Job Title: Design Director

Job Location: Hazlet, New Jersey (Mon-Thursday On-Site / Friday Work-from-Home)

Please note: We are not entertaining remote candidates for this position. 

About Artisan 34:

Artisan 34 stands as a premier Home Decor & Textile Company, setting a fresh new standard in the industry. In simple terms, we develop, design, and merchandise soft home & décor products marketed across a broad portfolio of our brands, to corporate retailers across North America. Our vision is to become the manufacturer of choice for on-demand home furnishings. By running our business under the values of positive people and purpose, our simple aim is to make doing business with us effortless and intensely satisfying.

Job Description

Artisan 34 is seeking a Director of Design who will act as a creative visionary to elevate the company’s brand image and take storytelling to the next level This is an excellent opportunity for a savvy and seasoned creative leader to make a true impact within the company. This position will oversee and lead art direction & product design and work closely with our founder. You will play a pivotal role in overseeing the development and execution of effective, on brand and strategically creative endeavors. You have strong experience working with cross-functional teams across Product Development, Production, & Sales, for all retail and brand-based projects.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Hold ownership over the look-and-feel, tone and manner of creative projects, continually striving to elevate the brand while ensuring thoughtful and consistent execution across all points of brand contact.
• Motivate, inspire, and lead a robust team of creatives. Serve as a hands-on leader that drives quality and fosters a culture of innovation and pushing boundaries to create elevated and on brand assets.
• Develop visual standards/codes (including art direction, tone and manner, graphics, and presentation formats)
• Develop and implement the design strategy, aligning with the overall brand vision and business goals.
• Oversee the entire design process, from concept to final product, ensuring all designs are innovative, trend-right, and on-brand.
• Conduct extensive research on fashion trends, market competition, and consumer insights to inform design direction.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including product development, merchandising, production, and sales, to ensure cohesive product execution.
• Ensure the development of high-quality prototypes and samples that meet design specifications and brand standards.
• Concentrated focus on retailers such as Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Belk and Macy’s.
• Continuously seek out new design techniques, materials, and technologies to keep our line at the forefront of the industry.

Our Best Fit Candidate Would Have:

• Minimum of 10-15 years of experience in apparel design, with at least 5 years in a leadership or directorial role
• Experience preparing presentations for Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Belk and Macy’s.
• Experience working with elevated licensed and national brands.
• Experience in developing fabric / embroidery designs with overseas suppliers in China and India
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and external partners.   
• Knowledge of the dying/printing process for textiles with a strong creative eye.
• Proven experience managing a team of designers and coordinating print processes on both a creative and production level.
• Previous overseas travel to China/India mills a plus
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, or a related field.

Culture

We strive to create a positive and inspiring culture, that values a strong work ethic with people enjoying the work that they're doing with the people and the environment they're in. Our goal is to shape a work environment which encourages partners to engage with one another and make Artisan 34 a place they look forward to working each day.

Benefits

Artisan 34 offers Health, Dental, and Vision plans, along with other benefits such as Paid Time-Off for Vacation and Holidays, Work-from-Home Friday’s, Summer Fridays, and a Business Casual Environment. Hours are Monday-Friday 8 ½ Hours a Day.