Job Information
Newell Brands Director Design Marmot & ExOfficio in Rohnert Park, California
Newell Brands is a leading $8.5B consumer products company with a portfolio of iconic brands such as Graco®, Coleman®, Oster®, Rubbermaid® and Sharpie®, and 28,000 talented employees around the world. Our high-performance culture, unparalleled curiosity about the world around us, and talented people fuel our success. Our culture is enabled through our core values which guide all we do and how we win as One Newell. They are Integrity, Teamwork, Passion for Winning, Ownership & Leadership.
The California base pay range for this position is from $179,550 to $219,450. Salary will be based on prior experience related to the skills required for this position.
For over 50 years, Marmot has been committed to building a community for everyone who values outdoor fun above all else, with the best gear and apparel for outdoor athletes of every ability. From tents and apparel designed to conquer the world’s highest summits, to fleece, sportswear and rainwear that combines performance and style, Marmot gear and apparel help everyone experience the joy of outdoor life.
The Global Design Director (“GDD”) will set the strategic design, tone, look and feel direction across Men’s and Women’s technical and casual apparel for Marmot and intimates for ExOfficio. This leader will also partner with our equipment design team in Michigan; products include tents, sleeping bags, and packs. Additionally, this leader oversees our Technical Design Team.
This leader owns the aesthetic for all garment/equipment and on shelf appearance. The GDD will create a “red thread” through all our products that marry back to the brand ethos and positioning. In conjunction with the merchandising leader, the GDD will help create product segmentation strategies that sync up to our consumer and channel differences.
Additionally, the GDD will utilize external and internal resources to forecast future trends/direction and maintain knowledge of trend, color, market, technology through research, market visits and trade/fabric shows. This leader will have a working knowledge of how to solve consumer problems through superior design and technology.
The GDD will develop a creative pipeline and development process to implement the brand product strategy from creative concept to product implementation. Provides creative leadership, direction and inspiration to the Design and Product Engineering Teams in a manner that achieves key business metrics. The GDD is responsible for developing and mentoring current staff and hiring industry best design and technical talent.
The GDD is a key member of the leadership team.
Responsibilities:
Responsible for the execution of design creations, driving execution of designs across multiple categories and brands, partnering with VP/GM and the Merchant team on creative direction and designing apparel, accessories and equipment that is on brand, performance driven, and meets the needs for the target consumer.
Accurately determines, anticipates, and validates future trends, technologies, and cultural drivers to expand and grow the assortment across all categories.This trend forecasting applies to outdoor and overall apparel trends.
Defines, champions, and protects the brand aesthetic.Communicates a design vision and strategy for the brands.
Leads all print and graphic needs (logowear) for that connects to a distinctive look for the brand.
Drives innovation and technology into commercially viable product within the parameters of the Brand strategy.
Accurately assesses the overall competitive market landscape to design brand appropriate apparel, accessories and equipment that reflects an understanding of the target consumer.
Accountable for determining seasonal and core color palette that is commercially minded and appropriate for the outdoor consumer.
Accountable for driving the business by building profitable, market right, consumer product that is in line with the department and company financial targets.
Ensures product design execution is within target costs and margin requirements.
Tracks the design and development schedule to ensure a timely completion following the predetermined product development calendar.
Fully responsible for identifying and executing opportunities for process improvement.
Accountable for all trim and garment label designs that add significant hanger appeal.
Understands and respects all cross functional areas.Manages dynamic key relationships that enable business results.
Seeks sales and NPD data recaps that help guide creative choices.
Researches and communicates industry and design trends that will influence the design process (with a technical bent).
Fully comprehends total outdoor industry market leaders and competitor key items that drive performance.
Manages the execution and alignment of all designs and collections appropriate to the product and design brief.
Manages the performance of all category design staff including any freelance designers plus the Technical Design team.
Develops a high performing team; accountable for inspiring and leading a team to enhanced performance.Leads by example using internal metrics and filters.
Key Qualifications:
University or four-year college degree in apparel/fashion design or equivalent experience
A minimum of 10 years of professional experience designing apparel, accessories and equipment in the outdoor, active wear or sportswear industries.Strong record of people management.
Two years at the Director level or Five years at the Management level.
High degree of proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign using a Mac computer
Strong knowledge of technical and design needs to build exceptional product focused on fabric, fit, details, and margin.
Practical knowledge of other functions such as sourcing, production, sales, marketing and merchandising preferred
Extensive industry and consumer trend knowledge in the outdoor industry
Experience working with factories and Product Development teams, technology and construction innovation.
Proactive and passionate approach to driving fresh, innovative thinking from product concept to final execution
Ability to react and rally team in real time based on changing market conditions.
Presentation/speaking skills – able to present and sell to all levels of the organization as well as the customer, communicating a clear and inspiring vision
Able to precisely communicate and negotiate time frames verbally and in writing in a multi-cultural environment
Demonstrated collaboration, interpersonal influence, and teamwork skills (maintains effective communication and working relationships)
Strong ability to influence key stake holders and teams.
Results oriented while exhibiting great energy and resourcefulness.
Proficiency in all Microsoft programs on a Mac
Able to travel up to 15% of the year, including international travel to factories.
_Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Rubbermaid, Sharpie, Graco, Coleman, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Yankee Candle, Paper Mate, FoodSaver, Dymo, EXPO, Elmer’s, Oster, NUK, Spontex and Campingaz. We are focused on delighting consumers by lighting up everyday moments. Newell Brands and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers and comply with applicable employment laws. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled are encouraged to apply.