Assistant Designer

Job Title: Assistant Designer, Sweaters

Position Overview

The Assistant Designer, Sweaters (JCP) supports the design and development of knitwear collections from concept through production. This role assists the design team in creating brand-right, trend-informed sweaters that align with seasonal strategies and business objectives. Working closely with Design, Merchandising, Technical Design, Product Development, and Production, the Assistant Designer helps execute sweater styles while gaining exposure to all phases of the product development lifecycle.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about knitwear, with a strong interest in design, yarn innovation, and emerging fashion trends.

Key Responsibilities

Design Support

• Assist in the development of seasonal sweater collections, including silhouettes, stitch patterns, textures, stripes, jacquards, and novelty knit constructions
• Create design sketches, technical flats, stitch layouts, and presentation materials using Adobe Illustrator
• Support the development of seasonal mood boards, color stories, trend research, and concept presentations
• Conduct trend, market, and competitive research to identify emerging opportunities in knitwear, fashion, and lifestyle categories
• Assist in yarn sourcing, stitch development, and color review processes
• Organize and maintain inspiration materials, design references, and seasonal files

Product Development

• Assist in the creation and maintenance of tech packs, including stitch information, gauge specifications, yarn details, construction notes, measurements, and trim applications
• Support communication of design intent to overseas and domestic vendors throughout the development process
• Review knit-downs, strike-offs, proto samples, and fit samples for accuracy and design consistency
• Attend fit sessions; document comments, track revisions, and support sample approval processes
• Monitor development calendars and sample deliverables to help ensure adherence to key milestones and deadlines
• Assist with sample tracking, data entry, and development follow-up as needed

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Merchandising to support seasonal assortment development and product strategies
• Collaborate with Technical Design to ensure fit, construction, and knit feasibility align with design intent
• Work closely with Product Development and Production teams to support vendor communication, costing initiatives, and sourcing requirements
• Participate in seasonal milestone meetings, line reviews, and design presentations
• Support the coordination of requests and follow-up actions across cross-functional partners

Operational Support

• Maintain organized design files, seasonal documentation, yarn libraries, stitch archives, and development records
• Ensure accurate and timely updates to PLM systems and internal tracking tools
• Assist with line plan maintenance, assortment updates, and seasonal development charts
• Support sample organization, showroom preparation, market setup, and presentation needs
• Help ensure all design deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Knitwear Design, Textile Design, or related field preferred

Experience

• 0–2 years of apparel design experience, including internships, with exposure to sweaters or knitwear preferred
• Experience working in a fast-paced retail, wholesale, or fashion environment is a plus
• Portfolio demonstrating design capabilities and creative thinking required

Skills

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
• Familiarity with PLM systems is a plus
• Basic understanding of knitwear construction, yarns, stitches, and garment development processes
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaboration tools such as Miro
• Familiarity with AI-powered design and ideation tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Vizcom) is a plus
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy

Personal Attributes

• Passion for fashion, knitwear, and emerging trends
• Creative mindset with a strong eye for color, texture, pattern, and silhouette
• Eager to learn and develop technical and design expertise
• Highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented
• Collaborative team player with a positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a deadline-driven environment
• Demonstrates curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to take ownership of assigned projects

Physical Requirements (if applicable)

• Ability to lift and move garment samples, yarn cones, and sample boxes as needed
• Ability to attend fit sessions, line reviews, seasonal meetings, and market appointments
• Ability to travel occasionally, if required, for vendor visits, market research, or seasonal business needs

What you get:

If eligible, we offer a competitive benefits package including medical/dental/vision, term life insurance, paid vacation/holidays*, and 401(k) with Company match. All associates are eligible for an associate discount on all Catalyst Brands merchandise. For paid holidays, associates who are eligible for paid vacation (MTO) are also eligible for eight paid holidays during the calendar year. All store hourly associates scheduled to work on a designated holiday will receive additional compensation. *For paid vacation days, as well as eligibility requirements for other benefits, please visit www.catalystbrandsbenefits.com

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