SUMMARY

Perry Ellis International, a fashion and lifestyle company, distributor, and licensor of a broad line of high-quality men’s and women’s apparel and accessories.  Our corporate headquarters are located in Miami, Florida. We also have offices located in New York, Portland, Tampa, this position is for our Portland office. We are looking for someone who is detail-oriented, can handle multiple projects to join our team. This position assists the Merchandising and Operations team in the development and execution of product in accordance with agreed-upon design, pricing, and brand strategy. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Merchandising and Product Management:

• Own and maintain data management files with a high level of accuracy and communicate updates and changes to cross-functional partners. ( Brand Comply, MMX, Costing Log, NuOrder, Features & Benefits)
• Support Merchandising team with product briefs, line plan creation and sample organization
• Assist in consumer and market research which could include surveys, focus groups, online & in-store research, etc
• Merchandising projects as needed
• Support team for all Go-To-Market preparation and activities.

Sample Management:

• Manage Sample Order sheets
• In charge of sample closet and making sure all samples are accounted for and organized
• Oversee that loaned samples are returned in a timely manner

Product Development Operations 

• Maintain development calendar
• Product Development projects as needed
• Assist with labels and hang tag development

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent listener and extremely detail-oriented
• Ability to prioritize and multitask
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills
• Ability to interact with varying personalities

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

• BA or BS Degree
• 2 years Product development, Product creation or operations experience
• Proficient in MS Office and Google
• Knowledge of retail math

SUMMARY: The Designer is responsible and accountable for the entire design process  participating in all phases of the design development process from initial concept to production. The right candidate should be proactive in their approach and is hard working.

 RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Actively participates in the conceptual development of product lines (i.e., sells ideas/concepts and convinces others to adopt a course of action).
• Responsible for the entire product design process to include market research, inspiration boards, designing, sketching,and creating CADs, with a focus on Wallets, Mens Jewelry, Travel Kits and Belts. 
• Ensures that product is consistent with market trends and  business strategy,
• Ability to update best sellers and to reinvent next best seller product
• Ensure that the product meets the price point, tells a strong merchandising story and meets SKU requirements for the brand
• Ability to structure and design high perceived value product with price point in mind
• Detail oriented
• Draws silhouettes and illustrations in Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Responsible for communicating design details through accurate detailed flat sketches
• Attends all WIP (work in progress) meetings with a good knowledge of what is happening with the products
• Work with the Design Operations team to ensure PLM packages are accurate and complete.  
• Works directly with Design Director, Sales, and Sourcing on a daily basis.
• Some travel may be required.

SKILLS:

• High level of creativity with a passion for design
• Must be proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Knowledge or Experience  in Leather Goods such as Belts, Wallets, handbags or shoes
• Ability to learn new computer technology including 3-D design and Nedgraphics
• Strong sense of trends and taste level
• Strong organizational, time management, communication and presentation skills. 
• Ability to present in front of an audience

Salary offered will be commensurate with experience. For this New York based position, the expected base salary is $90,000 - $100,000/year. 

Job Title: Assistant Designer

About Us:
Perry Ellis International, Inc. represents a diverse portfolio of lifestyle apparel brands. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries owns and licenses nationally and with a brand portfolio of over 40 Brands domestically and internationally recognized brands including: Perry Ellis®, Original Penguin® by Munsingwear®, Laundry by Shelli Segal®, Rafaella®, Cubavera®, Ben Hogan®, Savane®, Grand Slam®, John Henry®, Manhattan®, Axist®, and Farah®. The Company enhances its roster of brands by licensing trademarks from third parties, including: Nike® for swimwear, and Callaway®, PGA TOUR®, and Jack Nicklaus® for golf apparel.

Position Summary:
As the Assistant Designer you will manage the administrative and follow-up aspects of the product design process, ensuring timely and accurate execution of the line from initial concept to final production handoff. You will actively support the design team's creative vision by preparing technical sketches, managing approvals, and attending technical fitting directives.

Key Responsibilities:
Design Development Support: Actively participate in the creative process by providing recommendations regarding seasonal themes, edits to the line, and new concepts.
Technical Sketching & Specification: Responsible for the precise design details of products, including preparing and consistently updating technical sketches (in Adobe Illustrator) and specifications.
Product Consistency: Assist in ensuring that the product design is cohesive, trend-relevant, and aligned with Perry Ellis's established business strategy and brand aesthetic.
Fittings & Execution: Lead or actively participate in technical design fittings, clearly defining and communicating go-forward directives to ensure updates are executed accurately and on time.
Design Package Completion: Ensure the product design package is complete, accurate, and handed off on time to the product development team, technical design department, and vendors for the creation of prototypes and salesmen samples.
Approval Process Management: Monitor and manage the approval process for material and color components, including lab-dips, knit-downs, strike-offs, and handlooms.

Qualifications:
A college degree in Fashion Design is required.
Required mastery of technical design software, including Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
Familiarity with advanced design technology (e.g., Ned Graphics, PLM systems) is a plus and demonstrates an ability to learn.
Strong design and conceptual skills with a thorough knowledge of silhouettes, fabrication, color ways, sewing techniques, graphics, and trim.
The ability to think three-dimensionally and visualize the final garment from a swatch or sketch to the body.
Excellent ability to identify, combine, and approve colors effectively within the collection.
Strong presentation and verbal/written communication skills to clearly convey design directives and influence others.

Personal Attributes:
Possesses a refined aesthetic and a keen eye for quality and style relevant to the Perry Ellis brand.
Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong time management abilities necessary to meet tight product development deadlines.
A self-starter who takes responsibility for design details and actively ensures the completeness and accuracy of all handoffs.
Proven ability to be an effective team player who collaborates seamlessly with cross-functional partners (e.g., Merchandising, Product Development, Tech Design) to achieve shared goals.

Position Summary:

As the Designer for Southern Proper, you will be responsible for the complete creative process, from initial concept to final product execution. Reporting to the Design Director, you will be a key player in shaping the brand's identity, developing original designs, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to bring collections to life.

Southern Proper leans into a Classic Traditional aesthetic—think heritage prep and polished casual rather than high-performance athletic wear. You will drive the design of our menswear collections, overseeing everything from trend research and color palette selection to providing fit comments and approving final samples. This role requires a highly creative designer who understands the nuance of licensed brands and can produce innovative, cohesive collections that align with our "classic" brand identity and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Creative Direction: Lead the design process from start to finish, including trend research, color palette selection, and mood board creation. You'll be responsible for generating Illustrator sketches and CAD designs that reflect a traditional, "lifestyle" aesthetic.
• Product Strategy: Partner with senior leadership to provide clear creative direction for fabric and print development. Ensure all products align with business goals, meet SKU requirements, and tell a strong merchandising story rooted in classic Americana.
• Collaboration & Presentation: Present new trends and collections to internal and external stakeholders. You will work closely with the merchandising team to define seasonal timelines and ensure creative and business goals are in sync.
• Product Execution: Oversee the approval of sales samples and provide fit comments to ensure each garment is production-ready. You will be responsible for staying on track with the time and action calendar to meet all deadlines.
• Mentorship: Help guide and mentor junior designers and interns, fostering a collaborative and creative team environment.

Qualifications:

• Experience: A minimum of 5+ years of professional design experience.
• Technical Expertise: Strong experience in Woven garment design is required (over knit-heavy backgrounds).
• Brand Background: Experience working with licensed brands is highly preferred
• Menswear: Proven track record in Menswear is a must.
• Software Skills: Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator/Photoshop) is a requirement.
• Industry Knowledge: A background with heritage or classic traditional brands is strongly preferred. While we are in the golf space, this role focuses on the "less golfy," lifestyle side of the brand.
• Garment Construction: A solid understanding of garment construction, specifically regarding wovens, is essential.

Personal Attributes:

• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and meeting tight deadlines.
• Creativity: A highly creative individual with a passion for traditional style and a portfolio showcasing a cohesive, polished body of work.
• Communication: Strong presentation skills and the ability to effectively communicate a creative vision to diverse audiences.

Position Overview:

As the Senior Merchandiser, you will be responsible for leading the product lifecycle, from initial concept through final sales execution. This includes managing the development calendar, executing merchandising and digital strategies, ensuring profitability through pricing and margin management, and maintaining a consistent brand image. You will serve as the central hub, collaborating with design, sales, planning, sourcing, and management to ensure a unified vision and drive market success.

Responsibilities:

• Strategy & Profitability: Execute seasonal line plans and merchandising strategies to build profitable assortments that meet internal margin goals. Manage national marketing strategies to finalize pricing and margins in collaboration with Sales, Planning, Sourcing, and Management.
• Product Development Management: Oversee and maintain the design calendar and development process to ensure timely completion of all products. Interface with all functional areas of the business (design, sales, sourcing, marketing) to maintain a common vision for the brand.
• Digital & Selling Tools: Drive the implementation and execution of digital merchandising strategies utilizing tools like 3D and NuOrder. Strategically develop compelling selling tools to enhance all digital presentations to customers.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Collaborate closely with the Design Director to monitor assortments and maintain a consistent brand image. Attend market appointments with accounts to present brand strategy and designs. Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates direct reports, encouraging proper growth and development of Assistant/Associate Merchandisers.
• Financial Oversight: Attend market appointments with accounts to present brand strategy and designs. Responsible for creating and adhering to annual budgets for samples and travel.

Qualifications:

• Experience: 5-7 years of professional merchandising experience is required.
• Education: A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Merchandising (or equivalent experience from a Design school) is required, though more years of professional experience can compensate.
• Analytical Skills: Proficiency in Retail Math, best seller analysis, and competitive landscape analysis.
• Core Knowledge: Deep knowledge of the product development process and brand management.
• Technical Skills: Proficient in MS Office and Google applications. Must be highly skilled in Excel/Google Sheets, including the ability to manipulate data.
• Project Management: Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stage projects under tight deadlines, demonstrating superior organizational and time management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Omnichannel Experience: Direct experience developing line plans and merchandising strategies tailored for both wholesale retail and Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) E-commerce channels.
• System Proficiency: Prior hands-on experience utilizing a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system to manage specifications, vendor communication, and development tracking.
• Global Sourcing Insight: Working knowledge of the international sourcing landscape, including an understanding of duties, tariffs, and the complexities of global supply chain lead times and logistics.
• Inventory & Planning: Familiarity with demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and sales planning processes typically managed by Planning and Inventory Control teams.

Personal Attributes:

• Strategic Thinker: Proven history of implementing new ideas and strategic process improvements that demonstrably enhance business performance.
• Communication & Presentation: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to confidently present a professional, data-driven product and trend assortment to both internal stakeholders and major external retail organizations.
• Collaboration: Highly skilled in navigating complex relationships, interacting effectively with varying personalities, and building strong cross-functional partnerships.
• Organizational Excellence: Exceptional attention to detail with a track record of successfully managing large amounts of information and prioritizing competing demands across multiple seasons simultaneously.
• Travel: Willingness to travel approximately 40% of the time (e.g., short 2-day domestic trips every other month and one week per year for market shopping/research).