Design Manager, Outerwear - Calvin Klein

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager, Outerwear

Company: Calvin Klein (PVH Corp.)

Location: New York, NY, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Design Operations / Product Development

Date Posted: 2026-08-18

Experience Level: 8-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for translating global design concepts into commercially viable outerwear products for the North American market, focusing on execution and adaptation.

• It involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Merchandising, Technical Design, and Product Development, to ensure product aligns with brand aesthetics and business objectives.

• The Design Manager will be responsible for managing product updates, ensuring design accuracy, and maintaining seasonal timelines and margin goals.

• This position requires a strong understanding of garment construction, materials, and color theory within the context of outerwear fashion.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Manager," the core responsibilities and context provided lean heavily into product development and execution within a design framework. This role is less about setting broad design strategy and more about bringing pre-defined concepts to market efficiently. The "Operations" aspect comes from the rigorous process management, cross-functional coordination, and adherence to timelines and financial targets inherent in bringing a product to life.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Assist the Design Director in interpreting and implementing seasonal concepts, color palettes, and key item direction for outerwear collections.

• Adapt and refine global (EU) design direction and curated styles for the North American consumer, ensuring commercial viability and brand alignment.

• Create cohesive product groups through detailed illustrations, demonstrating an understanding of color theory, materials, garment construction, and the Calvin Klein brand identity.

• Manage multiple product development cycles simultaneously, balancing in-season execution with forward-looking concept development.

• Coordinate with Merchandising, Technical Design, and Product Development teams to gather necessary information (samples, artwork, cost data) and update designs to meet aesthetic and margin targets.

• Develop precise technical drawings for tech packs and ensure data accuracy in Bills of Materials (BOMs) within the PLM system (Centric).

• Manage ongoing updates and communication with Product Development (PD) partners and vendors to ensure design integrity throughout the manufacturing process.

• Drive opportunities to align fabric and trim selections across different sales channels where applicable, optimizing for cost and brand consistency.

• Maintain an organized library of artwork updates and CAD files, ensuring style and color accuracy across all relevant systems and presentations.

• Participate actively in garment fittings, collaborating with Technical Design to ensure that the fit intent and construction quality meet established standards.

• Review and approve critical development materials, including lab dips, handlooms, wash panels, and pre-production (PP) samples, as well as additional colorways.

• Attend and contribute to development and post-prototype meetings, ensuring all feedback is accurately documented, communicated, and actioned by the relevant teams.

• Proactively manage adherence to key calendar milestones, identifying and resolving potential delays to maintain project timelines.

• Prepare and deliver compelling design boards and product reviews to leadership and cross-functional teams, effectively communicating design intent and product details.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong need for process adherence, detailed documentation, and cross-functional communication, which are hallmarks of operational excellence within a creative field. The emphasis on PLM systems and managing updates points to a structured, operations-driven approach to design execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 8-10 years of dedicated experience in outerwear design, with a proven track record in apparel product development.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency in the outerwear design process, from concept to commercialization.

• Advanced skills in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop for creating technical drawings, illustrations, and visual presentations.

• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Excel for data analysis, cost tracking, and BOM management.

• Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, specifically Centric PLM, for managing product data and workflows.

• Strong understanding of garment construction techniques specific to outerwear.

• Solid grasp of color theory and its application in seasonal collections.

• Experience in creating detailed technical drawings and comprehensive tech packs.

• Proven ability to manage and update product information accurately within PLM systems.

• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for clear interaction with cross-functional teams and vendors.

• Ability to work both collaboratively in a team environment and independently with minimal supervision.

• A proactive and solution-oriented mindset, essential for adapting to changing business needs. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Miro or similar digital whiteboarding tools for collaborative ideation and workflow mapping.

• Familiarity with trend forecasting and market analysis to inform design decisions.

• Understanding of fabric and trim sourcing and their impact on cost and quality.

• Experience in preparing and presenting design concepts and product lines to senior leadership.

• Knowledge of international fashion markets and design influences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for specific software like Centric PLM, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Excel, alongside a strong emphasis on technical drawings and BOM accuracy, clearly indicates a role that requires operational rigor and proficiency in digital tools essential for modern product development workflows. The "8-10 years" experience level suggests a manager or senior individual contributor role where operational execution is paramount.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 comprehensive outerwear product development projects, detailing the entire lifecycle from initial concept to final production.

• Include examples of technical drawings, tech packs, BOMs, and any PLM system screenshots (if permissible) that demonstrate your ability to manage product data accurately.

• Present case studies that highlight your role in adapting global designs for a specific market (e.g., North America), including rationale for any modifications made.

• Demonstrate experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams (Merchandising, Tech Design, PD) and how you managed communication and feedback loops.

• Provide examples of how you ensured design accuracy, met margin targets, and adhered to seasonal timelines for your projects. Process Documentation:

• Prepare a section within your portfolio that outlines your process for creating and managing tech packs and BOMs, emphasizing data integrity and efficiency.

• Include a workflow example of how you handle sample reviews (lab dips, handlooms, PP samples) and approvals, detailing your communication strategy with vendors and internal teams.

• Document your approach to managing artwork updates and CAD files, ensuring consistency across all systems and presentations.

• Showcase an example of how you managed a product update or adaptation for a specific market, detailing the steps taken and the outcome.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, a portfolio is critical. It should not just display aesthetic talent but also the operational discipline required to bring designs to market. Emphasis should be placed on process, system utilization (PLM), cross-functional collaboration, and quantifiable results (meeting targets).

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $104,500 - $141,200 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Pay & Insurance: Competitive base salary, bonus program eligibility, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance, life insurance, and disability insurance.

• Retirement Savings: Above-market 401(k) contribution to support retirement savings.

• Work-Life Balance: Generous company-paid holidays, paid time off (PTO), hybrid working arrangements, seasonal hours, and flexible work schedules to promote work-life integration.

• Wellbeing Support: Access to wellbeing tools and programs including a Headspace membership, reimbursement for fitness memberships and/or digital meditation subscriptions, and rewards for healthy activities.

• Family & Care Support: Care.com services for childcare, elder care, pet care, and reimbursement for backup care.

• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement to support continued education and skill enhancement.

• Associate Discount: Discount on company products purchased through company outlets and e-commerce sites.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with potential for extended hours during peak development cycles. The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility in scheduling within this framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is within typical market rates for a Design Manager with 8-10 years of experience in the fashion industry in a major metropolitan area like New York City. The benefits package is comprehensive, aligning with what large corporations like PVH typically offer to attract and retain talent. The "bonus eligible" status is a key component of total compensation in many design and product development roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fashion Apparel & Retail. Calvin Klein is a global lifestyle brand known for its modern, minimalist aesthetic and iconic marketing. PVH Corp. is a multinational apparel and footwear company that owns a portfolio of well-known brands.

Company Size: PVH Corp. is a large, publicly traded company. As of recent data, it employs over 19,000 associates globally. This size implies structured processes, established career paths, and significant resources.

Founded: Calvin Klein was founded in 1968. PVH Corp. has a longer history, tracing its roots back to 1881. This long-standing presence indicates stability and deep industry expertise.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will likely be part of a larger Design department for Calvin Klein Outerwear, potentially reporting to a Design Director or Head of Outerwear Design.

• This team will collaborate extensively with Merchandising, Technical Design, Product Development, and potentially Sales and Marketing teams.

• Given the hybrid work model, expect a mix of in-person and remote collaboration, requiring strong digital communication tools and practices. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design Execution: The role emphasizes adapting global direction and using curated styles, suggesting a data-informed approach rather than purely speculative design.

• Process Optimization: The job description explicitly mentions utilizing creative problem-solving to evolve processes for efficiency and agility, a core tenet of operations.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Success hinges on seamless collaboration and communication across departments to ensure timely and accurate product delivery.

Company Website: https://www.pvh.com/ and https://www.calvinklein.us/

📝 Enhancement Note: The context of working for a major global brand like Calvin Klein under PVH Corp. suggests a highly structured environment with established processes and a strong emphasis on brand consistency and commercial success. The "Design Manager" title, within this corporate structure, implies a significant operational component focused on execution and process management.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level Design Manager. It requires significant experience (8-10 years) and the ability to manage complex projects and cross-functional relationships. It's a key executional role focused on bringing design vision to market, bridging the gap between creative direction and tangible product.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager likely reports to a Design Director or Head of Outerwear Design. They will manage their own workload and projects, and potentially mentor junior designers or assistants if the team structure includes them. The role demands strong collaboration with peers in Merchandising, Technical Design, and Product Development.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's impact is directly tied to the commercial success of the outerwear collection. By ensuring designs are adapted effectively for the market, meet margin targets, and are developed accurately and on time, they contribute significantly to revenue generation and profitability. Efficient process management by this role prevents costly delays and product issues that can negatively affect sales and brand reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to advance to Senior Design Manager, Design Director, or Head of Design roles within Calvin Klein or other PVH brands, managing larger teams and broader product categories.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in outerwear design, materials, and technical development, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into roles within Product Development, Merchandising, or even Brand Management, leveraging their understanding of the product lifecycle.

• Global Exposure: With Calvin Klein's global presence, there may be opportunities to contribute to or gain experience with international market adaptations and strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a critical node in the product development pipeline. Its "operations" aspect lies in the meticulous execution, process adherence, and cross-functional coordination required to translate creative concepts into profitable products. Growth potential is strong, especially for those who demonstrate operational excellence alongside design acumen.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in a Calvin Klein office in New York City, operating under a hybrid work arrangement. This typically means a professional office setting with designated workspaces, meeting rooms, and collaborative areas.

Office Location(s): New York, NY, Calvin Klein Office. This location places the role within a major global fashion hub, offering access to industry resources, events, and talent.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model necessitates a focus on effective collaboration, likely utilizing shared workspaces, meeting rooms for team syncs, and digital collaboration tools for remote interaction.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard office technology, including high-performance computers for design software (Illustrator, Photoshop), PLM systems (Centric), and communication platforms.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for interaction with design colleagues, cross-functional partners (Merchandising, Technical Design, PD), and potentially leadership during reviews and fittings.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule (approx. 40 hours/week) is expected, with flexibility offered through the hybrid model. However, the fast-paced nature of fashion development means occasional extended hours may be required to meet critical deadlines, particularly during seasonal pushes or product launches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment suggests a modern approach to workplace flexibility, balanced with the need for in-person collaboration essential for design and product development. The New York City location is a significant advantage for networking and staying abreast of industry trends.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Design Director or Hiring Manager focusing on your design experience, process knowledge, and understanding of outerwear. Be prepared to discuss your portfolio in detail.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key partners from Merchandising, Technical Design, and Product Development to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate into their workflows.

• Design Challenge/Presentation: You may be asked to present a portfolio review or a specific design exercise that demonstrates your ability to interpret direction, adapt designs, and articulate your process.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss overall fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select outerwear projects that best showcase your experience with product adaptation, technical execution, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate your role, the challenges faced, the processes you followed (especially PLM and tech pack creation), and the solutions implemented.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics related to meeting margin goals, adhering to timelines, or successful product launches.

• Showcase Software Proficiency: Ensure your technical drawings and CADs demonstrate strong skills in Illustrator and Photoshop.

• Adaptation Examples: Include specific examples of how you translated global concepts into market-specific designs, explaining your rationale.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether digital or physical.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Familiarize yourself with Calvin Klein's current aesthetic, target consumer, and recent outerwear collections.

• Practice Articulation: Be ready to clearly explain your design process, decision-making rationale, and how you collaborate with other departments.

• PLM & Tech Pack Focus: Be prepared to discuss your experience with PLM systems and the intricacies of creating accurate tech packs.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you handle conflicting feedback, tight deadlines, or unexpected production issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio and process in this role means candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just creative vision but also operational discipline and technical proficiency. A strong portfolio is key to navigating the interview process successfully.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for creating technical flats, illustrations, and design layouts. Proficiency at an advanced level is expected.

• Adobe Photoshop: Used for mood boards, color palette creation, rendering, and visual presentations.

• Centric PLM: This is a critical requirement. Candidates must be proficient in using PLM systems for managing product data, BOMs, tech packs, and tracking development progress.

• Microsoft Excel: Required for data analysis, cost tracking, creating BOM summaries, and managing project details.

• Miro (or similar): Useful for collaborative brainstorming, creating mood boards, and visualizing workflows, especially in a hybrid environment.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, understanding how to pull and interpret basic data from PLM or sales reports to inform design decisions will be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design-focused role, but understanding how design data flows into wider CRM or ERP systems may be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in specific design and PLM software is non-negotiable. Centric PLM is explicitly mentioned, making it a key skill to highlight. The ability to use these tools efficiently directly impacts the operational success of the design process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Efficiency & Agility: A drive to streamline processes, adapt quickly to changes, and deliver results on time, reflecting a strong operational mindset.

• Collaboration & Communication: A commitment to working effectively with cross-functional partners, ensuring clear and consistent information flow.

• Accuracy & Detail: A focus on meticulous data management, precise technical specifications, and high-quality output in all design-related tasks.

• Brand Integrity: Dedication to upholding Calvin Klein's brand aesthetic and quality standards in all product development efforts.

• Solution-Oriented: Approaching challenges with a proactive, problem-solving attitude, seeking efficient and effective resolutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where design is deeply integrated with Merchandising, Technical Design, and Product Development from concept through production.

• Feedback Loops: A culture that values constructive feedback and open dialogue to refine designs and processes, ensuring alignment across teams.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights on trends, materials, and processes to foster collective growth and efficiency within the design and development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values, as implied by the job description, lean heavily towards operational excellence within a creative context. The emphasis on "evolving processes for more efficiency, agility, and growth" and a "solution-oriented mindset" are key indicators of the desired operational culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global Direction with Local Market Needs: Effectively translating overarching global design strategies into outerwear that resonates with the North American consumer while meeting specific market demands.

• Managing Multiple Seasons Simultaneously: The fast-paced fashion industry requires juggling in-season execution, current development cycles, and forward-looking concepting, demanding strong organizational and time management skills.

• Cross-Functional Alignment in a Hybrid Environment: Ensuring seamless communication and collaboration with diverse teams (Merchandising, Tech Design, PD) in a hybrid work setting, where spontaneous interactions are less frequent.

• Meeting Margin Targets: Integrating cost considerations early in the design process without compromising aesthetic intent or quality, a common challenge in apparel development.

• Adhering to Tight Timelines: The fashion calendar is relentless; meeting all development milestones and launch dates requires proactive planning and efficient execution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepening Outerwear Expertise: Gaining specialized knowledge in technical outerwear construction, advanced materials, and performance features.

• PLM System Mastery: Becoming an expert user of Centric PLM and potentially other integrated systems within PVH.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Developing a comprehensive understanding of the entire product lifecycle, from merchandising strategy to manufacturing challenges.

• Leadership Skills: Enhancing management and mentorship capabilities, particularly within a hybrid team structure.

• Industry Trend Immersion: Staying ahead of fashion and outerwear trends through market research, trade shows, and internal trend forecasting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented highlight the operational complexities of the fashion industry. Successfully navigating these requires a blend of design sensibility and strong process management skills, offering significant opportunities for professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for adapting a global design concept for a specific market like North America. What factors do you consider, and how do you ensure commercial viability?" (Focus on market analysis, consumer understanding, and adaptation rationale.)

• "Walk me through a time you had to meet a tight deadline for a product launch. What steps did you take, how did you prioritize, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight time management, prioritization, and proactive problem-solving.)

• "How do you ensure accuracy and completeness when creating tech packs and BOMs, especially when working with PLM systems like Centric?" (Emphasize attention to detail, process adherence, and system proficiency.)

• "Describe a situation where you disagreed with a cross-functional partner (e.g., Merchandising, Tech Design) on a design decision. How did you handle it, and what was the resolution?" (Focus on communication, collaboration, and finding solutions.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about designing outerwear for Calvin Klein, and how do you see your design aesthetic aligning with the brand?" (Research Calvin Klein's current collections and brand ethos.)

• "How do you approach collaboration in a hybrid work environment, and what strategies do you use to maintain strong relationships with remote team members?" (Show understanding of hybrid work dynamics and communication tools.)

• "The job description mentions evolving processes for efficiency. Can you give an example of a process improvement you've implemented in a previous role?" (Highlight operational thinking and initiative.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenges, the steps you took (emphasizing process and systems), and the results.

• Showcase Technical Skills: Be prepared to discuss your technical drawings, CADs, and BOMs in detail, explaining your choices and ensuring accuracy.

• Highlight PLM Usage: If possible, demonstrate your understanding of how PLM systems streamline the development process, even if you can't share proprietary data.

• Focus on Collaboration: Explain how you partnered with other departments, how you incorporated feedback, and how you ensured alignment on goals.

• Quantify Success: Present any metrics or achievements that demonstrate the commercial success or efficiency of your projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize the operational aspects of the role: process management, system proficiency, cross-functional collaboration, and problem-solving within defined constraints. Your portfolio is your primary tool to demonstrate these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent design position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.

• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize your 8-10 years of outerwear design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Centric PLM, Excel, and your ability to manage product development cycles. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 strong outerwear projects that showcase your technical skills, process management (tech packs, BOMs, PLM), cross-functional collaboration, and market adaptation abilities. Prepare to walk through your portfolio with specific examples.

• Prepare for Case Studies: Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've met design and margin targets, managed timelines, and resolved challenges in product development.

• Research Calvin Klein & PVH: Understand the brand's current aesthetic, target audience, and PVH's overall mission and values to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.