DESIGNER

Department Specific Job Functions

• Understand the PORSCIA customer and her dynamic needs therefore designing sexy, sellable, and exclusive products for the sophisticated, fashion conscious customer.
• Sketch designs, with specific technical details communicating clearly the vision of the product to the designer responsible for the category. Review the sketches and continue with the rest of the process on approved designs.
• Follow designs through the different stages; set up, pattern, sewing, and all the fittings from first to production, merchandising presentation, updates and changes requested by merchants, production.
• Know the competition better than they know us. Regularly shop the PORSCIA stores as well as the competitors to know our relative strength/weakness. Anticipate their next move and the general merchandising direction for future seasons.
• Maintain communication and good relations with vendors, resources, factories, and peers.
• Assign a style number and create the set up in Filemaker imputing complete and accurate information.
• Obtain ACT code for trims used in the style.
• Organize and follow through on ordering the trims, dyeing of trims and fabrics, send outs such as embroidery, screen, or laser.
• Sketch style in illustrator, importing it into the scan folder, filemaker system and stylemaster.
• Research and offer different techniques and alternative ways to achieve the desired result while lowering the cost and turn time.
• Track styles as they go from pattern to sampling while troubleshooting and problem solving along the way.
• Attend fittings with the designer and make necessary revisions in Filemaker due to changes.
• Communicate the development and progress of the style to the designer regularly.
• Forward sample to production for costing once the sample is ready.
• After costing, tag the sample with appropriate information for the next merchandising meeting.
• Prepare boards before each merchant meeting for overall view including sketch/photo, cost, swatch, style #, description and delivery turn around time.
• Update Filemaker per above changes/updates.
• Follow through the whole process once again to reflect all changes made to the style, cost, color, fabric, trim, etc.
• Once orders are issued, update Filemaker with P.O.#, and IN DC date.
• Follow up with the sample once the orders are issued to make sure that the pattern maker/ production manager/fabric and trim buyers are all clear about the style and its components for a smooth production process.
• Develop and maintain good working relationship with vendors to aid in the efficiency of creating product.
• Help the designer with inspiration boards, color board, and fabric and trim boards.
• Create and develop color standards for vendors to use when developing prints, and send outs.
• Meet deadlines for meetings, and presentations.
• Develop and maintain good working relationship with production/pattern/sewing departments.
• Participate in design meetings/best seller meetings.

Department Specific Qualifications

• Degree in fashion design preferably from a Design Technical Institution.
• 5-10 years of experience in design assistance; preferably contemporary.
• Previous experience of design and product development for a vertical company.
• Experience working in a design team environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in organizational time management 
• Passion for design and the product.
• Ability to take feedback in a group environment, and stay objective.
• Accurate data entry capability; familiar with and use Illustrator 7.0, Excel, and Adobe Photoshop 5.0.