the position, including team management and significant impact on product strategy. The benefits package is standard for a large corporation and includes attractive perks like Summer Fridays and merchandise discounts.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Apparel, Accessories, Entertainment, and Beauty. Centric Brands operates as a significant player in the lifestyle brand collective market, known for its diverse portfolio and focus on customer-centric growth and innovation.

Company Size: Centric Brands is a large organization, indicated by its extensive operations, multiple brands, and robust benefits package. This size implies structured processes, opportunities for cross-functional collaboration, and potential for career advancement within a corporate framework.

Founded: Centric Brands was founded in 1972, bringing decades of experience and established market presence. This longevity suggests stability, a deep understanding of industry dynamics, and a well-defined operational infrastructure.

Team Structure:

• The Design team, specifically for socks, is likely a specialized unit within a larger design department. It will include a team of designers reporting to the Design Director.

• This role necessitates close collaboration with Technical Design, Production, Sales, Merchandising, and the dedicated Design Operations team.

Methodology:

• Centric Brands emphasizes innovation, analytical thinking, and creativity. The design process is informed by customer focus, market trends, and sales data.

• Workflow planning and optimization are critical, especially with the mention of a "Design Ops team," suggesting a structured approach to managing the design pipeline efficiently.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely integrated where possible, particularly in aspects like digital sketching, specification management, and communication flows.

Company Website: http://www.centricbrands.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on being a "lifestyle brand collective" and its focus on "innovation" and "customer-centricity" suggest a dynamic yet structured environment. The mention of "analytical and outside the box thinking" points to a culture that values both data-driven decision-making and creative problem-solving. For operations professionals, this means opportunities to optimize processes within a large framework while contributing to innovative product development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a senior leadership level within the design function, specifically "Design Director." It signifies a move beyond individual contribution to managing a team, strategic planning, and significant operational oversight for a key product category. It requires a blend of creative vision and robust process management.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director will report to a higher-level executive, likely a VP of Design or Chief Creative Officer. They will directly manage a team of designers, acting as a crucial link between creative ideation and the operational execution required for product realization.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's impact is substantial, directly influencing revenue through the creation of commercially successful and trend-relevant sock collections. By ensuring efficient design processes, managing costs, and maintaining quality, they contribute significantly to the profitability and market competitiveness of Centric Brands' performance and licensed brands.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into a VP of Design role, overseeing broader product categories or multiple brands within Centric Brands.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the overall design strategy for the hosiery division and influence product assortment across various performance brands.

• Process Optimization Leadership: Potential to lead initiatives to further refine the Design Operations function, driving greater efficiency and innovation in the design-to-production pipeline.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Exposure to and potential leadership roles in cross-functional teams focused on product innovation, market strategy, and brand development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth into broader design leadership or specialized operational management within a large corporation. The focus on team management, strategic planning, and operational efficiency aligns with typical career progression for senior operations and design professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid role, indicating a mix of in-office work and remote flexibility. The New York City office, located at 350 5th Avenue (Empire State Building), is a prestigious and central business location, suggesting a professional and dynamic office environment.

Office Location(s): Primary office is in New York City, NY. The company also has other locations, but this role is based in NYC.

Workspace Context:

• The NYC office is likely a hub for creative and strategic operations, fostering collaboration among design, sales, merchandising, and production teams.

• Expect access to industry-standard design software and hardware (Adobe Creative Suite, Mac computers), and potentially a creative environment with sample libraries and trend resources.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with design teams, leadership, and cross-functional partners will be prevalent during in-office days, facilitating idea exchange and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with an approximate 40-hour work week. The hybrid arrangement allows for flexibility, but in-office days are expected to be utilized for collaborative activities, team meetings, and critical decision-making sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role, combined with a prime NYC location, suggests a modern work environment that balances the need for in-person collaboration and team cohesion with individual work flexibility. Operations professionals in such roles often benefit from structured in-office days for strategic planning and team alignment, with remote days for focused execution and deep work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and resumes, focusing on relevant experience in apparel design, specifically socks, and technical skills (Adobe Illustrator, trend research).

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will be asked to present their design portfolio, highlighting their creative process, technical capabilities, and experience with knit execution and product development for socks. This stage will assess their ability to translate trends into commercially viable products and manage the design lifecycle.

• Hiring Manager Interview: This interview will delve deeper into leadership style, team management experience, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills related to design operations. Expect questions about managing designers, resolving technical issues, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Sales, Production, and Technical Design to assess collaboration skills, understanding of business needs, and ability to integrate design with operational realities.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership (e.g., VP of Design) to discuss overall vision, cultural fit, and long-term strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase 3-5 distinct projects that best represent your expertise in sock design, knit execution, and trend translation. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate your role, the problem statement, your creative process, the technical challenges overcome, and the final outcome (e.g., sales performance, market reception).

• Emphasize Operations: Demonstrate how you managed timelines, collaborated with technical and production teams, addressed cost constraints, and ensured quality. Use specific examples.

• Showcase Technical Skills: Include examples of detailed Adobe Illustrator sketches, spec sheets, and any relevant CAD work. Explain your understanding of knit construction and trim applications.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data to illustrate the success of your designs (e.g., "This collection contributed to a 15% increase in sock sales for Brand X").

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge or case study that requires you to develop concepts for a specific brand or trend within a limited timeframe.

• Practice articulating your design rationale, considering market needs, target audience, cost implications, and manufacturability.

• Prepare to present your ideas clearly and concisely, anticipating questions about your approach and decision-making process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "Design Ops team" and the need to coordinate across departments suggests that interviewers will be looking for candidates who understand the operational mechanics of design. Your portfolio and interview responses should clearly demonstrate an ability to manage processes, collaborate effectively, and deliver results within a structured, large-company environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for creating original design sketches, technical flats, and print/pattern development. Proficiency in vector graphics and detailed illustration is a must.

• Adobe Photoshop: Used for creating mood boards, color palettes, mock-ups, and manipulating imagery for presentations.

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • Excel: For managing line sheets, tracking product development status, analyzing sales data, and managing budgets.
  • PowerPoint: Crucial for creating compelling presentations for internal reviews, sales meetings, and external retail partner presentations.
  • Word: For creating specification sheets and other documentation.

• Mac Computers: The standard operating system for design work in the industry.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly a data analyst role, familiarity with sales data and reporting tools (e.g., internal reporting dashboards, Excel-based analytics) will be beneficial for understanding market trends and informing design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems is often beneficial in apparel design, though not explicitly mentioned. These systems help manage product data, specifications, and workflows.

• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) could be advantageous for managing team workflows and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator, is non-negotiable. The mention of a "Design Ops team" implies that the candidate will need to work within established systems and processes, potentially including PLM or project management tools, to ensure efficient workflow and data integrity.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: Centric Brands values seizing new opportunities and thinking "outside the box" while maintaining a strong focus on customer needs and brand growth.

• Respect: A culture built on mutual respect for colleagues and the hard work required to achieve collective goals.

• Customer & People Centricity: Placing a high value on understanding and serving the customer, and recognizing employees as valuable team members.

• Analytical & Creative Thinking: A balance of data-driven decision-making and creative problem-solving is encouraged.

• Quality & Efficiency: A commitment to high-quality products and efficient processes is implied through the mention of technical issues, price points, and collaboration with production teams.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Strong emphasis on partnering with Sales, Production, Technical Design, and the Design Operations team to ensure cohesive product development and timely delivery.

• Vendor Partnership: Building and managing collaborative relationships with external suppliers and vendors is essential for sourcing materials and manufacturing.

• Team-Oriented: The role requires contributing positively to team dynamics, managing upward, and fostering talent within the design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values suggest a culture that is both creative and results-oriented, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and professional respect. For an operations-minded candidate, this means understanding how to integrate creative processes within a structured, collaborative, and customer-focused business framework.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Commercial Viability: Continuously creating innovative designs that are also commercially successful, meet cost targets, and align with brand directives for performance and licensed products.

• Managing a Diverse Brand Portfolio: Adapting design strategies and aesthetics to suit the specific needs and target markets of various performance brands (Merrell, Spyder, CAT, Twisted X).

• Navigating Complex Supply Chains: Overseeing design elements that are manufacturable at scale, managing raw material sourcing, and ensuring quality control with global vendors.

• Leading and Developing a Design Team: Motivating and guiding designers, fostering their growth, and ensuring consistent output and adherence to standards within a hybrid work environment.

• Process Optimization: Collaborating with the Design Ops team to continuously improve workflows, reduce lead times, and enhance efficiency in the design-to-delivery cycle.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Technical Design: Deepening knowledge in specific knit constructions, material science, and technical execution for performance apparel.

• Brand Strategy: Gaining deeper insights into the strategic positioning and market dynamics of Centric Brands' diverse portfolio of performance and licensed brands.

• Leadership Development: Formal training or mentorship opportunities focused on people management, strategic planning, and cross-functional leadership.

• Industry Trends & Innovation: Staying ahead of emerging trends in fashion, technology, and sustainability within the apparel and footwear industries.

• Process Improvement Leadership: Opportunities to lead or contribute significantly to projects aimed at optimizing the design operations pipeline.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dual nature of the role – creative leadership combined with operational execution. Growth opportunities are geared towards expanding strategic influence, deepening technical expertise, and developing leadership capabilities within a large corporate structure.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a seasonal design collection for a performance brand, from initial trend research to final sample approval." (Focus on structured approach, data integration, and cross-functional collaboration.)

• "How would you manage a team of designers with varying levels of experience and creative styles, ensuring both individual growth and cohesive team output?" (Highlight leadership, mentorship, and conflict resolution skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Centric Brands and our portfolio of performance brands like Merrell and Spyder?" (Research the brands and their market positioning.)

• "How do you align your creative vision with sales objectives and market demands?" (Showcase your understanding of the commercial aspects of design.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the brand, the objective, your role, the challenges, your solutions, and the outcome.

• Highlight Technical & Operational Aspects: Emphasize your understanding of knit execution, material properties, trim applications, and the entire product development lifecycle.

• Showcase Illustrator Proficiency: Be ready to walk through specific sketches, explaining details of construction, measurements, and material call-outs.

• Quantify Achievements: Use data (sales impact, cost savings, efficiency improvements) to support the success of your designs.

• Demonstrate Leadership: If applicable, discuss how you guided junior designers or collaborated with other teams to bring concepts to life.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect questions that test your understanding of the entire product lifecycle, from creative concept to operational execution and market success. Your ability to articulate your design process with an operational lens, demonstrating a strong grasp of technical details and cross-functional collaboration, will be critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the Centric Brands careers site at https://careers-centricbrands.icims.com/jobs/23076/design-director/job.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in apparel design, specifically sock/hosiery design, knit execution, technical design, team leadership, and proficiency with Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Office. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a strong portfolio showcasing your best work in sock design, emphasizing trend research, concept development, technical sketches (Illustrator), and your understanding of the entire product development process. Be ready to discuss your process and results in detail.

• Research Centric Brands: Familiarize yourself with Centric Brands' company mission, values, and its portfolio of performance brands (Merrell, Spyder, CAT, Twisted X). Understand their market positioning and target audiences.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and answering common interview questions, focusing on demonstrating your creative vision, technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and understanding of operational aspects of design.

⚠️ 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.