The Rhoback Team is looking for an experienced Apparel Designer. This individual should have an incredible eye for color, fit, and design. They will be a key player in executing the entire product design process while also helping with areas of product development for all Rhoback product offerings. This individual will maintain and develop long-term supplier relationships built on the utmost trust and integrity. This person should be excited to bring new designs and product ideas to the team and constantly be looking to improve product offerings.

This position will report directly to Rhoback’s founders and will be located in historic Charlottesville, VA. Individual will be the first member of Rhoback’s growing product and design team and will be responsible for all design deliverables both big and small. Individual should be ready and energized to keep up with Rhoback’s incredible growth trajectory in the activewear market.

Responsibilities:
• Constantly seek inspiration for new designs, gathering ideas from team members and founders on an ongoing basis
• Create seasonal mood boards using developed knowledge of the brand, seasonal themes, on-brand color pallets, and a keen awareness of cultural trends and events
• Routinely research the activewear, athleisure, and golf markets on an ongoing basis, monitor both technical and style trends in the market, and incorporate trends in design creation
• Create new designs, colors and print artwork for Rhoback’s current product line (namely performance polos, Q-Zip pullovers, hats, t-shirts, vests) from conception through final styling
• Coordinate with and manage freelance artists (as needed) to create artwork for unique designs (i.e., drawings for print polos)
• Create graphic designs for all products in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to be used in Tech Packs
• Create and maintain Tech Pack for each production run (~4 times per year for each of Rhoback’s main product categories), garnering feedback and changes from founders
• Create and manage product trim decoration artwork and specs including logo, back ridge logo, labels, and hang tag detail
• Collaborate with Inventory Planning/Finance team to gain visibility on growth targets, MOQs, and cost estimates each season to organize and place POs with manufacturers for each Rhoback product line
• Provide feedback and approve to spec all lab dips, swatches, and trims for ongoing production runs with manufacturing team on a daily basis by referring to lab dip/swatch/trim library, tech packs, and pantone books
• Be in constant communication with suppliers as product runs move throughout the pipeline to shipment, serving as main point of contact with manufacturing partners
• Maintain and meticulously organize lab dip, swatch and trim library for easy reference
• Maintain and organize product spec sheets and fit for easy reference and lead spec sheet/fit tweaks if needed based on customer feedback and brand direction
• Demonstrate a strong technical understanding of soft goods materials and fabrics and willingness to become expert, particularly in performance fabrics
• Ideate and innovate with team members and founders on new Rhoback product lines, research new product lines, help with outreach to new manufacturing partners, and assist in new product development process including developing specs and helping set up new supply chains
• Assist prototype process by gathering input from focus groups and founders and providing feedback to manufacturers on prototypes
• Gain deep understanding of the Rhoback brand, vision, sales performance by product, color palette, and Rhoback customer