Senior Designer

Req #: 141802
Location Name: Camuto Design Studio
Department: Design

Designer Brands Inc. is one of North America’s largest designers, producers and retailers of footwear and accessories. The company operates a portfolio of retail concepts in nearly 1,000 locations under the DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company, and Shoe Warehouse brands and operates leased locations in the U.S through its Affiliated Business Group. Designer Brands designs and produces footwear and accessories through Camuto Group, a leading manufacturer selling in more than 5,400 doors worldwide. The Camuto Group owns licensing rights for the Jessica Simpson® footwear business, and footwear and handbag licenses for Lucky Brand® and Max Studio®. In partnership with a joint venture with Authentic Brands Group, Designer Brands also owns a stake in Vince Camuto®, Louise et Cie®, Sole Society®, CC Corso Como®, Enzo Angiolini® and others. More information can be found at www.designerbrands.com.

Designer Brands Inc., New York, NY needs a Senior Designer to

TREND: Forecast, track, and interpret trends based on initial design direction from Creative Director & ED team; Shop for new trend/construction inspiration; Review and choose all constructions for the season with Creative Director.

SKETCHING: Design thumbnails for upper and ornament design; Sketch and ink designs; Create all heel & outsole diagrams; CAD design as needed (with assistance from Design Assistant); Create Mini-Wall of sketches.

SPECS: Responsible for creating & maintaining specs in CG system; Spec line in conjunction with seasonal direction and tie back to athletic portion of line; Enter specs into draft spec system- maintain throughout season (with assistance from Design Assistant).

REPORTS: Creation and maintenance of all design related reports (with assistance from Design Assistant), Material, Construction, Ornament, Populate line plan with pictures.

MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT: Work with CG China team & internal material team to source materials seasonally; Work with Athletic Team and Creative Director to create seasonal color palette; Send Materials to China & track development; Work with suppliers to continually source new, innovative materials.

SAMPLE DEVELOPMENT: Responsible for each season’s proto & lot sample development in it’s entirety; Send design detail sketches to begin proto development; Attend proto meetings with China team in CT; Travel to China 4 x’s per year to work on prototypes through to lot samples.

MARKET WEEK: Attend seasonal Market weeks and various ad-hoc meetings for sample presentation.

PRE-PRODUCTION: Attend Shoe Base meetings to comment on aesthetic & fit details; Review line sheet details with sales team; insure corrections are made prior to UPC set up; Create and maintain pre-confirmation specs in CG system; Check & communicate changes on Confirmation Specs; Follow up on shoe base corrections as needed.

Requires a bachelor’s degree in Communication, Integrated Marketing & Management Communication, Business Analysis & Economics, or related field, and 2 years of experience in the skill sets listed in the job description. Must be willing to travel internationally to China about 4 times a year. Must be willing to travel nationally about 4 times a year to visit production line and factories. Requisition # 141802

The estimated pay range for this position is $112,299 to $163,000. The successful candidate’s actual salary offer will take into account a wide range of job-related factors including skill sets, years and nature of relevant experience, training, pay rates of associates in similar positions, the candidate’s location, and other organizational needs. The estimated pay range has been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential. This range does not include benefits such as health insurance, paid or unpaid time off work, and retirement unless required by law.

Send resume to talentacquisition@hr.designerbrands.com.