Job Description

Who We Are:

Kontoor Brands is a portfolio of three of the world’s most iconic lifestyle, outdoor and workwear brands: Wrangler®, Lee® and Helly Hansen®. Kontoor Brands is a purpose-led organization focused on leveraging its global platform, strategic sourcing model and best-in-class supply chain to drive brand growth and deliver long- term value for its stakeholders.

Job Posting:

Associate Designer, Lee Men's Tops

, Associate Designer Men’s Tops:

This position reports to the Senior Design Manager and is responsible for leading all design activities related to Male Bottoms, Non-denim. This position also leads the design of Lee product lines supporting all accounts targeted by Male Tops with product innovation that meets end result retail needs but stays true to Brand DNA. This role will lead bottoms design on cross functional work streams to drive new, trend right and innovative product consistent with the merchandising brief. Responsible for developing the team competencies and expertise needed to meet organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Creative Vision. Responsible for translating the Category Brand creative vision into trend-relevant Male Bottoms products for multiple markets while thinking through the brand lens.
• Strong Individual Contributor: Creative, skilled designer who develops and delivers innovative, brand right products which meet lifestyle category and consumer business unit needs in cross functional work streams.
• Competitive Positioning: Owns creative aesthetic from concept to consumer for all product and assortment needs. Researches emerging trends and styles and key influencer markets to strengthen brand image and maintain competitive positioning against key brand consumer targets, across US and Europe markets.
• Brand Consistency: Ensures all assortments deliver consistent color, trend, and creative direction across targeted lifestyle to ensure brand positioning and brand equity objectives are intact.
• Style Ownership: Review and critique prototypes presented by product development. Discuss and strategize style changes and line enhancements with Merchandising.
• Issue Resolution Review samples and resolve outstanding issues with design and costing. Troubleshoots product development related problems in collaboration with cross functional partners to maintain calendar deadlines.
• Market Ready Presentation Manage the presentation of the collections to design leadership and merchandising partner in milestone meetings and sketch reviews during the development process.
• Fabric and Fit Select new and compelling, yet appropriate fabrics in line with price targets that elevate the brand and differentiate Lee from competitive marketplace. Leverage centers of excellence concerning all matters of fabric and fit. Research and develop new fits. Direct fit intent and attend all product fittings. Design, develop and approve all tops solid, yarn dyes and prints.
• Special Makeup Respond to key account assortment needs beyond initial seasonal line to maximize account opportunity. Generate and follow up on quick turn ideas for small amount of chase developments and co-creation models.

Skills for Success:

• Skilled at managing product with Design, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, CAD, flat sketching skills, and Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of print and YD pattern development.
• Experience with Ned Graphics/ Aquario a plus.
• Good eye for color.
• Familiar with 3D design software a plus, not required.
• Knowledge of woven & knit fabrics and washes, tops garment construction, and any specific processing and treatments relevant to male tops.
• Understanding of global sourcing of fabrics.
• Strong collaborator, works well across functions.
• Familiar with mens tops product market in US across markets from mass to premium.
• Excellent presentation, story-telling & communication skills.
• Proven ability to translate trends to specific targeted consumer needs.
• Ability to learn new software, tools and processes quickly.

Experience/Education:

Years of Related Professional Experience: minimum 2 years experience in apparel design for a brand and product category.

• People management experience desired, ability to clearly direct and mentor lower level designers.

Educational/Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in fashion or apparel design

Special Physical and/or Mental Requirements:

• Some traveling required, mainly domestic in US, possibility of international travel

Leadership Competencies Expected for this Role

Emerging Leader

Global Agility – Open to diverse views, adapts to new ways of working

Purposeful Integrity – Demonstrates ethical behavior, follows through on commitments

Strategic Foresight – Understands team goals, asks strategic questions

Customer Centric Innovation – Suggests improvements from customer feedback, tries new methods

Urgency for Impact – Act quickly and take ownership of outcomes

Bold Accountability – Own your work and deliver consistently strong results

Empowered Collaboration – Share ideas, listens well, collaborates with peers

Why Kontoor Brands?

At Kontoor, we offer a comprehensive benefit package to fit your lifestyle. Our benefits are crafted with the same care as our products.

When our employees are healthy, secure, and well, they bring their best selves to work. Kontoor Brands supports you with a competitive benefits program that provides choice and flexibility to meet your and your family’s needs – now and in the future. We offer resources to support your physical, emotional, social, and financial wellbeing, plus benefits like discounts on our apparel. Kontoor Brands also provides four weeks of Paid Parental Leave to eligible employees who are new parents, Flexible Fridays, and Tuition Reimbursement.

We are proud to offer a workplace culture centered on equitable opportunities and a sense of belonging for all team members. Here we have a global workforce of high-performing teams that both unlocks our individual uniqueness and harnesses our collaborative talents.