Manager, Apparel Design | | Knit Products (Cut and Sew) | Fashion & Apparel | Onsite (Montreal-based) | $100k - $130k + Bonus (15%)

The Company

This organization is a North American fashion retailer known for creating stylish, accessible clothing designed for modern women. With a long-standing presence in the industry, they develop and distribute contemporary apparel through an integrated retail model that blends physical storefronts with a growing digital commerce platform. Their success is rooted in a strong customer-focused approach, delivering fashion-forward collections that combine quality, value, and current trends. With hundreds of locations across Canada and the United States, along with established online shopping experiences, they continue to expand their reach while maintaining a strong commitment to creativity and product innovation.

The Role

They are looking for a Manager, Apparel Design to oversee the development of apparel collections and support the leadership of the design team. Reporting to senior leadership within the design organization, this role plays an important part in translating creative direction into commercially successful product lines that reflect the brand’s identity. The successful candidate will guide designers through the development process while collaborating closely with merchandising, sourcing, and production partners to ensure collections are both trend-relevant and operationally feasible.

The Responsibilities:

• Interpret brand direction and seasonal design strategy, providing clear guidance to the design team to develop products aligned with brand standards and customer expectations.
• Ensure the design team follows internal development processes and timelines, working closely with cross-functional partners to keep projects on track.
• Monitor global fashion trends and competitive activity to identify opportunities for innovative product ideas and fabric-driven design initiatives.
• Collaborate with merchandising partners, concept teams, and other design leaders to ensure product assortments align with seasonal plans and overall brand vision.
• Work with sourcing and production teams to support the technical development of collections while meeting quality, cost, and timeline requirements.
• Provide day-to-day leadership to designers, offering feedback, coaching, and support to help them deliver strong creative outcomes.
• Oversee the creation of cohesive collections that reflect the brand aesthetic while respecting price architecture and target customer expectations.
• Set priorities and performance expectations for the design team while maintaining a collaborative and creative working environment.
• Stay informed about industry trends and evolving product development practices to help improve team processes and execution.

The Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Fashion Design or a related discipline.
• At least 7 years of experience in fashion design and product development, including experience leading projects and supporting junior designers.
• Approximately 4–6 years of experience working with apparel manufacturers, with the ability to design with fabric capabilities and production considerations in mind.
• Experience working within mid-sized or large organizations, with exposure to international or multi-market product development considered an asset.
• Strong understanding of the full product development lifecycle, including sourcing strategies and production capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to product initiatives that balance creativity, commercial performance, and customer needs.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across design, sourcing, and other cross-functional teams.
• Highly organized, proactive, and results-driven, with the ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently.

Why Apply

This is an opportunity to join a growing fashion organization that values creativity, teamwork, and professional development. They offer a competitive compensation package that includes performance-based bonuses, a retirement savings program with employer contributions, flexible benefits coverage, employee merchandise discounts, exclusive product sample sales, and a flexible vacation policy.

Individuals who are passionate about fashion design and enjoy collaborating with cross-functional teams to bring compelling collections to life are encouraged to apply and contribute to the continued evolution of this dynamic retail brand.

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