Are you passionate about apparel? Do you enjoy being influential in developing and recommending apparel products that develop a brand? Are you craving a dynamic, collaborative, ever changing environment with an energetic pace?

Come and Join Us – a Company that CARES about our team! At Edwards, we care about our associates and our community. We know that our associates are the heartbeat of our company and we foster an environment that is fun, healthy and safe. Edwards is a family-friendly company that values a work-life balance for our associates and have a goal to create long-term employment by matching your talent to our opportunities.

What you can expect at Edwards - Edwards is a premier brand of quality apparel. We have 50+ years of successfully serving the uniform market with a collaborative work environment as the driver to reach it.

Job description

The position of Associate Merchandise Designer is critical to the development and growth of the brand. The position executes the merchandise strategy, works with cross-functional teams, and leads the market analysis, fabric sourcing, and merchandise design used to develop new products impacting the growth of the Edwards brand.

Here’s what you can expect in the way of specific job responsibilities as well as time allocation estimates:

Idea Generation and Product Design/Management (60%)

• Develop designs based on brand strategy and presents new product style recommendations to the Merchandise Manager and Management team for review and implementation. Designs to include trend presentations, storyboards, style details, colors, fabrics, project unit sales, target pricing, and costing
• Works with Merchandise Manager, Sourcing and Quality to source new fabric platforms and test fabric to ensure performance
• Works with Merchandise Manager and Product Development ensure product design including fit, finish, fabric and style, support and align with customer expectations and company financial goals. Provides necessary documentation required by product development. Updates PLM system as required

Business Analytics (25%)

• Develop plans for the management and sales of products through its life cycle – responsible for eliminating nonperforming products and reviewing new products one year after launch
• Participate in the annual cost/price review – review product costs from Sourcing, investigating competitive pricing, making recommendation of MSRP and Wholesale pricing
• Works with the Merchandise/Design Manager and Marketing on the development of new product sell sheets/training/rollout materials
• Work with the TMs and SAMs to conduct VOC (voice of customer) research in conjunction with new/existing product development

Communication and Product Merchandising (15%)

• Effective and strong communicator; excellent verbal and written skills
• Participate in the development of product catalogs – providing samples, merchandising catalog spreads, attending photoshoots to oversee product presentation, and providing product information on product features
• Participate in the development and presentation of product training
• Attend all relevant industry events such as trade shows

To be successful in this role, you need to have the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities:

• BS degree and minimum 3 years’ merchandising experience with an apparel manufacturer; preferably in men’s and women’s Image or Uniform apparel segment
• Demonstrated product development knowledge/experience including team leadership
• Ability to effectively interact with customers/potential customers, other department personnel, sales representatives and outside vendors in situations that require confidence, tact and resourcefulness
• Strong PC skills utilizing Design Tools, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher) and other programs to successfully achieve goals
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Aptitude to trouble-shoot and solve problems on a regular basis
• Detail oriented with flexibility to tolerate interruptions and shift from task to task as needed
• Must be able to work under pressure and deadlines
• Strong desire and ability to serve internal and external customers

Our ideal Associate Merchandise Designer would carry out their responsibilities while displaying the following key behavioral competencies:

• Precision Results Focused/Orientation – Focused on developing and recommending apparel products and achieving results that develop the brand. Maintains systems to ensure accurate and timely completion of tasks.
• Innovation – Proactively seek out opportunities to innovate and improve apparel products in order to provide increasing value and opportunity for the business.
• Engaging Problem Solver/Effective Communicator – Effectively communicate and problem solve any number of wide-ranging issues that impact the product and/or brand by utilizing proven systems, technologies guidelines and established organization relationships.
• Rapid Variety/Action Oriented – Apt in managing multiple tasks/responsibilities. Takes quick action to resolve unexpected issues that impact the product and/or brand while maintaining continuity.

Perks and Benefits at Edwards

• $500 Sign-on Bonus
• Great Paid Time Off package
• Excellent medical plan with options that best fit the associate and the associate’s family
• Dental (including orthodontia) and Vision Plan at NO COST to associates
• 401k (with company match of up to 5% - no vesting schedule)
• $5250 tuition reimbursement a year
• Company paid general membership Costco or Sam’s Club
• We like to celebrate! – Celebrations (both Company-wide and departmental) take place throughout the year for achieving milestones and goals