Job Description

Inspired by Hard Work

At Carhartt, the values of hard work—dependability, honesty, and trust—are rooted in the legacy of our founder, Hamilton Carhartt. His commitment to serving hardworking people continues to inspire everything we do. Guided by his legacy and our mission—We serve and protect all hardworking people by building durable products—we remain dedicated to upholding these principles in every decision we make and every product we create.

Position Details:

Title: Associate Designer- Men’s Outerwear & Accessories

Department: Product Design

Reports to: Maura Morgan

Location: Dearborn, MI

Job Classification: Hybrid

Job Summary

The Associate Designer brings ideas to life by translating consumer needs, market opportunities, and brand vision into innovative product solutions. Collaborating across Design, Merchandising, and Product Development teams, this role assists with the end-to-end creative journey, from consumer research and market inspiration through concept creation, sketching, rendering, prototyping, and final refinement. With a passion for solving real-world problems, the Associate Designer assists in the creation of durable, functional, and meaningful products that empower hardworking consumers and shape the future of the brand.

Representative Responsibilities

• Assists in the creation of consumer-focused designs for their assigned category, or subcategory that meets or exceeds the needs of our consumers.
• Collaborates with Insights Team as well as Consumers to create relevant functional designs. Plans and participates in job sites, consumer insight surveys, round tables, etc.
• Supports seasonal direction, researching to maintain and develop knowledge of the industry including materials and relevant technologies. Plans and participates in market trips, tradeshows to gather product and material insights.
• Sketches designs in both 2D and/or 3D for both presentation and technical specification
• Partners with Design Resources Art Team to build seasonal art concepts, direction for category needs.
• Partners with cross-functional teams to ensure seasonal direction is followed to deliver highest quality product while meeting all GTM milestone dates.
• Partners with Product Development and Raw Material teams to deliver on seasonal direction within raw materials, color & wash development.
• Assists in-season handoff of designs to the Product Development and Technical Design Teams
• Manage and maintain Design-owned PLM responsibilities
• Attends fit sessions, supporting design point of view and documenting any edits needed
• Presents new ideas and concepts within design team and cross-functionals, builds story telling skills, supports presentations as needed at key meetings and milestones. Partner with Design Resources Presentation team to build and set up for all key meetings.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design, or related field. Equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

Required Skills & Experience

• 0-1 yrs of work experience in apparel design
• Knowledge of apparel design and garment construction required
• Fabric, trim, and color knowledge within the Apparel and Textile industry.
• Proficiency in design software and tools, including Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop), and 3D modeling/rendering tools (e.g. CLO3D)
• Experience with Web PDM/ PLM System or similar
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to develop strong business relationships.
• Excellent written and oral communication skill with all levels including management and external partners
• Outstanding organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize workload and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent attention to detail
• Manage/Create visual tools under the time and budget set for GTM Milestones (Design Resources focused)

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• This position has a Hybrid location: Associate will work on-site regularly as needed for work activities.
• Office environment: open office setting and collaboration workspaces.
• Light lifting up to 10lbs
• Willing to work some weekends if necessary
• Domestic and international travel required (up to 20%)
• Carhartt is a tobacco free workplace.

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This position offers a comprehensive suite of medical, dental, and vision insurance for associates and their dependents. In addition to healthcare coverage, Carhartt provides short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, an employee assistance program, and a 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions. Employees can also benefit from paid time off and designated paid holidays.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

All associates are required to understand and act in accordance with the Carhartt Core Values. Carhartt reserves the right to change, modify, suspend, interpret or cancel in whole or in any part, the job duties outlined above at any time and without advance notice to the employee.