1

Apparel Director Jobs in Renton, WA (NOW HIRING)

Act as a mentor to junior members of the Design team, with opportunity for a direct report ... BA or equivalent coursework in Apparel preferred * 3-4 years of experience in Apparel Design

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Key Account Director to lead and manage ... Background in consumer product industries such as apparel, home & furniture, outdoor sports, or ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Apparel Director information

See Renton, WA salary details

$20.1K

$82.5K

$183.3K

How much do apparel director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for apparel director in Renton, WA is $82,519.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,388.00 and $108,091.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Apparel Director do?

An Apparel Director oversees the design, development, and production of clothing lines for a brand or company. They are responsible for setting the creative vision, managing design teams, and ensuring collections align with market trends and the brand’s identity. Apparel Directors also collaborate with marketing, merchandising, and production departments to ensure products meet quality, budget, and deadline expectations. Their role requires strong leadership, trend forecasting, and business acumen.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Apparel Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Apparel Director, you need a deep understanding of fashion trends, textile knowledge, product development, and a relevant degree in fashion, design, or business. Familiarity with design software (like Adobe Creative Suite), PLM systems, and supply chain management tools is typically required. Strong leadership, creative vision, and effective communication skills help drive team success and brand identity. These qualifications are crucial for ensuring cohesive product lines, market relevance, and overall business growth in a competitive industry.

What is the difference between Apparel Director vs Fashion Designer?

AspectApparel DirectorFashion Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in fashion, business, or related field; experience in apparel industryBachelor's degree in fashion design or related field; strong portfolio
Work EnvironmentOffice setting, overseeing teams and productionDesign studio, creative environment
Industry UsageUsed in corporate, retail, and manufacturing sectorsPrimarily in fashion houses, brands, and freelance work

The Apparel Director focuses on managing apparel lines, overseeing production, and aligning business goals, while the Fashion Designer is primarily responsible for creating new clothing designs and collections. Both roles require fashion-related credentials, but their daily tasks and work environments differ significantly.

What are some typical challenges an Apparel Director faces when coordinating between design, production, and marketing teams?

An Apparel Director often navigates the complex task of aligning creative vision with practical production capabilities and market trends. Coordinating between design, production, and marketing teams can present challenges such as balancing innovative ideas with budget and timeline constraints, resolving communication gaps, and ensuring the final product resonates with target customers. Successful Apparel Directors foster collaboration across departments, anticipate potential roadblocks early, and maintain flexibility to adapt to changing consumer demands and industry trends.
What job categories do people searching Apparel Director jobs in Renton, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Apparel Director jobs in Renton, WA are:
What cities near Renton, WA are hiring for Apparel Director jobs? Cities near Renton, WA with the most Apparel Director job openings:
Mens Apparel Designer - Denim

Mens Apparel Designer - Denim

Zumiez

Lynnwood, WA • On-site

$77K - $82K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Zumiez rating

4.9

Company rating: 4.9 out of 10

Based on 172 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

84th of 102 rated fashion retailers


Job description

Reports to: Senior Designer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Department: Product and Brand Services (PBS)
Location: Zumiez Home Office - Lynnwood, WA
Effective Date: 06/06/2026
Zumiez and Product and Brand Services (PBS)
Zumiez is a leading specialty retailer of apparel, footwear, accessories, skateboards, and snowboards for young men and women who want to express their individuality through the fashion, music, art, and culture of action sports, streetwear, and other unique lifestyles. Headquartered in Lynnwood, Washington, Zumiez operates over 700 stores in North America, Europe, and Australia. We operate under Zumiez in North America, Blue Tomato in Europe, and Fast Times in Australia.
The Zumiez Product and Brand Services (PBS) team is responsible for over 30 unique brands spanning various categories, including men's and women's apparel, accessories, and snow/skate hardgoods. These brands are comprised of private label, licensed, and owned brands.
Position Purpose
Zumiez PBS is looking for a creative self-starter who is crucial in supporting the Mens Design team while mentoring junior team members throughout the creative process. This position will manage the design and development of the Mens Denim Bottoms business. This role reports to the Senior Designer leading all Mens woven categories. Our ideal candidate is an energetic team player who can create and execute creative direction and lead in project timeline. A designer that can remain flexible, consistent, and detail-oriented while thriving in a fast-paced environment.
Job Duties & Responsibilities:
  • Using both trend and competitor research to identify apparel trends that supports the long-term growth of our brands
  • Design compelling assortments for assigned categories - Mens Denim Pants and Shorts
  • Develop seasonal innovation in the category through Fit, Wash and Fabric development
  • Partner with Senior Designer to manage and lead multiple projects, prioritizing daily workloads and meeting established deadlines
  • Effectively communicator, including keeping stakeholders in the loop on expectations, changes/updates, and deadlines
  • Act as a mentor to junior members of the Design team, with opportunity for a direct report
  • Complete projects independently based on creative direction
  • Confidently present new style concepts and product offerings in meetings with buying team
  • Partner with Product Merchandiser & Buying Team to remain well-informed of performance and department initiatives related to assigned categories
  • Assortment sketches, TP & BOM building and maintenance through the entire production process
  • Develop strong partnerships with cross-functional teams: Production & Sourcing, Product Development, Technical Design, Buying and Design Leadership
  • Actively identify areas of improvement in processes and proactively find solutions
  • Other duties assigned by the Manager

Requirements:
  • BA or equivalent coursework in Apparel preferred
  • 3-4 years of experience in Apparel Design
  • Denim Design and Development experience preferred
  • Desire to work in a collaborative environment and build strong relationships with business partners & teammates
  • Proficient in Illustrator, Photoshop, and Office 365
  • Current with the fashion industry, trends, and brands relevant to Zumiez
  • Able to give, receive, and apply constructive criticism
  • Ability to present design ideas professionally
  • Strong project management and organizational skills with experience in calendar planning and file management
  • Excellent computer illustration skills
  • Experience with branding and the ability to adhere to established brand guidelines
  • Ability to remain detail-oriented while working in a fast-paced environment
  • A balanced mix of creative and technical know-how
  • Contribute to the Zumiez culture of empowerment, competition, teaching, learning, recognition, fairness, honesty, and fun
  • Able to travel domestically and internationally for approximately 3-4 weeks each year.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
Ability to sit/stand in a stationary position in an office environment for extended periods and work on a Mac or PC without limitations. Must be able to distinguish colors and inspect the material on the product.
Benefits
  • Salary Range $77K - $82K yearly
  • Bonus Potential
  • Health, Vision, and Dental insurance, following an initial wait period
  • Basic life insurance and supplemental voluntary life insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Sick Leave, following an initial wait period
  • Paid Vacation, following an initial wait period (10 days of accrued paid vacation)
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Zumiez merchandise discount
  • 401(k) plan after meeting eligibility requirements
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) after meeting eligibility requirements
  • Open, casual, pet-friendly office environment
  • Employee Discount on Zumiez product
  • On-site skate park, on-site cafeteria

This job description is not all-inclusive and is only intended to describe the general nature of the work. All job responsibilities are essential job functions. Job responsibilities and requirements are subject to modification to accommodate individuals with disabilities reasonably. The Company reserves the right to modify the job description as it deems necessary for proper business operations.
Apparel Designer - Denim
Reports to: Senior Designer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Department: Product and Brand Services (PBS)
Location: Zumiez Home Office - Lynnwood, WA
Effective Date: 06/06/2026
Zumiez and Product and Brand Services (PBS)
Zumiez is a leading specialty retailer of apparel, footwear, accessories, skateboards, and snowboards for young men and women who want to express their individuality through the fashion, music, art, and culture of action sports, streetwear, and other unique lifestyles. Headquartered in Lynnwood, Washington, Zumiez operates over 700 stores in North America, Europe, and Australia. We operate under Zumiez in North America, Blue Tomato in Europe, and Fast Times in Australia.
The Zumiez Product and Brand Services (PBS) team is responsible for over 30 unique brands spanning various categories, including men's and women's apparel, accessories, and snow/skate hardgoods. These brands are comprised of private label, licensed, and owned brands.
Position Purpose
Zumiez PBS is looking for a creative self-starter who is crucial in supporting the Mens Design team while mentoring junior team members throughout the creative process. This position will manage the design and development of the Mens Denim Bottoms business. This role reports to the Senior Designer leading all Mens woven categories. Our ideal candidate is an energetic team player who can create and execute creative direction and lead in project timeline. A designer that can remain flexible, consistent, and detail-oriented while thriving in a fast-paced environment.
Job Duties & Responsibilities:
  • Using both trend and competitor research to identify apparel trends that supports the long-term growth of our brands
  • Design compelling assortments for assigned categories - Mens Denim Pants and Shorts
  • Develop seasonal innovation in the category through Fit, Wash and Fabric development
  • Partner with Senior Designer to manage and lead multiple projects, prioritizing daily workloads and meeting established deadlines
  • Effectively communicator, including keeping stakeholders in the loop on expectations, changes/updates, and deadlines
  • Act as a mentor to junior members of the Design team, with opportunity for a direct report
  • Complete projects independently based on creative direction
  • Confidently present new style concepts and product offerings in meetings with buying team
  • Partner with Product Merchandiser & Buying Team to remain well-informed of performance and department initiatives related to assigned categories
  • Assortment sketches, TP & BOM building and maintenance through the entire production process
  • Develop strong partnerships with cross-functional teams: Production & Sourcing, Product Development, Technical Design, Buying and Design Leadership
  • Actively identify areas of improvement in processes and proactively find solutions
  • Other duties assigned by the Manager

Requirements:
  • BA or equivalent coursework in Apparel preferred
  • 3-4 years of experience in Apparel Design
  • Denim Design and Development experience preferred
  • Desire to work in a collaborative environment and build strong relationships with business partners & teammates
  • Proficient in Illustrator, Photoshop, and Office 365
  • Current with the fashion industry, trends, and brands relevant to Zumiez
  • Able to give, receive, and apply constructive criticism
  • Ability to present design ideas professionally
  • Strong project management and organizational skills with experience in calendar planning and file management
  • Excellent computer illustration skills
  • Experience with branding and the ability to adhere to established brand guidelines
  • Ability to remain detail-oriented while working in a fast-paced environment
  • A balanced mix of creative and technical know-how
  • Contribute to the Zumiez culture of empowerment, competition, teaching, learning, recognition, fairness, honesty, and fun
  • Able to travel domestically and internationally for approximately 3-4 weeks each year.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
Ability to sit/stand in a stationary position in an office environment for extended periods and work on a Mac or PC without limitations. Must be able to distinguish colors and inspect the material on the product.
Benefits
  • Salary Range $77K - $82K yearly
  • Bonus Potential
  • Health, Vision, and Dental insurance, following an initial wait period
  • Basic life insurance and supplemental voluntary life insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Sick Leave, following an initial wait period
  • Paid Vacation, following an initial wait period (10 days of accrued paid vacation)
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Zumiez merchandise discount
  • 401(k) plan after meeting eligibility requirements
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) after meeting eligibility requirements
  • Open, casual, pet-friendly office environment
  • Employee Discount on Zumiez product
  • On-site skate park, on-site cafeteria

This job description is not all-inclusive and is only intended to describe the general nature of the work. All job responsibilities are essential job functions. Job responsibilities and requirements are subject to modification to accommodate individuals with disabilities reasonably. The Company reserves the right to modify the job description as it deems necessary for proper business operations.

What Zumiez employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Zumiez logo

About Zumiez

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Zumiez, headquartered in Lynnwood, WA, US, operates within the retail industry, specifically focusing on skateboarding, snowboarding, and motocross equipment, apparel, and accessories. Founded in 1978 by Thomas Campion and Gary Haakenson, the company initially catered solely to the local surf and skate crowd but eventually expanded its reach both nationally and globally. Today, Zumiez has more than 600 stores worldwide. The company prides itself on providing localized merchandise that resonates with local youth culture, underscoring its commitment to fostering a sense of community and connectedness. The core mission of Zumiez is to offer consumers the best selection of products relevant to their lifestyles and interests in an exciting and fast-paced environment.

Industry

Retail

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Lynnwood, WA, US

Year founded

1978