Senior Designer Accessories job in San Francisco

About Athleta

For the past 25 years, we’ve committed ourselves and our brand to a single aim: to empower all women and girls. Inspiration. Collaboration. Connection. Inclusivity. It’s what we do best, and we’re on the hunt for people who share our passion for leading an active lifestyle, growing personally as well as professionally, and creating game-changing products and experiences.

We use business as a force for good by putting people and the planet right up there with profit, which is why Athleta is a certified B Corp. Ready to make a move? Join us. Because we know that alone we’re strong, but together we’re unstoppable.

About the Role

As the Senior Accessories Designer you will work closely with the Head of Design and manage all accessories categories.* You will work collaboratively with Apparel Design, Merchandising, and Product Development to realize collections from concept to commercialization. You combine an intuitive sense for trend with active product use experience and a problem-solving attitude to create beautiful, technical, sustainable product.

Responsibilities will include (but are not limited to) trend and materials research, materials development, sketching, drawing CADs, building technicals, building seasonal color files, working within the seasonal calendar, coordinating with apparel designers and the cross functional team of merchants and developers.

*Accessories categories currently includes: bags, headwear, knitwear, socks, girls’ accessories, yoga gear and special projects.

What You'll Do

• Research current trend for Accessories categories, with an emphasis on the intersection of performance and style

• Competitive shop, inspiration shop and research marketplace

• Collaborate with the Apparel Design and Concept teams to develop and communicate cohesive seasonal and sport trends and design direction to Merchandising and Marketing/Creative teams

• Research current bestsellers and trends to develop appropriate style, design, and brand evolution

• Build upon established product franchises by understanding their unique design lines and palette of materials

• Collaborate with Merchandising team on architecture of collection

• Develop seasonal briefs to direct vendors in co-creation styles, edit and comment on their designs in order to align with brand handwriting

• Develop key trends and seasonal theme direction for silhouette, fabric and trims  

• Work with product development and vendors to develop raw materials (fabric and trims)

• Prepare and present thumbnail concepts and line drawings for silhouette review and selection

• Collaborate with Merchant to merchandise your classification

• Offer product color recommendations during line coloring process; communicate product-specific constraints to color team

• Create first proto sample tech packs and dimension specs to facilitate sampling, revise tech packs over the course of the season in accordance with product evolution

• Communicate details for bill of materials to Product Development

• With the Merchant team, evaluate all first proto samples for adoption

• Working with Product Development, evaluate all adopted styles for aesthetic, fit, construction, and quality

• Along with the Merchant team, evaluate photo samples for accuracy and execution

• Oversee concept board and divisional CAD development process for line review presentation

• Mentor, give direction and share design expertise with team to encourage growth and build the brand

Who You Are

• 6+ years of design-related experience

• Strong storytelling / presentation skills and creative direction

• Hands on design experience- flat and illustrator sketching a must

• Strong organizational skills - proficiency in Microsoft applications

• CAD proficiency - Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and/or CAD software a must

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a cross functional team environment

• Athletic / performance design expertise a plus

• Design Portfolio is a must

Benefits at Athleta

• Merchandise discount for our brands: 50% off regular-priced merchandise at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, and 30% off at Outlet for all employees.
• One of the most competitive Paid Time Off plans in the industry.*
• Employees can take up to five “on the clock” hours each month to volunteer at a charity of their choice.*
• Extensive 401(k) plan with company matching for contributions up to four percent of an employee’s base pay.*
• Employee stock purchase plan.*
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance.*
• See more of the benefits we offer.

*For eligible employees

Gap Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status. We have received numerous awards for our long-held commitment to equality and will continue to foster a diverse and inclusive environment of belonging. In 2022, we were recognized by Forbes as one of the World's Best Employers and one of the Best Employers for Diversity.

Salary Range: $104,100 - $137,900 USD
Employee pay will vary based on factors such as qualifications, experience, skill level, competencies and work location. We will meet minimum wage or minimum of the pay range (whichever is higher) based on city, county and state requirements.

US Candidates
Please note that effective, June 30, 2022, Gap Inc. will no longer require any of its employees to wear face masks or require proof of COVID vaccination, unless required by local or state/provincial mandates or as part of Gap Inc’s quarantine guidelines after being exposed to or testing positive for COVID. Therefore, please disregard any language in any job posting that refers to Gap Inc.’s face mask and proof of vaccination policy as said policy is no longer effective.