Sr Product Designer- A New Day Sweaters

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr Product Designer - A New Day Sweaters

Company: Target

Location: 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403-2542, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Product Design / Apparel Design

Date Posted: October 4, 2026

Experience Level: 8+ Years (Senior Level)

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end product design and development process for A New Day sweater collections, driving innovation and market relevance.

• Develop compelling product designs that align with Target's overall creative direction, merchant line plans, and assortment strategies.

• Conduct in-depth market research, trend forecasting, and global shopping to identify emerging styles, materials, and color palettes within the sweater category.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners including merchant teams, sourcing specialists, and technical designers to ensure product quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely execution.

• Mentor and guide Associate Designers and Designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing design environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for the "A New Day" brand's sweater category, requiring deep expertise in knitwear design and a strong understanding of Target's fast-paced retail environment. The hybrid work model with a significant in-office component suggests a collaborative team dynamic.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive the conceptualization and design of sweater lines, including selecting key color stories, developing prints, and specifying trims and graphics.

• Execute product designs that support merchant line plans, assortment strategies, price points, and the overall creative direction of the A New Day brand.

• Partner with technical designers and sourcing partners to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve product issues throughout the development lifecycle.

• Conduct global market research and trend forecasting to stay ahead of industry shifts and identify opportunities for innovation in sweater design.

• Travel globally to shop markets, identify trends, and visit factories for development and execution of product programs.

• Mentor and develop Associate Designers and Designers, fostering their growth and enabling effective collaboration within the broader design team.

• Maintain clear and timely communication with all internal and external partners, ensuring a streamlined product development process.

• Demonstrate a diligent approach to workload management, consistently meeting deadlines and project milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "driving and leading" product design and development processes indicates a senior-level expectation for proactive ownership and strategic input beyond just design execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Four-year degree in Design, Fine Art, or a similar relevant field, OR equivalent practical experience. Experience:

• Minimum of 8+ years of dedicated experience in sweater design, knitwear, or woven apparel.

• Proven track record of successfully leading product design and development cycles within a retail or apparel environment. Required Skills:

• Product Design Expertise: Deep understanding of sweater design principles, knitwear construction, and apparel development.

• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in computer design systems, specifically Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.

• Textile & Garment Knowledge: Advanced understanding of textiles, garment construction, fit, and raw materials crucial for sweater production.

• Market & Trend Analysis: Strong commercial sense, market knowledge, and the ability to research, interpret, and apply market and trend information effectively.

• Product Development Acumen: Comprehensive knowledge of product development processes from concept to production.

• Collaboration & Communication: Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a team environment and maintain good, timely communication with internal and external partners.

• Problem-Solving: Ability to respond to business objectives with creative, innovative, and cost-effective design solutions.

• Independent Work Ethic: Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific knitwear machinery and techniques.

• Familiarity with sustainable sourcing and materials in apparel.

• Experience in mentoring junior design staff.

• Knowledge of global sourcing and manufacturing landscapes for knitwear.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "equivalent experience" alongside a degree signifies Target's flexibility in valuing practical, hands-on expertise in lieu of formal education for senior roles. The specific mention of "sweaters, knits, wovens" highlights a specialization requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Sweater Design Showcase: A curated collection of sweater designs demonstrating a strong understanding of knitwear construction, silhouette variety, and trend application. Include examples that highlight innovation in fabric, trim, or print.

• Process Documentation Examples: Visual representations of the design process, such as mood boards, initial sketches, CADs (Computer-Aided Designs), color palettes, and fabric/trim boards.

• Trend Analysis Integration: Evidence of how market research and trend forecasting informed design decisions, potentially including research reports or trend boards.

• Collaboration & Problem-Solving: Examples of projects where collaboration with technical designers or sourcing partners was critical, showcasing problem-solving skills in garment development.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase of how you document design concepts, including the selection of color stories, fabrics, prints, trims, and graphics.

• Examples of how you partner with technical designers and sourcing to troubleshoot and resolve product issues, demonstrating a methodical approach to problem resolution.

• Documentation of your market research and trend identification process, illustrating how you translate insights into actionable design directions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior level and focus on "leading" design, the portfolio should not only showcase design output but also the strategic thinking and process management behind it, particularly in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $95,000 - $171,000 per year This range reflects the competitive compensation for a Senior Product Designer role in Minneapolis, MN, considering the experience level, specialized skills in knitwear, and the strategic importance of the role within a major retail organization like Target. Market data from similar senior design positions in large metropolitan areas was used to establish this range.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, vision, and dental insurance plans.

• Life Insurance: Financial protection for your beneficiaries.

• Retirement Savings: Eligible team members can participate in a 401(k) plan.

• Employee Discount: A significant discount on Target products.

• Disability Coverage: Short-term and long-term disability insurance to provide income protection.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation days.

• Additional Perks: Access to a wide array of benefits covering financial, educational, and well-being needs, detailed at corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.

Working Hours:

• Full-time position, typically 40 hours per week.

• Expected to work in-office 4 days per week from the Minneapolis campus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is broad, indicating that placement within the range will be highly dependent on the candidate's specific experience, the depth of their knitwear expertise, and demonstrated success in driving product strategy and execution.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Apparel & Accessories)

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Target operates globally with hundreds of thousands of employees). This scale offers extensive resources, structured processes, and opportunities for broad impact.

Founded: 1902. Target has a long-standing history and a deeply ingrained culture focused on guest experience and innovation.

Team Structure:

• Design Team: Part of the broader Design team responsible for all Target-owned brands. This role focuses specifically on the "A New Day" sweater category.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Works in close partnership with merchant teams (who define product strategy and assortment) and sourcing counterparts (who manage manufacturing and supply chain).

• Reporting: Reports to design leadership within the apparel division, likely a Design Director or Senior Manager. Mentors junior designers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Utilizes market research, trend forecasting, and sales data to inform design decisions and ensure commercial viability.

• Agile Development: Operates within a fast-paced retail calendar, requiring efficient workflow planning and execution to meet seasonal deadlines.

• Brand Cohesion Focus: Emphasizes maintaining a consistent brand identity and aesthetic across all product categories and collections.

Company Website: https://corporate.target.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Target's culture is known for its focus on "team members" and a strong emphasis on guest experience. For a designer, this translates to creating products that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also accessible, high-quality, and align with the "A New Day" brand's value proposition.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Designer. This level signifies a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility for a specific product category. It involves strategic input, trend leadership, and mentorship.

Reporting Structure: Reports to Design Leadership (e.g., Design Director) within the Apparel division. Works closely with Merchandising and Sourcing leadership.

Operations Impact: Directly influences the product assortment, brand perception, and revenue generation for the "A New Day" sweater category. Successful designs contribute to sales performance, guest satisfaction, and brand loyalty. The role is critical in translating market trends into commercially successful products that meet Target's quality and price point objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to advance into Design Management roles, overseeing larger categories or teams.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise within knitwear or expand into adjacent apparel categories.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into merchandising, product development management, or brand strategy roles.

• Continuous Learning: Access to industry conferences, workshops, and internal training programs to stay current with design trends, technologies, and retail strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr" title and the explicit mention of mentoring suggest a pathway for individuals looking to grow into leadership positions within Target's extensive design organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: In-office, hybrid model. This role requires a significant presence at the Minneapolis campus.

Office Location(s): 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403-2542. This is a prime downtown Minneapolis location.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Minneapolis campus is designed to foster collaboration, likely featuring open studio spaces, meeting rooms, and areas for cross-functional team interaction.

• Design Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially specialized knitwear design tools.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for direct interaction with design peers, merchandising partners, technical designers, and sourcing representatives.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, with an expectation of 4 days per week in the office. This hybrid structure balances in-person collaboration with some flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 4 days in the office underscores the importance of in-person collaboration, feedback, and team synergy for this senior design role within Target's established product development framework.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Resume and portfolio review to assess qualifications, experience, and design aesthetic.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: Candidates will likely present a portfolio showcasing relevant sweater designs, market analysis, and a case study demonstrating their process for a specific design challenge or collection.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with hiring managers, design leadership, and potentially partners from merchandising and sourcing to evaluate technical skills, collaboration style, and strategic thinking.

• Cultural Fit Assessment: Evaluation of how well the candidate aligns with Target's values and the design team's collaborative approach.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 8-10 of your strongest sweater/knitwear designs that best represent your skills and experience relevant to the "A New Day" brand and Target's aesthetic.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your research and inspiration, the design process, challenges faced, and the final outcome. Emphasize how your design met business objectives and consumer needs.

• Showcase Process: Include mood boards, sketches, CADs, color palettes, fabric/trim selections, and technical call-outs. Demonstrate your understanding of knitwear construction and materials.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, include examples of projects where you collaborated effectively with technical designers, merchants, or sourcing teams, explaining your role and contributions.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics or specific outcomes to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., sales performance, positive guest feedback).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Thoroughly research the "A New Day" brand, its target demographic, aesthetic, and current market positioning.

• Trend Immersion: Be prepared to discuss current and upcoming sweater trends, knitwear innovations, and color forecasts relevant to the mid-tier retail market.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would approach specific design challenges, such as cost-reduction initiatives, material substitutions, or adapting a trend for a specific guest segment.

• Mentorship Readiness: Be ready to discuss your approach to mentoring junior designers and fostering team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to walk through their work in detail, demonstrating not just design talent but also a strategic, business-oriented approach to product creation.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for creating technical flats, vector artwork, and detailed design specifications.

• Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for creating mood boards, rendering designs, manipulating imagery, and developing print/graphic elements.

• Specialized Knitwear Software (Potentially): Depending on Target's internal stack, experience with specific CAD systems for knitwear design or 3D design software may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary data analysis role, understanding how to interpret sales reports, customer feedback, and market trend data is vital for informing design decisions. Familiarity with retail analytics platforms is a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but understanding how product information flows through PDM (Product Data Management) or PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems is beneficial for cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is a hard requirement, reflecting the core tools of the trade for apparel design. Exposure to broader product development systems is advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Guest Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the Target guest, ensuring designs are relevant, desirable, and meet their needs at an accessible price point.

• Innovation: A drive to create fresh, original designs that stand out in the marketplace and delight customers.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional partners to achieve shared goals.

• Efficiency & Agility: The ability to work effectively within a fast-paced retail environment, adapting to changing trends and business needs.

• Inclusivity: Creating products that appeal to a diverse customer base and fostering an inclusive design environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Works closely with Merchandising, Sourcing, and Technical Design teams, valuing diverse perspectives and shared ownership of product success.

• Mentorship Driven: Actively supports and guides junior team members, fostering a culture of learning and development.

• Open Communication: Encourages clear, constructive feedback and open dialogue to ensure design integrity and project success.

📝 Enhancement Note: Target's values emphasize a blend of customer focus, innovation, and teamwork, which are critical for success in a high-volume, brand-driven retail environment like the one inhabited by the "A New Day" brand.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Trend & Brand: Effectively translating cutting-edge trends into designs that are appropriate for the "A New Day" brand and appeal to its target demographic, while meeting price point constraints.

• Pace of Retail: Navigating the demanding pace of the retail calendar, requiring efficient workflow management and timely decision-making.

• Global Sourcing Dynamics: Working with international factories requires understanding cultural nuances, production capabilities, and potential supply chain disruptions.

• Mentorship Demands: Effectively balancing senior design responsibilities with the active mentorship and development of junior designers.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Trend Forecasting: Access to industry trend forecasting services and internal trend analysis resources.

• Material Innovation: Opportunities to explore new textile technologies and sustainable material options.

• Leadership Training: Development programs focused on management, team leadership, and strategic planning.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining deeper insights into merchandising, supply chain, and marketing functions within Target.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents a significant opportunity for a designer who thrives in a fast-paced, commercially focused environment and wants to grow into a leadership position within a major retail organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for translating a market trend into a commercially viable sweater design for a brand like A New Day." (Focus on research, ideation, sketching, CADs, and collaboration with merchandising.)

• "Walk us through a challenging product development project for a knitwear item. What were the obstacles, how did you overcome them, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight problem-solving, collaboration with sourcing/tech design, and impact.)

• "How do you approach mentoring junior designers? Provide an example of how you've helped a team member grow their skills." (Demonstrate leadership, communication, and development focus.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Target and the A New Day brand specifically?" (Showcase research into the brand's aesthetic, target guest, and value proposition.)

• "How do you ensure brand cohesion and continuity in your designs, especially when working across different product types or collections?" (Focus on understanding brand guidelines and cross-functional communication.)

• "How do you balance creative vision with business objectives, such as price point and production feasibility?" (Emphasize commercial awareness and strategic design thinking.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the process, key decisions, and the final result. Use a consistent flow.

• Highlight Knitwear Expertise: Emphasize your technical understanding of stitches, yarn types, garment construction, and finishing techniques specific to sweaters and knitwear.

• Showcase Trend Translation: Demonstrate how you identify trends and adapt them for a specific brand and target audience, rather than just replicating them.

• Quantify Success: If possible, use data (e.g., sales performance, positive feedback) to illustrate the impact of your designs.

• Prepare for Q&A: Be ready to answer detailed questions about your design choices, technical specifications, and collaborative experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their design philosophy through the lens of Target's business objectives and the specific needs of the "A New Day" brand, showcasing both creative talent and commercial acumen.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your most relevant sweater and knitwear design experience, emphasizing your ability to work within a specific brand aesthetic and price point.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 8+ years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, and understanding of textiles and garment construction. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, market analysis skills, and collaborative approach. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio that demonstrate your impact.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Target's mission, values, and the "A New Day" brand's positioning within the retail landscape. Understand their approach to design and product development.

⚠️ 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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