Design Director – Seasonal Accessories in Rosemont, Illinois at Randa Corp

At RAA, we trust and believe in our associates to fashion their future.

Randa Apparel & Accessories is one of the world’s leading fashion clothing and accessories companies, operating across 11 countries with a portfolio of 30 iconic brands, including Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Totes, Isotoner, and Columbia Sportswear. With over 100 years of industry leadership, RAA continues to produce exceptional products and services, delighting customers and empowering partners worldwide. From the #1 dress pant brand in North America to the #1 belt and wallet, RAA sets the standard for excellence and innovation

We empower our associates, create growth opportunities at every level, and strive to make RAA the best place to build a career.

Want to work at a diverse, equitable, & inclusive workspace where associates are encouraged to bring their true, authentic selves?

Apply today and fashion your future with RAA.

Location: Rosemont, IL

Salary: $103,000 - $115,500

Required: Must submit a portfolio of work during the application process.

Role Summary

The Design Director, Seasonal Accessories manages the business for all design across Gloves, Headwear, and Cold Weather categories for Men’s and Women’s. This role owns the seasonal creative strategy and translates brand direction, customer needs, consumer insights, market trends, and competitive intelligence into commercially viable, brand-right assortments.

This leader is accountable for elevating design quality, improving speed to market, strengthening product storytelling, and ensuring design direction supports assortment architecture, channel strategy, margin goals, and go-to-market priorities. The Design Director leads a high-performing team while building foundational AI, digital tool, and process modernization capabilities within the design function.

Role Scope

Categories: Gloves, Headwear, Cold Weather for Men’s and Women’sOwns seasonal design strategy from concept through sample approval and pre-production readinessLeads the Design team and partners closely with Merchandising, Sales, Packaging, Sourcing, and Offshore Sourcing teamsSupports internal, licensor, and customer-facing presentations, including seasonal trend direction, concept boards, line review materials, and product storytellingPartners with sourcing and factory teams to leverage supplier capabilities, develop materials, improve sample execution, and resolve design, cost, quality, and timing challengesAdvances responsible design practices, including material efficiency, sustainable material exploration, product durability, and design choices that support product integrity goals

Key Responsibilities

Creative Strategy & Product Direction

Own seasonal creative strategy across assigned categories, translating brand direction, customer needs, market trends, and competitive insights into commercial assortmentsSet the design vision for trend, color, materials, construction, product storytelling, and key seasonal statementsReview and approve concepts, CADs, materials, color palettes, and product details to ensure brand alignment, quality, and differentiation

Product Development, Materials & Execution

Lead design from concept through sample approval and pre-production readiness, ensuring creative intent, specifications, costing, timing, and quality expectations are metPartner with Sourcing, Offshore Sourcing, and factory teams on feasibility, materials, construction, sample execution, cost, and qualityEnsure design-to-sourcing handoffs are clear, complete, and actionable

Business, Customer & Presentation Alignment

Align design direction with Merchandising, Sales, licensors, and customers on assortment architecture, pricing, margin goals, channel needs, and go-to-market prioritiesLead design storytelling for internal, licensor, and customer presentations, including trend direction, concept boards, line reviews, and product narrativesUse business performance, retail feedback, and customer insights to inform future design strategies and product recommendations

Team, Process & Innovation

Build and develop a high-performing design team with clear standards, priorities, expectations, and accountabilityImprove workflows, seasonal documentation, sample review processes, and cross-functional alignment to increase speed, clarity, and executionAdvance AI, PLM, CAD tools, digital libraries, and responsible design practices to support efficiency, innovation, sustainability, and product integrity

Key Success Metrics

Customer and licensor adoption of seasonal assortmentsAchievement of seasonal milestones, calendar deadlines, and sample readiness targetsAccuracy and quality of samples, CADs, product specifications, and design handoffsCost and margin alignment across assigned categoriesStrength of product storytelling, presentation readiness, and go-to-market supportDesign quality, brand consistency, product differentiation, and commercial viabilityTeam performance, engagement, retention, and talent developmentProgress advancing AI, PLM, CAD, digital library, and standardized workflow adoptionMeasurable improvement in process efficiency, cross-functional alignment, and execution speedProgress supporting responsible design, material innovation, product durability, and sustainability initiatives

Qualifications

10+ years of accessories, apparel, or consumer product design experience, preferably in seasonal accessories, cold weather, headwear, gloves, or related categoriesAbility to balance creative vision with cost, margin, quality, production feasibility, and customer needsExperience partnering with Merchandising, Sales, Product Development, Sourcing, Packaging, licensors, customers, global offices, and factory teamsTravel domestically and internationally approximately 30% to collaborate with Randa offices, sourcing partners, and factoriesProficient with Adobe Creative Suite, PLM, CAD tools, digital design libraries, and emerging AI-enabled design toolsWhat we Offer:

Competitive base salary.Hybrid work schedule.Three weeks of paid time off within the first year of employment.Company provided life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and paid parental leave. Health, vision, and dental insurance options with low employee contributions.  Commuter benefit plan.  Optional supplemental life insurance, pet insurance, and accident & critical illness insurance offered at a group discount rate. 401(k). Unlimited access to our award-winning online fitness and wellness program.A great place to work, fast-paced, with terrific career growth