Head Designer – Juniors Wovens & Knits

Job Title:

Head Designer – Juniors (Wovens & Knits)

We are seeking an experienced Head Designer for Juniors to lead the Design Team, product development, and execution across Juniors wovens and knits, including active wear, sweaters, tops and dresses. This role is deeply managerial as well as creative. Computer/design skills are mandatory.

Position is ideal for a hands‑on design leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, trend‑driven environment and will manage, direct, and elevate a multi‑disciplinary team.

The Head Designer will be responsible for meeting deadlines for multiple projects at the same time and setting timeline direction for the team, overseeing design and technical execution, overseeing fittings of all first samples that come in from factory, and ensuring the product is on‑trend, commercially viable, and delivered on time.

• Own the overall design direction for Juniors wovens and knits, including active, cut‑and‑sew, and dresses
• Follow trend direction set by design director for all categories.
• Lead team to design and execute all categories.
• Oversee tech designers to ensure that spec coordinate with cads that were presented to buyers on styles they selected.
• Although design and colors are set by design director suggestions and imput based of your researh are welcome.
• Familiarize yourself with our customer base who are ross, rainbow, burlington, fashion nova, family dollar, dollar general, etc.
• Prepare presentation boards on a regular basis based on category.
• Research trends, silhouettes, fabrics, color, and key items relevant to the Juniors customer
• Translate trends into cohesive, commercially successful seasonal collections
• Review and approve all designs, ensuring consistency with brand DNA and market positioning
• Partner with merchandising to align design with sales goals, price points, and assortment needs
• Shop stores to see what is happening at retail

• Lead and manage a team of approximately 10, including:
• 4 Designers
• 3–4 Technical Designers (wovens & knits)
• Provide clear direction, mentorship, and development for designers and technical team
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance team culture
• Manage workflow, deadlines, and workload distribution across the team
• Conduct regular design reviews, fit reviews, and feedback sessions

• Oversee design through production lifecycle: concept, sketch, fabric selection, fittings, and final approval
• Partner closely with Technical Design to ensure fit, construction, and quality standards are met
• Guide teams on fabric selection, trims, and construction techniques appropriate for Juniors
• Ensure timely execution of line development calendars and production milestones

• Work closely with Merchandising, Production, Sourcing, and Sales teams
• Support presentations to internal teams and external partners as needed
• Collaborate with production to address costing, fabric availability, and timeline challenges

• 10+ years of experience in Juniors design, with a strong focus on wovens and knits
• Proven experience designing Juniors wovens, knits active wear, cut-and-sew, and dresses
• Prior experience managing and leading design and technical teams
• Strong understanding of Juniors trends, customer, and fast-moving market dynamics
• Deep knowledge of fabrications, construction, and fit for both knits and wovens
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to balance creativity with commercial execution
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, PLM systems, and Microsoft Office

• A true design manager and leader, not just an individual contributor
• Hands‑on, decisive, and confident guiding a large team
• Trend‑driven with a strong commercial eye
• Collaborative, organized, and deadline‑oriented
• Comfortable owning a category and driving it forward creatively and strategically

Salary $120,000-$150,000