Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director of Design

Company: FAM Brands

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Management / Creative Operations

Date Posted: April 03, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and elevate the design function across multiple product categories, including sportswear, women’s, and men’s sportswear, with a focus on activewear and performance apparel.

• Oversee and mentor three Design Managers, ensuring a cohesive vision, brand alignment, and executional excellence across all design initiatives.

• Drive innovation, creativity, and trend-right product development while maintaining speed, cost-efficiency, and commercial focus in a high-volume apparel manufacturing environment.

• Collaborate closely with Merchandising, Product Development, Production, Sourcing, and Marketing teams to translate business objectives into actionable design strategies and compelling product assortments.

• Maintain a deep understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and the competitive landscape to identify new opportunities for growth and category expansion.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Director of Design," the responsibilities heavily involve managing design operations, process execution, and cross-functional collaboration, aligning it closely with aspects of GTM and operational oversight within a creative department. The emphasis on "speed, cost-efficiency, and commercial focus" points towards a need for operational rigor in the design process, characteristic of Revenue Operations and Sales Operations roles that support go-to-market strategies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Development: Lead, mentor, and develop three Design Managers responsible for Sportswear, Women’s, and Men’s categories; foster a high-performance, collaborative, and accountable design culture; provide clear direction, feedback, and career development opportunities.

• Creative Direction & Brand Consistency: Define and drive the overall design vision across all product categories, ensuring consistency in brand identity, seasonal storytelling, and product aesthetics; review and approve design concepts to ensure alignment with brand strategy and customer expectations; elevate product design through trend-right innovation and competitive benchmarking.

• Product Strategy & Execution: Partner with Merchandising, Product Development, and Production teams to build compelling assortments that translate business objectives into actionable design strategies; ensure designs meet margin targets, cost constraints, and production feasibility; oversee seasonal calendars and critical design milestones for timely delivery.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with merchandising to align on assortment plans and category strategies; partner with sourcing and development teams to ensure material and construction innovation; collaborate with marketing and branding teams on campaigns, lookbooks, and product storytelling; represent design priorities and insights in leadership meetings.

• Trend & Market Insight: Maintain deep knowledge of market trends, consumer behavior, and the competitive landscape; drive innovation through research, travel, and trend forecasting; identify new opportunities for growth and category expansion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative leadership and operational execution. The "Product Strategy & Execution" and "Cross-Functional Collaboration" points highlight the need for managing design processes, timelines, and resource allocation, which are key operational functions. The focus on "margin targets, cost constraints, and production feasibility" directly links design output to commercial viability, a core concern for revenue-generating operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Fashion Merchandising, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in apparel design.

• 3–5+ years in a leadership role, specifically managing and developing multiple design teams and/or managers.

• Strong background in sportswear, activewear, or performance apparel is preferred.

Required Skills:

• Apparel Design Expertise: Proven track record in designing sportswear, activewear, and performance apparel.

• Creative Leadership: Ability to define and drive design vision, foster creativity, and ensure brand consistency.

• Team Management & Mentorship: Experience leading, mentoring, and developing design teams and managers.

• Product Lifecycle Management: Comprehensive understanding of the design process from concept to final production.

• Commercial Acumen: Demonstrated ability to balance creative vision with commercial goals, margin targets, and cost constraints.

• Strategic Planning: Ability to translate business objectives into actionable design strategies and product assortments.

• Trend Forecasting & Market Insight: Strong awareness of market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape.

• Project Management: Highly organized with strong capabilities in managing seasonal calendars and design milestones in fast-paced environments.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven experience partnering effectively with Merchandising, Product Development, Production, Sourcing, and Marketing teams.

• Communication & Influencing Skills: Strong leadership presence with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with a high-volume, fast-paced apparel manufacturer.

• Proficiency in design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite).

• Knowledge of material innovation and construction techniques in activewear.

• Experience with global sourcing and production processes.

• Ability to operate with speed, agility, and meticulous attention to detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills blend creative direction with essential operational competencies like project management, commercial acumen, and cross-functional collaboration. For operations professionals, highlighting experience in managing processes, timelines, and cross-departmental workflows will be crucial.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of successful sportswear, activewear, and performance apparel collections.

• Demonstrate a clear progression from initial concept and trend research to final product execution, including technical sketches, material selection, and proto samples.

• Highlight examples of how designs met specific commercial objectives, margin targets, or cost constraints.

• Include case studies illustrating effective collaboration with product development, merchandising, and production teams.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of established design processes that ensure brand consistency and product innovation.

• Examples of workflow management systems or methodologies used to track seasonal calendars and design milestones.

• Documentation demonstrating how design strategies were translated into feasible product assortments that met business objectives.

• Case studies on how design teams have successfully navigated production constraints and cost targets.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio is less about individual design pieces and more about demonstrating the process by which design objectives are met within a commercial and operational framework. Applicants should focus on showcasing their ability to manage design projects end-to-end, collaborate effectively, and ensure designs are both innovative and commercially viable. This aligns with the operations focus on process, efficiency, and outcome.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Director of Design role in Los Angeles with 10+ years of experience, the estimated salary range is $140,000 - $200,000 annually. This estimate accounts for the cost of living in Los Angeles and the significant leadership and operational responsibilities of the role.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Paid time off (PTO), including vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with potential company match.

• Employee discount on FAM Brands products.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training and conferences.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility often required during peak seasons or critical project deadlines. On-site presence is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research of similar Director-level design roles in the Los Angeles apparel market, considering the extensive experience and leadership requirements. Benefits are standard for a full-time position in California, with specific emphasis on professional development relevant to a leadership role in a growing company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Apparel Manufacturing and Design (Sportswear, Activewear, Men's & Women's). FAM Brands operates as a designer, manufacturer, and seller, serving major retailers, big box stores, and specialty boutiques globally. They manage a portfolio of proprietary brands including Marika, Wildfox, Three Dots, and Balance Collection, alongside licensing partnerships.

Company Size: FAM Brands designs, manufactures, and sells apparel, with a significant capacity to produce over 75 million units annually. While specific employee count isn't provided, this scale suggests a large, established operational footprint.

Founded: Founded in 2000, FAM Brands has over two decades of experience in the apparel market, establishing a strong presence and operational infrastructure.

Team Structure:

• The Design department is structured with three distinct Design Managers, each overseeing a specific category (Sportswear, Women’s, Men’s).

• The Director of Design will lead these three managers, forming a core leadership team within the design function.

• This design leadership team will work closely with Merchandising, Product Development, Production, Sourcing, Marketing, and Branding departments.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creative, the role emphasizes "commercial focus," "margin targets," and "cost-efficiency," indicating a data-informed approach to design decisions.

• Process Optimization: The need to "ensure timely delivery of all design milestones" and manage "seasonal calendars" points to a structured, process-oriented methodology for design execution.

• Agile Execution: The requirement to "operate with speed, agility, and attention to detail" suggests an adaptive and efficient operational approach within the design function.

Company Website: [FAM Brands Website URL - Placeholder as it was not provided]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a strong emphasis on operational efficiency, value-driven production (high quality at a good price), and brand portfolio management. For operations professionals, this means a workplace that likely values clear processes, measurable results, and effective cross-functional teamwork.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a senior leadership level, functioning as a Director. It requires strategic oversight of a critical business function (Design) and direct management of other managers. The "Director of Design" title encompasses significant operational responsibilities, including resource allocation, process management, and ensuring design outputs align with business objectives.

Reporting Structure: The Director of Design will report to a higher-level executive, likely a VP of Design, Chief Creative Officer, or potentially a COO, depending on the organizational structure. They will directly manage three Design Managers.

Operations Impact: The design function directly impacts revenue by creating compelling products that drive sales. This role ensures that design efforts are aligned with market demand, commercial viability (margin, cost), and production capabilities, thereby directly supporting the company's revenue generation and profitability goals. Effective design leadership is crucial for maintaining brand competitiveness and market share in the fast-paced apparel industry.

Growth Opportunities:

• Executive Leadership: Potential to advance to VP-level roles within design or operations, overseeing broader creative or product development functions.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific high-growth areas like performance activewear or sustainable design practices.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Transition into broader product leadership roles that encompass merchandising, product development, and go-to-market strategy.

• Operational Excellence: Develop and implement advanced design operations methodologies, focusing on efficiency, automation, and data integration across the product lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential within a large, established apparel company. The emphasis on managing managers and aligning creative output with commercial realities positions this role as a key operational lever for revenue and profitability.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role in Los Angeles, indicating a traditional office-based work environment. It's likely a corporate office setting where design, merchandising, and product development teams are co-located.

Office Location(s): Los Angeles, California, United States. This location is a hub for the fashion and apparel industry, offering access to talent, resources, and market insights.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with multiple departments (Merchandising, Product Development, Production, Marketing), suggesting an open and interactive workspace designed to facilitate communication and teamwork.

• Tools & Technology: Access to design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite), PLM systems (Product Lifecycle Management), and potentially digital mood board tools or 3D design software will be essential for the design team.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular team meetings, design reviews, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional project huddles.

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with an expectation of flexibility to meet business needs, especially during peak seasons or critical project deadlines. This requires a structured approach to managing workloads and prioritizing tasks effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Los Angeles suggests a dynamic and fast-paced work environment typical of the fashion industry, emphasizing collaboration and efficient workflow management.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will review applications and resumes for basic qualifications.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager (likely VP of Design or similar) to assess leadership style, experience, and cultural fit.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with the Design Managers and key stakeholders from Merchandising, Product Development, and Production to evaluate collaboration skills and strategic alignment.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session to present a curated portfolio, showcasing design leadership, process management, and commercial impact. This may include a case study on a past project.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior executive (e.g., C-suite) for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 key projects that best demonstrate your leadership, strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and ability to manage a design process from concept to execution.

• Focus on Process & Impact: For each project, explain your role, the challenges faced, the design process followed, how you collaborated with other departments, and the commercial results (e.g., sales performance, margin achievement, cost savings).

• Showcase Leadership: Highlight instances where you mentored managers, drove team performance, and influenced strategic decisions.

• Brand Alignment: Demonstrate an understanding of brand identity and how your designs supported or elevated the brand's position in the market.

• Commercial Viability: Clearly articulate how your designs met margin targets, cost constraints, and production feasibility.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss hypothetical scenarios related to managing design teams under pressure, balancing conflicting priorities, and driving innovation while meeting commercial goals.

• Consider how you would approach developing a seasonal design strategy for one of FAM Brands' proprietary brands.

• Prepare to articulate your leadership philosophy and how you foster a collaborative and high-performance design culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is critical and should highlight not just creative output but also the operational management of the design process, commercial results, and leadership capabilities. This is where operations candidates can draw parallels to their own experience in managing projects, processes, and driving business outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) is standard for technical sketches, graphic design, and presentation materials.

• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Systems: Essential for managing product data, tracking development stages, and facilitating collaboration across teams. Examples include Centric PLM, Lectra, or similar industry-specific platforms.

• Digital Mood Board & Collaboration Tools: Platforms like Miro, Pinterest Business, or specialized fashion tech tools for trend research and team collaboration.

• 3D Design Software (Potentially): While not explicitly mentioned, advanced teams may utilize tools like Browzwear or CLO 3D for prototyping and visualization.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales Data Platforms: Tools to analyze product sales performance, identify trends, and inform design decisions.

• Trend Forecasting Services: Subscriptions to services like WGSN, Fashion Snoops, or similar for market intelligence.

CRM & Automation:

• Internal Project Management Software: Tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for tracking design tasks and project timelines.

• ERP Systems: For integration with production and inventory management.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a design-focused role, proficiency with PLM systems and an understanding of how design integrates with broader ERP and sales analytics platforms are crucial for bridging the gap between creative output and operational/commercial objectives.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Efficiency & Value: FAM Brands' mission to provide "top-quality apparel accessible to everyone at an impressive value and an irresistible price" underscores a core value of operational efficiency and commercial responsibility.

• Speed & Agility: The need to operate in a "fast-paced, high-volume environment" highlights the importance of agility, quick decision-making, and efficient execution.

• Collaboration: The emphasis on partnering with Merchandising, Product Development, Production, and Marketing indicates a strong value placed on cross-functional teamwork.

• Brand Integrity: Maintaining "cohesive vision," "brand alignment," and "brand identity" across multiple brands is paramount.

• Innovation: Driving "innovation" while staying "trend-right" and "competitive" is a key driver.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Workflows: Expect a collaborative style where design is not a silo but deeply integrated with merchandising, product development, and production to ensure commercial viability and timely execution.

• Data-Informed Discussions: Design decisions will likely be informed by market data, sales performance, and margin analysis, leading to data-driven discussions with cross-functional partners.

• Feedback Loops: A culture that encourages, and perhaps requires, regular feedback exchange to refine designs and processes, ensuring alignment and continuous improvement.

• Accountability: A focus on fostering an "accountable design culture" where teams take ownership of their contributions to the product lifecycle and business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated mission and the operational demands of the role suggest a culture that values tangible results, efficiency, and strong teamwork. For operations professionals, this environment should feel familiar and align with their focus on process optimization and business impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Commercial Demands: The primary challenge is to drive innovative and trend-right designs while strictly adhering to aggressive margin targets, cost constraints, and production feasibility in a high-volume environment.

• Managing Multiple Brands & Categories: Overseeing three distinct Design Managers and ensuring brand consistency and aesthetic integrity across diverse product lines (sportswear, women's, men's) requires strong organizational and strategic leadership.

• Pace of the Apparel Industry: The fast-paced nature of fashion and activewear demands rapid trend adaptation, quick design iterations, and efficient collaboration to meet seasonal deadlines.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless communication and alignment between Design, Merchandising, Product Development, and Production can be challenging due to differing priorities and perspectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Operations Management: Opportunity to refine and implement advanced design operations strategies, focusing on process automation, data integration, and efficiency gains across the product lifecycle.

• Executive Presence & Influence: Develop stronger executive communication and stakeholder management skills through regular interaction with senior leadership and cross-functional partners.

• Brand Portfolio Strategy: Gain deeper insights into brand management and portfolio strategy by working with multiple proprietary and licensed brands.

• Industry Trends & Innovation: Stay at the forefront of activewear and sportswear trends, material innovation, and sustainable design practices through industry engagement and research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented highlight the operational complexities inherent in the role. Addressing these challenges effectively will require strong process management, problem-solving skills, and the ability to drive change, all of which are core competencies for operations professionals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to developing a cohesive seasonal design strategy for multiple brands or categories, balancing trend innovation with commercial viability." (Focus on process, data integration, and alignment with business goals.)

• "How do you mentor and develop design managers, and what strategies do you employ to foster a high-performance, accountable design culture?" (Highlight leadership philosophy, performance management, and team development methodologies.)

• "Walk us through a time you had to make a difficult trade-off between a creative design vision and margin/cost targets. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare a specific case study demonstrating commercial acumen and problem-solving.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of FAM Brands, what do you see as our biggest design opportunities and challenges?" (Research FAM Brands' brands, market position, and recent news.)

• "How do you stay ahead of market trends and consumer behavior in the sportswear and activewear space?" (Discuss your methods for trend research, market analysis, and competitive benchmarking.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation around a compelling narrative that highlights your journey from concept to commercial success, emphasizing your leadership and operational contributions.

• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the commercial success of your designs (e.g., sales figures, margin improvements, cost savings, sell-through rates).

• Process Visualization: Clearly illustrate the design process you followed, including key decision points, collaboration touchpoints, and how you managed timelines and resources.

• Concise & Focused: Be prepared to present your strongest case studies efficiently, focusing on the most relevant aspects for this role. Tailor your presentation to FAM Brands' specific needs and brands.

• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, leadership style, and how you handle challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will likely probe your ability to manage operational aspects of design, drive commercial success, and lead teams effectively. Preparing detailed case studies that showcase your problem-solving skills and process management experience will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Director of Design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate a portfolio that specifically highlights your experience in sportswear, activewear, managing design teams, and driving commercial success. Focus on showcasing your process management and operational leadership, not just creative output.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 10+ years of design experience, 3-5 years in leadership, and specific achievements in managing teams, meeting margin targets, and collaborating cross-functionally. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions. Prepare specific examples related to leadership, process optimization, and commercial decision-making. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research FAM Brands, its proprietary brands (Marika, Wildfox, Three Dots, Balance Collection), and its market position. Understand their mission and values to better articulate your fit and strategic vision during interviews.

⚠️ 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.

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