Design Director, Outerwear

* This is a hybrid role based out of our HQ in Richmond, CA. In‑office expectation is 4 days a week*

We’re seeking a Design Director for Outerwear at Mountain Hardwear to provide leadership and creative direction to our category design team and may lead the creative vision for MHW’s outerwear category. You will work closely with the Product Creation Team to design products for assigned product category(s) on a worldwide basis. Initiates new product concepts to meet the needs of our consumers, resulting in sales and growth for the company.

Manages the design team in addressing modifications on carryover products.

• Lead the design team with a focus on continuously providing innovative, best in class product design solutions for review and potential implementation. Maintains goal of continuous product innovation and improvement.
• May participate as a senior member of a select product creation team to address early design and development concepts.
• Works collaboratively across the product creation team to define and develop new processes that enhance team efficiency in the commercialization process of innovative and inline products.
• Actively develops and grows knowledge of all garment construction techniques including the latest industry developments. Provides input across the product creation team based on being a technical expert in the assigned product area.
• Provides best in class design packages which include sketches, illustrations of construction details, and multiple product views.
• Leads by example in promoting a professional and positive team environment. Provides leadership to the design team through mentoring, coaching, and championing innovation in products and processes.
• Uses market research, industry experience, knowledge of the Mountain Hardwear consumer, and brand positioning, to provide a honed product feedback filter across the product division.
• Provides design/concept boards to communicate design and color direction.
• Presents trip reports which contain visuals and written summaries of current trends pertinent to our industry.
• Leads by example in the effective utilization of the product creation team’s resources and works as a team member to ensure all timelines are met.
• Presents category products and design/merchandising information during key meetings and line presentations.
• Provides leadership and mentoring to the design team, providing back‑up support as needed, and continually demonstrating the ability to be a team leader.
• Works closely with merchandising and design directors in the evolution of the line plan and actively works to promote the seasonal product vision and brand positioning across the product division.
• Collaborates with PD to create and develop products that meet the merchandising product brief, brand vision, and target cost.
• Coordinates with trims developer to propose trims, graphic applications, prints and/or patterns (if applicable), and label designs.
• Participates in the prototype process for assigned category(s). Includes initiating sample requests by working closely with the Associate Designer and Product Developer(s), reviewing samples and directing revisions as needed throughout the development cycle.
• Attends fit sessions and categorical team meetings as needed to facilitate process, revisions, and finalization of products.
• Works closely with Materials Research to define new materials to research and source.
• Actively develops knowledge of all aspects of material technology and pursues continuous improvement.
• Ensures continuity of seasonal fabric story for the product division.
• Works closely with Product Graphics to communicate seasonal product themes and identify product graphic needs per style.
• Leads by example in ensuring that communication with the graphic teams is clear and effective and any product changes are communicated on a timely basis.
• Works closely with Sourcing to create styles that hit target costs.
• Works to ensure cohesive color merchandising by proposing color palettes for assigned category(s) and participates in the seasonal color palette creation, including defining lab dip needs and color‑way development on a…