Sr. Apparel Color Designer

Senior Apparel Color Designer

Our client is seeking a Senior Apparel Color Designer with a refined eye for color fashion and deep experience executing color design within large, fast-moving apparel organizations. This role calls for a confident, highly collaborative designer who can lead color strategy from concept through execution, balancing creative vision with speed, precision, and commercial impact.

This role is a hybrid model in Beaverton, Oregon.

• Lead the planning and execution of apparel color design from initial concept through final product approval.
• Partner closely with design, product, development, materials, and merchandising teams to deliver cohesive, market-ready color solutions.
• Develop seasonal color direction, strategies, and stories aligned to category, consumer, and brand objectives.
• Own color timelines and deliverables, ensuring deadlines are met across multiple product initiatives.
• Research and translate market, lifestyle, and consumer insights into innovative and commercially relevant color palettes.
• Review samples and communicate revisions clearly to ensure accuracy and consistency through production.
• Create and manage color assets, line art, and supporting materials used throughout the product lifecycle.
• Present seasonal color direction and merchandising strategies to cross‑functional and leadership audiences.
• Mentor and guide junior designers, sharing best practices and elevating overall color design execution.
• Contribute to ongoing process improvement and the advancement of color design standards and tools.

• Bachelor’s degree required, with a minimum of 5 years of directly relevant experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Extensive experience in true apparel color design; color development‑only backgrounds are not a fit.
• Proven background working with large, high‑volume apparel brands in fast‑paced environments.
• Strong aesthetic sensibility with a demonstrated ability to deliver fashion‑forward, retailable color solutions.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft tools.
• Experience using Vizcom AI is a plus.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with comfort influencing cross‑functional partners.
• Deep understanding of consumer behavior, competitive landscapes, and color trend forecasting.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with precision, urgency, and attention to detail.
• Prior experience within a globally recognized athletic or lifestyle brand environment is strongly preferred.

As an eligible contract employee with Vander Houwen, you’ll have access to a full suite of benefits designed with your well‑being in mind. Our comprehensive package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability, and a matching 401(k) to help secure your future.

Vander Houwen is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E‑Verify. Vander Houwen does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal civil rights laws.