Sr Product Designer Wholesale

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr Product Designer Wholesale

Company: Catalyst Brands

Location: New York, NY

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design & Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-13

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-8+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Manages the end-to-end product development lifecycle for assigned outerwear categories, focusing on on-time and on-budget delivery.

• Develops and maintains comprehensive technical documentation, including tech packs, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and line sheets, leveraging Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.

• Collaborates cross-functionally with Merchandising, Production, and Technical Design teams to ensure cohesive product execution from concept to final production.

• Drives value engineering initiatives to optimize product cost, quality, and speed to market, particularly for COE-led wholesale assortments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a product development operations context, emphasizing the structured processes and cross-functional coordination required to bring apparel to market efficiently. The "Wholesale" aspect highlights a need to balance brand team collaboration with the speed-driven execution typical of large-scale wholesale operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the entire product development process for assigned outerwear categories, from initial concept ideation through production readiness.

• Create and meticulously maintain detailed tech packs, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and line sheets within the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system, including precise sketches, construction notes, and fabric/trim specifications.

• Foster strong partnerships with Merchandising, Production, and Technical Design departments to ensure seamless product execution, maintaining design integrity and quality standards.

• Manage and organize a comprehensive library of fabrics, trims, artwork, graphics, and CADs for efficient reference and use.

• Collaborate closely with the Sourcing team to achieve target cost and margin goals for all products.

• Proactively track development timelines, identifying potential risks and implementing mitigation strategies to ensure on-time delivery.

• Lead and implement value engineering strategies to optimize product cost, enhance quality, and accelerate time-to-market.

• Provide support for additional projects and strategic initiatives as needed to advance the design team's overall objectives and operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a strong operational backbone, requiring meticulous documentation, timeline management, and cross-functional process integration. The mention of "COE-led wholesale assortments" suggests a need for efficient, standardized processes for high-volume product lines.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Product Development, or a related field is typically expected for this level of responsibility.

Experience: 5–8+ years of progressive experience in apparel product development and design, with a proven track record in managing the full product lifecycle.

Required Skills:

• Proficient knowledge of Product Data Management (PDM)/Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems for managing product information and workflows.

• Expertise in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop for design, technical drawing, and visual representation.

• Strong command of Microsoft Excel for data analysis, BOM management, and cost tracking.

• Demonstrated understanding and proficiency in 3D Clo for product visualization and prototyping.

• Solid understanding of garment construction principles and fabric/material properties.

• Exceptional attention to detail, critical for accurate tech packs and BOMs.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively across multiple projects.

• Proven ability to manage multiple development projects simultaneously and meet tight, often fast-paced, deadlines.

• Highly self-motivated, proactive, reliable, and solution-oriented with a consistent ability to deliver high-quality work.

• Adaptability and a strong work ethic to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically within the Women's & Men's outerwear market.

• Familiarity with the lifestyle apparel market and its trends.

• Experience working across both Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) and Wholesale channels.

• Knowledge of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) for apparel development.

• Familiarity with creating and managing Line Sheets for sales and merchandising.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific software (PLM, Illustrator, Photoshop, Excel, 3D Clo) and technical knowledge (garment construction, materials) points to a role that requires deep functional expertise within the apparel product development operations pipeline. The "5-8+ years" suggests a need for candidates who can operate independently and mentor junior team members.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 comprehensive product development projects, ideally within outerwear or similar apparel categories.

• For each project, clearly demonstrate the end-to-end process from concept ideation to production readiness, highlighting your specific contributions.

• Include detailed examples of tech packs, BOMs, and line sheets, emphasizing accuracy, clarity, and completeness.

• Present case studies of value engineering initiatives, detailing the problem, your proposed solution, and the quantifiable results (e.g., cost savings, quality improvements, speed enhancements).

• Demonstrate proficiency in using PLM/PDM systems through examples of how you managed product data and workflows. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have documented product development workflows, ensuring clarity and consistency for cross-functional teams.

• Showcase your approach to managing and updating product information within PLM systems, illustrating your understanding of data integrity.

• Illustrate your methods for tracking development timelines and identifying/mitigating potential bottlenecks in the product development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase design aesthetic but, more importantly, the operational rigor, process management, and technical documentation skills required for efficient product development in a wholesale environment. The focus on value engineering and PLM proficiency is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: USD $89,100.00 - USD $162,000.00 /Yr.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.

• Term life insurance coverage.

• Paid vacation time (MTO - More Time Off policy).

• Eight paid holidays per calendar year for eligible associates.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a Company match.

• Associate discount on all Catalyst Brands merchandise.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range of $89,100 - $162,000 for a Senior Product Designer in New York, NY, aligns with industry benchmarks for this experience level and location. The benefits package is competitive for the apparel industry, with specific mentions of MTO for vacation and a 401(k) match, which are attractive to experienced professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Apparel & Fashion, Retail, E-commerce. Catalyst Brands operates within the dynamic and competitive fashion industry, with a focus on delivering quality products across multiple brands and channels.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the presence of multiple brands and a structured benefits program suggests a medium to large-sized organization, likely employing several hundred to a few thousand individuals. This size implies established operational processes but also opportunities for impact.

Founded: Founded in 2015, Catalyst Brands is a relatively young but established company, indicating a culture that may blend entrepreneurial spirit with growing corporate structure.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely operates within a broader Product Development or Merchandising division.

• This role will report to a Design Director or Head of Product Development.

• Close collaboration is expected with Merchandising, Production, Technical Design, Sourcing, and potentially Marketing/Sales teams for wholesale channel alignment. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, utilizing market trends, sales data, and customer feedback to inform product development strategies.

• Emphasis on process efficiency and speed-to-market, particularly for wholesale assortments, likely involving Agile or Waterfall hybrid methodologies.

• Collaborative approach to problem-solving and design refinement, fostering input from various functional experts.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Operating in the apparel industry, particularly with a wholesale component, requires a blend of creative flair and operational discipline. The company's relatively recent founding suggests a potentially agile environment that is still formalizing some of its long-term operational processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level Product Designer role, indicating a significant level of autonomy and responsibility. It requires not just creative design skills but also a strong command of product development operations, including process management, technical documentation, and cross-functional coordination. The role is critical in ensuring that product concepts are translated into manufacturable, marketable, and profitable goods.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Director or Head of Product Development. They will collaborate closely with peers in Merchandising, Production, Technical Design, and Sourcing. This structure emphasizes cross-functional teamwork and the importance of clear communication channels within the product creation pipeline.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the company's operational efficiency and financial performance. By managing the product development lifecycle effectively, the Senior Product Designer contributes to:

• Meeting production timelines and launch dates, crucial for wholesale partners.

• Achieving target cost and margin goals through effective sourcing and value engineering.

• Maintaining product quality and brand reputation.

• Optimizing the use of resources within the product development process. Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific product categories (e.g., advanced outerwear technologies, sustainable materials) or operational areas (e.g., PLM system optimization, global sourcing strategies).

• Leadership: Transition into a Product Development Manager or Lead Designer role, overseeing a team of designers and product developers, and taking on more strategic product line planning.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Move into roles within Merchandising, Production Management, or even Sourcing, leveraging a holistic understanding of the product lifecycle.

• Process Improvement: Lead initiatives to enhance the company's product development processes, PLM system utilization, or value engineering practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr" title implies an expectation for leadership potential and deep operational process knowledge. Growth opportunities should focus on both design leadership and operational process ownership within the product development function.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This is typical for roles requiring close collaboration, access to physical samples, and hands-on work with design tools and materials.

Office Location(s): New York, NY (11 Penn Plaza). This location places the role in a major fashion and business hub, offering access to industry resources, talent, and a vibrant professional network.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative open-plan office or dedicated design studio space is likely, fostering interaction with design, merchandising, and production teams.

• Access to necessary design software (Adobe Suite, 3D Clo) and PLM systems will be provided.

• Proximity to sample rooms, fabric libraries, and potentially prototyping facilities could be available.

• Opportunities for frequent cross-functional meetings and design reviews will be integral to the daily workflow.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with potential for extended hours during peak development cycles or to meet critical deadlines, especially for wholesale commitments. The on-site nature ensures consistent team presence and immediate availability for collaborative tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a prime New York City location underscores the collaborative and hands-on nature of this senior design role within the apparel industry's operational framework.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a Recruiter will likely review applications and resumes, focusing on experience with PLM, Adobe Suite, 3D Clo, and years of relevant product development experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Design Director or Head of Product Development, focusing on your experience managing the product lifecycle, technical skills, and understanding of outerwear development. Be prepared to discuss specific projects and challenges.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio. This is where you'll showcase your tech packs, BOMs, line sheets, and value engineering examples. Focus on clarity, detail, and the operational aspects of your work.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Merchandising, Production, and Technical Design to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and understanding of their operational needs.

• Potential Skills Assessment: A practical exercise, possibly involving creating a basic tech pack component or analyzing a cost scenario, to evaluate your technical proficiency.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to assess cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project or by skill demonstrated. Clearly label each section and project.

• Highlight Operations: For each project, emphasize your role in the process – how you managed timelines, collaborated with teams, documented specifications, and contributed to cost/quality optimization. Use bullet points to detail your responsibilities.

• Tech Pack & BOM Excellence: Showcase your most detailed and accurate tech packs and BOMs. Annotate them to explain key construction details, material choices, and how they ensure manufacturability.

• Value Engineering Case Studies: Present 1-2 strong case studies detailing a specific problem you solved through value engineering, the steps you took, and the measurable impact (e.g., "Reduced cost by 10%," "Improved seam durability by X%").

• PLM/Software Proficiency: Briefly explain how you utilized PLM/PDM systems to manage product data and workflows. If possible, include anonymized screenshots or workflow diagrams.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most impactful projects and achievements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Process Mapping: Be ready to discuss how you would map out or improve a specific part of the product development process (e.g., sample review, final costing).

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would handle common product development challenges, such as a supplier delay, a material quality issue, or a cost overrun. Focus on your systematic approach and communication strategy.

• Cross-functional Communication: Practice articulating technical details and operational needs clearly to non-design stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Senior Product Designer role heavily emphasizes operational execution alongside design talent. A strong portfolio that demonstrates process management, technical accuracy, and problem-solving capabilities is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• PLM/PDM Systems: Essential for managing product data, BOMs, tech packs, and development workflows. Candidates should be proficient in at least one major PLM system (e.g., Centric PLM, Lectra, FastReact, or similar industry-specific platforms).

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Illustrator: For creating technical flats, sketches, and graphic elements.
  • Photoshop: For mood boards, mockups, and image manipulation.

• Microsoft Excel: For BOM management, cost analysis, tracking, and data reporting.

• 3D Clo: For virtual prototyping, 3D garment visualization, and fit analysis.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this role, familiarity with how product data feeds into sales and merchandising analytics (e.g., sell-through rates, margin reports) is beneficial.

• Ability to generate reports from PLM for tracking development status. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role's core responsibilities, but understanding how product information syncs with sales/merchandising systems is a plus.

• Familiarity with any internal collaboration or project management tools used by Catalyst Brands for workflow management.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in PLM, Adobe Suite, Excel, and 3D Clo is non-negotiable for this role. The ability to leverage these tools for efficient product data management and development is a core operational requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Detail-Oriented Excellence: A commitment to accuracy and thoroughness in all technical documentation and process execution, ensuring product quality and manufacturability.

• Collaboration & Communication: A proactive approach to working with cross-functional teams, fostering open dialogue and shared understanding of development goals and challenges.

• Efficiency & Speed: A drive to optimize processes and timelines, particularly for wholesale assortments, to ensure timely delivery and market responsiveness.

• Problem-Solving & Adaptability: A solutions-oriented mindset, capable of navigating unexpected challenges in the development cycle and adapting to evolving market demands.

• Quality & Integrity: Upholding high standards for product quality and brand representation throughout the development process.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engages with Merchandising, Production, Technical Design, and Sourcing to ensure alignment and smooth workflow progression.

• Constructive Feedback: Open to receiving and providing constructive feedback on designs, materials, and processes to drive continuous improvement.

• Team-Oriented: Contributes to a positive team environment, sharing knowledge and supporting colleagues to achieve collective goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely values a blend of creative input and rigorous operational execution. A candidate who can balance design vision with process discipline and strong interpersonal skills will thrive.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Quality: The primary challenge will be to deliver high-quality outerwear on tight deadlines, especially for wholesale, which often has less lead time than DTC.

• Cost Optimization: Achieving target margins in a competitive market requires constant vigilance in sourcing and value engineering without compromising product integrity.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring all departments (Merchandising, Production, Technical Design, Sourcing) are aligned on product specifications, timelines, and cost targets can be complex.

• Material & Supplier Management: Navigating material sourcing, supplier reliability, and evolving textile innovations presents ongoing operational hurdles.

• Adapting to Market Trends: Rapidly incorporating new trends and consumer preferences into product lines while adhering to development schedules.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced PLM/3D Clo Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in these critical operational tools.

• Sustainable Materials & Practices: Learning about new eco-friendly materials and sustainable production methods relevant to outerwear.

• Global Sourcing & Production: Gaining insights into international manufacturing landscapes and supply chain management.

• Cost Engineering & Value Analysis: Developing advanced skills in optimizing product costs and improving manufacturing efficiency.

• Leadership Development: Potential to mentor junior designers and take on project leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role operates at the intersection of design creativity and operational efficiency. Candidates should be prepared for the inherent complexities of apparel product development and view challenges as opportunities for process improvement and skill enhancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for managing the end-to-end development of an outerwear product line from concept to production." (Focus on your workflow, documentation, and cross-functional touchpoints.)

• "How do you approach value engineering to reduce product costs while maintaining quality? Provide a specific example." (Detail your methodology and quantifiable results.)

• "Walk me through a time you had to resolve a conflict or misalignment between design, merchandising, and production regarding a product. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight your communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.)

• "How do you ensure accuracy and completeness in your tech packs and BOMs, especially when working with multiple suppliers?" (Emphasize your attention to detail and documentation standards.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Catalyst Brands and our approach to product development, particularly in the wholesale channel?" (Research their brands, recent collections, and market position.)

• "How do you envision contributing to our team's collaborative environment and operational efficiency?" (Align your skills with their stated values and needs.)

• "Describe your experience working with PLM systems. Which systems have you used, and how did you leverage them to improve development processes?" (Be ready to discuss specific features and benefits.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your portfolio presentation as a story for each project, highlighting the challenge, your solution, and the outcome.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use numbers to demonstrate the success of your work (e.g., cost savings, time reduction, quality improvements).

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate your role in the operational aspects of product development – how you managed tasks, collaborated, documented, and problem-solved.

• Technical Accuracy: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about garment construction, materials, and the specifications in your tech packs.

• Engagement: Make it a conversation, not a monologue. Ask clarifying questions and be ready to adapt your presentation based on the interviewer's interests.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design acumen but also strong operational process management, technical documentation skills, and cross-functional collaboration capabilities, crucial for a Senior role in a wholesale-focused apparel company.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Catalyst Brands careers portal.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5-8+ years of experience in apparel product development, emphasizing your proficiency with PLM, Adobe Suite, Excel, and 3D Clo. Use keywords from the job description, such as "product development lifecycle," "tech packs," "BOM management," "value engineering," and "cross-functional collaboration." Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Managed development for X categories, resulting in Y% cost savings").

• Portfolio Curation: Prepare a digital portfolio that showcases your strongest outerwear development projects. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your ability to create detailed tech packs and BOMs, manage timelines, and implement value engineering strategies. Include at least one project that highlights your experience with wholesale channel considerations or collaborations.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience with specific examples, focusing on your operational contributions and problem-solving skills. Be ready to walk through your portfolio and discuss your approach to managing the product development process. Research Catalyst Brands' current product lines and market position.

• LinkedIn Profile Update: Ensure your LinkedIn profile accurately reflects your experience and skills, aligning with your resume and portfolio. This is often a reference point for recruiters.

⚠️ 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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