Men’s Designer Full Time NEW

Title & Reporting Relationships

• Position Title: Men’s Designer

• Reports to: Senior Director of Design & Merchandising

• Department: M&D

• Oversees: No Direct Reports

• Interactions: All members of the Outerknown staff and some outside business partners

Main Purpose and Major Challenges of the Role

The Men’s Designer at Outerknown is responsible for leading design execution across all men’s categories (e.g. tops, bottoms, outerwear, knits, sweaters, fleece, shirting, active, swim), with a strong focus on trend forecasting and analysis, brand clarity and customer centricity, creation and management of tech packs, and cross-category consistency.

The role will partner closely with merchandising, technical design, product development, and production teams to ensure designs are on trend, customer focused, feasible, cost-effective, and aligned with the brand’s sustainability ethos.

Note: This role requires a minimum of three days in office, which may change at any time due to business needs.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Trend & Market Analysis

• Monitor men’s fashion trends, street style, trade shows, social media, and competitive brands to identify directional themes and market opportunities.

• Work with Creative Director and Merchandising to synthesize trend insights into concept presentations (mood boards, color palettes, silhouettes, prints/graphics).

• Translate macro and micro trend forecasts into actionable design direction tailored to our target customer.

Cross-Category Design Leadership

• Design across all men’s categories to ensure coherent brand language and technical feasibility.

• Drive innovation in silhouette, fabric, construction, detailing, prints/graphics, and embellishments.

• Partner with product development and print teams to ideate and execute consistent material and surface treatments.

Design Execution & Collaboration

• Sketch and CAD design concepts and present them visually for feedback.

• Produce flat drawings, spec sheets, and select fabrics/trims.

• Align with sustainability goals in materials and trims.

• Participate in design reviews, critiques, and cross-functional meetings.

• Review and comment on lab dips, strike offs, sample details, fit, and wash.

• Attend proto reviews and fittings; provide feedback to PD and TD.

• Ensure product execution meets design intent and cost constraints.

• Liaise with merchandising on assortment, pricing, margin, and sell-through.

Tech Pack Creation & Management

• Develop detailed tech packs including spec sheets, BOMs, construction details, and fit blocks.

• Iterate tech packs through collaboration with TD, merch, and PD.

• Maintain an organized, up-to-date tech pack library with version control.

Quality & Cost Oversight

• Evaluate cost implications and construction risks early in development.

• Collaborate with tech and production to resolve potential quality or fit issues.

• Participate in pre-production reviews and final fit approvals.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion/Apparel Design or equivalent experience.

• 3–5+ years in men’s apparel design across multiple categories.

• Strong trend forecasting and fashion sensibility aligned with brand ethos.

• Proficiency in tech pack tools (e.g. Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Backbone, Gerber, Techpacker).

• Strong knowledge of garment construction, sewing, and materials.

• Experience working cross-functionally across design, PD, sourcing, production, and merchandising.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Detail-oriented, highly organized, and able to manage multiple projects to deadline.

• Portfolio that demonstrates aesthetic range and technical skill.

• Willingness to travel occasionally (e.g. trade shows, vendor visits).