Implus Footcare, LLC is an industry-leading global consumer packaged goods company with 20+ brands in footwear accessories, hosiery, specialty running, outdoor, fitness and movement categories. Implus is headquartered in Research Triangle Park in Durham, NC with locations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, and South Africa. Our brand family includes Balega, Harbinger, TriggerPoint, Perfect, Sport-Brella, DryGuy, SKLZ, RockTape, Sof Sole, Stabil, Spenco, Yaktrax, Apara, Airplus, Sneaker Balls, Sof Comfort, Little Hotties, Forcefield. From insoles, socks, and shoe care to fitness equipment and seasonal accessories, Implus' products are sold in over 80,000 retail locations across North America and in over 70 countries worldwide.
At Implus we are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture. We encourage & value different perspectives and are seeking an Associate Product Designer who shares our commitment to inclusivity and enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
POSITION SUMMARY:
As an Associate Product Designer, you will play a vital contributor role in the success of our Everyday Hosiery team. The Associate Product Designer supports the execution of overarching product design requests by creating detailed technical CADS that include accurate stitch information, artwork layouts, graphing, and visual materials across a broad category range. Under the guidance of senior design leadership, you will assist in continuous market research to identify emerging trends, colors, and innovative concepts. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional partners across Merchandising, Product Development, and Commercial to ensure the original design intent is accurately carried through to the final product.
Great Associate Product Designers are actively developing a strong trend instinct and learning to balance business needs with target consumer preferences. In this role, you must be a proactive team player ready to operate successfully within a fast-paced, dynamic environment—embracing change and responding to challenges with a positive, solutions-oriented mindset. This position is hybrid, with fluctuating in-office days based on business needs.
TREND + RESEARCH + INNOVATION
- Conduct regular research of trends: silhouettes, colors, yarns, patterns, etc.
- Maintain inspirational tears and utilize creative formats to explain vision for range direction
- Continuously provides SWOT analysis of market
- Assist in building of strategic thinking for product strategies to create assortments with retailer adoptions and align with private label and branded DNA
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Execute color palette strategy based on guidance from senior designers with attention to detail and collaborate with cross functional team on how to incorporate based on market and selling trends.
- Review sell in and sell out data to understand market performance and support future design ideation
- Understand translation of all research into sock specific categories
CAD AND CREATIVE DESIGN
- Create all products via Adobe Illustrator and Creative Cloud Programs
- Executes accurate CAD creation and development
- Executes Design requests to reinforce business strategies and creative principles
- Assists in chasing new rapid business opportunities
- Ability to design in 1D with a vision of 3D execution in mind
- Assist in the creation of compelling presentations, palettes, and seasonal trend concepts
- Sketch and make clear detailed construction pages
- Identify and understand all features and knitting techniques on CADs
- Attentively check CADs for details and accuracy
TECHNICAL DESIGN
- Work with Product Developers to ensure products are executed to the CAD
- Understanding of hosiery and/or knit constructions
- Checks sock samples to CAD for accuracy
- Execute construction details while learning and executing cost targets
- Constructing socks to the reflect relevant features for the category
- Ability to translate technical details of sock into CAD designs
- Collaborate with Design, PD, and Merchandising in resolving product issues
- Prepare development packages and participate in all communication and follow up related to each package in partnership with Product Development and Merchandising
- Reviewing all samples for aesthetic and construction precision
COMMUNICATION/ORGANIZATION
- Assist in day-to-day projects and help maintain organization for the design team
- Effectively communicate with design team and occasionally external partners
- Ability to maintain open communication with cross functional teams while managing priorities on multiple projects and follow up as needed.
- Conceptualize and visually communicate with team on designs both in person and digitally in a hybrid work environment.
- Maintain updated digital files (roadmaps, handoff documents, and CAD files)
- Support all work through thoughtful reasoning
- Maintain active role in meetings with detailed notes and following up on issues
- Maintain Color and Yarn Standard Library
- Organize Market Samples and Lab Dips
- Advocate for accurate design execution and participate actively in working meetings
- Develop strong relationships with a collaborative attitude
- Actively participates in and supports collaborative efforts amongst the design team and cross-functional partners
PRESENTATIONS
- Collaborate on compelling design presentations that clearly communicate concept vision
- Assist in preparation of seasonal presentation materials.
- Prepare effective mood boards and trend boards seasonally for decks
- Develop presentation skills
- Present trends and design-centric materials internally, while observing and supporting external presentations to develop skills
- Prepare effective mood boards and trend boards seasonally for decks.
- Develop presentation skills
- Present trends and design centric materials for internal & external community
Minimum Qualifications: Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
TIME MANAGEMENT
- Manage numerous projects and adapt to shifting priorities
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to follow through on multiple tasks simultaneously with accuracy.
- Proven ability to plan and meet deadlines within a product development calendar
- Resourceful, creative, and efficient when faced with overlapping priorities
CREATIVITY
- Express a strong design point of view and apply it to execute the overarching product direction
- Exceptional taste level with a commercial fashion eye and detail in product styling/performance
- Be inspired by surroundings and everyday living to form new concepts/solutions
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
- Holistic understanding of all retailers and regions around world
- Full immersion in current production and samples for all sock categories
- Understand the basics of the production process as it relates to the classification.
- Learn strategic process to understand goals of development and concepts.
ADAPTABILITY
- Flexible attitude
- Operates well in feedback culture
- Enjoys creative and strategic problem solving
- Embraces change with ability to pivot based on ever changing market
- Self-starter who takes initiative and incorporates new ideas quickly.
- Respond to challenges with innovative, and cost-effective design solutions
- Adaptable to company structure, responsibilities, and core values
Preferred Qualifications:
- Minimum 3 years work experience, preferably in the fashion and/or consumer soft-goods accessories space in either a corporate or consultancy environment
- Extraordinary Adobe Illustrator and visual communication skills
- Exceptional sense of color, “on-trend” patterns, typography, form, scale and proportion
- Outstanding Photo editing & retouching skills
- Working knowledge of Adobe InDesign & Creative Suite to document product & graphic designs, create tech-packs and/or sales related visuals as required
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
- Problem solver and is detail oriented
- Familiar with Microsoft Office
MAC and/or PC system knowledge required
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A bachelor's degree in a related field of study OR a combination of education & experience will be considered.
Relevant Working Conditions & Physical Demands:
- Observe/Identify: The ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Hearing: Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, customers and vendors.
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Operate: Write, type and use the telephone, copier, and computer systems.
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Stationary position: Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50- 75% of the time.
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Mobility: Occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, attend meetings, etc.
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Predictable attendance on site
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Communicate: Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
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Move/Transport: Ability to occasionally move boxes weighing up to 25 lbs. across office for various needs with or without accommodations
- Exposed: Standard climate-controlled office setting
- Occasional exposure to open air, warehouse setting
- Predictable attendance on site
- Using MAC computer, Keyboard, and monitor
- Work has deadlines, multiple interruptions and may be stressful at times
Implus is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and committed to creating a diverse and inclusive company culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion/belief, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other protected status under the law. Individuals needing a reasonable accommodation should contact [email protected].
