Merrell Apparel, a division of Merrell, a category leader in Outdoor Footwear, is seeking a senior-level, Women’s technical outerwear and performance APPAREL DESIGNER to join a small, dynamic design team in Portland, Oregon.

Qualified candidates should have 5+ years of performance apparel design experience in the outdoor market, a proven sense of trend-right style and a desire to shape the future of outdoor apparel design. If you believe you’ve got the skill set above and a passion for outdoor activity, we want to hear from you!
This is a ground-floor opportunity to make your mark with a new, global collection of performance and casual apparel.

Role / Responsibilities:
- Pro-active role through entire product design process: research, design concept presentation, illustrations, fit and fabric/trim/print direction, development of specification pack, critique of sales samples.
- Keen ability to follow a product brief and design to a specific target FOB.
- Capacity to imagine, capture and express a brand’s essence through unique product concepts, design and styling.
- Research global markets to identify new trends, fabrics, techniques, etc.
- Ensure that the product is consistent with market trends as well as business strategy.
- Assist fit sessions in office and in factory.
- Drives value-engineering through design process: consolidation of fabrics, zippers, trims.
- Accountable for delivering the garment fit as briefed by the Product Line Manager.
- Works closely with fabric manager to select innovative and commercial fabrications.
- Collaborate with factories, suppliers and other team members to achieve 'state of the art' opportunities for product innovation.
- Basic comprehension of the environmental challenges within each product concept (fabric, construction, dying, etc).
- Partner with Design Engineers to ensure technical packages are accurate and complete.
- Partner with Sourcing group to drive supply chain efficiency.

Background / Competencies:
- 5+ years design experience in Performance / Casual Sportswear
- Degree in Apparel Design or related field.
- Strong computer skills and ability to clearly communicate design concepts.
- Skilled in Pattern-making, draping, fabrication, garment fit/construction.
- An understanding of merchandising as it relates to Sell-in and retail.
- Ability to create on-strategy product designs within set timelines for multiple seasons.

Attributes:
- Optimistic. Entrepreneurial.
- Team player.
- Results oriented.
- Resilient. Rebounds from difficulty.
- Persistent curiosity. Visionary
- Strong networking ability
- Accepts accountability
- Comprehensive industry knowledge: retail, wholesale aspects.
- Understands all parts of the product development process.
- Thrives on working in a lean, efficient organization.

Qualified applicants please send your information through Malakye.com or to:
employment@wwwinc.com