Design Manager-Speed To Market

About Z SUPPLY

Z SUPPLY is an established California women’s lifestyle apparel brand that leads the casual, comfortable style space. Located in the heart of Orange County, we are passionate about staying true to our roots and living a life of good vibes in and out of the office.

The M&D Design Manager STM will design assist in the development of Speed to Market products and SMU’s for DTC eCommerce. The Design Manager will have a keen understanding of new and emerging product and business trends as well as an in‑depth understanding of the Mainline product assortments to effectively identify Speed to Market and SMU opportunities for the brand. They will propose these needs to key leaders of the M&D team, eCommerce and Sales team on a weekly and monthly basis.

The Design Manager will also help vet, design, and develop the Speed to Market and SMU opportunities identified by the M&D and eCommerce team, covering New Emerging Trends, Best Seller updates, Wholesale/eCommerce SMU’s and Back in Stock styles. The Design Manager will ensure that the SMU needs for both the eCommerce and Wholesale teams are met and will work with the team to ensure deadlines are in line with the needs identified.

The Design Manager will work with the STM Developer to help manage the WIP, so it is kept current and up to date. Meeting on a regular basis with the M&D, Production team and eCommerce team to ensure all dates are current while keeping the M&D team informed on WIP. This position will keep STM and SMU design boards as well as STM/SMU Logs, accurate and up to date for key meetings.

They will maintain current details and share with the design team by supplying current Speed to Market and SMU designs monthly. Responsible for maintaining the Need it Now log and ensuring all dates are current and updated.

• Full Time – Salary Exempt
• Reporting to Design Director
• Position Location – Headquarters, Costa Mesa, CA
• Hybrid Schedule – 3‑4 Days in Office / 1‑2 Days Remote
• Not accepting applicants unable to work at headquarters

• Research and design multi‑seasonal, multi‑product lines for key account customers and eCommerce channel based on market needs and customer requests.
• Design STM Brand Elevation collaborations with key partners and customers.
• Facilitate SMU and Speed To Market needs by creating line drawings, art pages etc. for tech packs that fulfill STM and SMU objectives.
• Help to do tech packs when workload demands it.
• In‑depth knowledge of Seasonal mainline styles and product stories.
• Apply Z Supply “brand filter” to ensure all key market design trends align to brand and business/revenue needs.
• Collaborate with the team on conceptualizing, designing and executing special programs.
• Attend all best seller meetings across eCommerce and Wholesale to have an in‑depth knowledge and understanding of current and emerging selling and product trends within the business.
• Have an in‑depth knowledge of market, innovation, competition, and product trends.
• Ensure that all needs are met according to timeline needs.
• Proof and comment on all factory lab‑dips, strike‑offs, protos, etc., for proper execution of designs and production approval.
• Manage first fits through TOP’s with Tech Designer.
• Ensure timely completion of product in accordance with customer development calendar and track samples.
• Daily communication with factories along with STM Product Developer on development to ensure products execute correctly, hit targeted price and margin goals.
• Work with STM Product Developer to keep up log of all SMU styles.
• Work with STM Product Developer to ensure SMU’s meet all IGM and MOQ requirements.
• Maintain log and track production approval stages for all Need It Now / Late Add styles.
• Keep design sheets of STM and SMU skus and shares with Management team on a weekly and monthly basis for visibility.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

• 10+ years design experience;
  Senior Designer or Design Manager experience preferred.
• In‑depth understanding of the brand to ensure the right brand design aesthetic is met.
• Strategic thinker willing to push the envelope and bring fresh, innovative ideas to…