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Designer / Product Development – Handbags, Backpacks & Small Leather Goods

Position Summary

The Designer / Product Development role is responsible for supporting the development of seasonal handbag, backpack, and small leather goods collections from concept through production. This position partners closely with the Design Director and cross-functional teams to create innovative, commercially viable products while ensuring all development milestones and deadlines are met. Responsibilities include researching and identifying seasonal trends, developing new product concepts, improving existing designs, creating presentation boards, preparing sales materials, developing colorways and material stories, and merchandising product assortments across multiple brands. Experience designing handbags, backpacks, wallets, crossbody bags, totes, travel accessories, and small leather goods is preferred.

This role manages the product development process by communicating daily with overseas factories, preparing detailed tech packs, sending sourcing and development communications, tracking sample progress, maintaining accurate PLM records, and ensuring development calendars remain on schedule. The Designer / Product Development professional reviews pre-production samples for quality, construction, functionality, and accuracy; communicates approvals and revisions to factories; prepares samples, materials, and hardware standards for milestone meetings; submits seasonal licensing approvals; and collaborates closely with Design, Production, Sales, and Licensing teams to ensure successful execution from concept through production.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field and 3–5 years of experience in handbag, backpack, and/or small leather goods design and product development. Candidates should possess strong creative and technical skills, an excellent eye for color, materials, hardware, trend, and construction details, and be proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; experience with a PLM system is a plus. Success in this role requires exceptional organization, time management, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accurate documentation, meeting deadlines, communicating proactively, and ensuring all development materials, factory communications, and product information are complete and accurate.

Responsibilities

• Develop seasonal handbag, backpack, and small leather goods collections from concept through production.
• Research and identify seasonal trends, silhouettes, colors, materials, trims, hardware, and construction techniques.
• Create new product designs and improve existing product assortments.
• Partner with the Design Director to merchandise product assortments by brand.
• Develop colorways, material combinations, print artwork, and graphic applications as needed.
• Create presentation boards, line sheets, and sales materials featuring new product concepts.
• Communicate daily with overseas factories regarding product development, sample status, revisions, and estimated completion dates.
• Send sourcing and development communications to overseas partners.
• Prepare detailed tech packs for assigned accounts.
• Review pre-production (PPS) samples to ensure all design, construction, hardware, material, and functionality requirements have been met; communicate approvals and revisions to factories.
• Maintain accurate style information and development updates within the PLM system.
• Finalize adopted styles in PLM for Production.
• Submit seasonal approval packages to licensors.
• Partner closely with Design, Production, Sales, and Licensing teams throughout the development process.
• Track sample progress and proactively follow up on outstanding items to ensure development milestones are achieved.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in handbag, backpack, and/or small leather goods design and product development.
• Experience designing handbags, backpacks, wallets, totes, crossbody bags, travel accessories, and small leather goods.
• Strong creative, technical, and organizational skills.
• Excellent eye for color, materials, hardware, trend, and construction.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Experience working with a PLM system is a plus.
• Strong understanding of handbag construction, materials, hardware, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve product development and sample issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong time management and project management abilities.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Positive, collaborative team player with strong attention to detail.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Meet all product development deadlines and proactively communicate any potential delays.
• Ensure assigned product development projects are completed accurately from concept through production.
• Maintain timely and professional communication with internal teams, overseas factories, and licensors.
• Ensure tech packs, development emails, and factory communications are complete and accurate before release.
• Keep PLM records, style information, and development status updated throughout the development process.
• Track sample progress and follow up with factories to maintain development timelines and ETAs.
• Review pre-production samples thoroughly and communicate clear, detailed comments or approvals.
• Maintain organized digital files, server folders, and product development documentation.
• Take accurate meeting notes and clarify assignments whenever necessary.
• Demonstrate proficiency in PLM, including creating style numbers, updating development information, and preparing required documentation.
• Consistently contribute innovative product ideas while maintaining brand integrity, functionality, quality, and commercial viability.