Apparel Designer

VARSITY SPIRIT, A VARSITY BRANDS COMPANY - THE DRIVING FORCE IN SPIRIT ACROSS CHEER, DANCE AND BAND

For over 50 years, Varsity Spirit has been the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team and performing arts. Focused on safety, entertainment and traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit’s 5,000+ employees are dedicated to celebrating school spirit. A leader in apparel innovation, educational camps, clinics, and competitions, Varsity Spirit impacts more than a million athletes each year.

 

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

At Varsity Spirit, the safety and wellbeing of the young people we serve is of the utmost importance. Since our inception 50 years ago, we have been – and remain – steadfastly committed to doing our part to create a safe and positive environment for our participants’ physical, emotional, and social development, and promoting an environment free from abuse and misconduct. Varsity has a zero tolerance for abuse in its programs, events, and associated business activities. Varsity is committed to reporting all suspicions, allegations, and incidents of abuse in full accordance with local laws and reporting requirements. Learn more at .

WORK TYPE: Onsite

LOCATION DETAILS: 640 Shiloh Rd, Plano, TX 75074

WORK HOURS: Monday-Friday; 8am-5pm CST

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: Less than 5%

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

An Apparel Designer at Varsity Spirit is a key member of the design team responsible for creating innovative and trendsetting collections for Varsity. The role involves leading the design process, translating creative visions into practical designs, and ensuring that the products meet the brand's aesthetic, quality, and market requirements. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams and play a significant role in elevating the brand's activewear offerings. 
 
Designers shapes the brand's design direction, create impactful collections, and contribute to the brand's success in the activewear market. If you are a passionate and experienced designer with a love for activewear and a desire to lead and inspire, we invite you to apply and be part of our dynamic and innovative design team. 

A Designer is committed to the team’s performance at Varsity Spirit directly enhancing the student experience, capturing the essence of our athletic and performance communities with each design through demonstration of the Varsity Brands Company Values:

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Conceptualize and develop creative designs that align with the brand's identity, target audience, and market trends.  Explore new and unique silhouettes, materials, colors, and patterns to differentiate the brand's activewear collections.  Stay abreast of the latest fashion trends, fabric innovations, and activewear design techniques.  Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation.  Collaborate with the VP of Design and cross-functional teams to create seasonal design collections.  Develop detailed design specifications for prototypes and production.  Ensure that all designs meet high-quality standards and adhere to fit and sizing guidelines. Work closely with the NPI team/Patterns/Technical Team to provide drawings, pattern and fit direction, and fabric information. Resolve any fit or construction issues during the development process.  Understand and maintain the brand's aesthetic and design language in all women's/men’s activewear products.  Collaborate with the VP of Design and brand team to ensure consistent storytelling and branding across collections.  Present design concepts and ideas to internal stakeholders and key decision makers.  Effectively communicate design details to the product development and production teams.  Manage and drive multiple design projects from conceptualization to finished product, adhering to calendar deadlines. 

QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS/ ABILITIES

Extensive knowledge of garment construction, pattern making, sewing techniques, fabrication, and trim.  Very strong color and style sensibility for apparel in athleisure, and activewear spaces to support brand.  Excellent organizational skills with ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects simultaneously to help meet team deadlines.  Strong attention to detail in design and project management.  Ability to create design solutions for multiple deadline–driven assignments simultaneously. A keen understanding of the needs, motivations, and aspirations of our audiences, so that you can speak to them in the most effective, compelling way.  Strong time management while balancing daily and long-term tasks, and multiple workstreams moving forward simultaneously.  Excellent verbal and visual communication skills.  Strong social skills with ability to cultivate cross-functional partnership and an open, positive, and collaborative environment. 

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE

3-5 years of apparel design experience.  Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design or another relevant field.  Extensive knowledge of garment construction, pattern making, sewing techniques, fabrication, and trim.  Expert-level proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Microsoft Office, and PLM. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job operates in a professional office environment. Largely a sedentary role with some filing requiring the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending or standing on a stool as necessary. The ability to sit or stand for long periods through meetings and while operating office equipment, PC’s, laptop, telephone will be required.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; drive, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

During events, the ability to stand and walk for long periods of time (5 hours plus) is required. The ability to communicate with customers and colleagues using the following but not limited to radio, walkie talkie, text message and email is required. The ability to lift, bend, push, pull and manipulate equipment that is a minimum of 30 lbs. is required.

#LI-MC1

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.

JOIN THE BEST TEAM IN SPORT & SPIRIT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our two divisions – BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit – and our network of 6,000+ employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with a wide range of educational institutions and club and professional sports to transform the student journey in SPORT and SPIRIT.

OUR VALUES

Service - We lead with heart. We champion community.

Passion - We love what we do. It fuels our purpose.

Integrity - We do what we promise. We own our actions and decisions.

Respect - We earn it by giving it. Because everyone deserves it.

Innovation - We never stop striving to be better. For ourselves and our community.

Transparency - We are committed to openness and honesty in everything we do.

OUR BENEFITS

We are committed to putting you and your families first. For benefits eligible roles, we offer a variety of choices and costs as well as program enhancements that align with our responsibility to elevate the employee experience. Some of our offerings include:

Comprehensive Health Care Benefits HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities Wellbeing Program 401(k) plan with company matching Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays Varsity Brands Ownership Program Employee Resource Groups St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.

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