Sports Product Designer Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Implus Footcare, LLC is an industry-leading global consumer packaged goods company with 20+ brands in footwear accessories, hosiery, specialty running, outdoor, fitness and movement categories. Implus is headquartered in Research Triangle Park in Durham, NC with locations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, and South Africa. Our brand family includes Balega, Harbinger, TriggerPoint, Perfect, Sport-Brella, DryGuy, SKLZ, RockTape, Sof Sole, Stabil, Spenco, Yaktrax, Apara, Airplus, Sneaker Balls, Sof Comfort, Little Hotties, Forcefield. From insoles, socks, and shoe care to fitness equipment and seasonal accessories, Implus' products are sold in over 80,000 retail locations across North America and in over 70 countries worldwide.

At Implus we are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture. We encourage & value different perspectives and are seeking a Product Designer who shares our commitment to inclusivity and enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Our designers are artists, strategists, and dreamers—people inspired by the world around them to reimagine the world of tomorrow. Operating at the intersection of sport, performance, and fashion, they combine material science, color, style, and knit technologies to deliver highly innovative products.

The Product Designer is an essential, highly experienced individual contributor within the Everyday Hosiery team. In this role, you will be responsible for executing product design requests from seasonal concept through final sample approval across a broad and diverse category range, specifically focusing on socks, as well as accessories including slippers, cold weather/outerwear, and hair and beauty accessories. You will be responsible for designing and developing products for our owned brands, as well as creating and managing private label programs for major mass-market retailers.

With 4+ years of industry experience, you will bring an advanced understanding of technical sock and knit construction, translating macro trends and retail analytics into commercially viable assortments. Working closely with cross-functional partners in Merchandising, Product Development, and Sales, you will ensure design integrity is maintained throughout the product lifecycle. This position requires a self-starter who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and embraces creative and strategic problem-solving. This position is hybrid, with fluctuating in-office days based on business needs.

Essential Job Function:      

TREND + RESEARCH + INNOVATION

• Conduct regular global market research (digital, in-store, and trend services) to evaluate competitive strengths/weaknesses and identify white-space opportunities. 
• Synthesize macro fashion, lifestyle, and athletic trends into actionable sock and accessory strategies that align with both private label and branded DNA. 
• Translate seasonal and long-range product strategies into creatve assortments targeting goals defined in the product roadmap. 
• Review and analyze market performance data (sell-in and sell-out) to support future design ideation and optimize product styling. 
• Conduct comprehensive market analyses to understand how competitve landscapes segment across different retial channels. 

CAD AND CREATIVE DESIGN

• Create highly accurate, high-quality CAD designs, stitch structures, artwork layouts, and graphing using Adobe Illustrator and Creative Cloud programs.
• Translate 1D design concepts into clear visions for 3D execution, ensuring visual flow, color balance, and spatial harmony.
• Build compelling, highly visual design presentations, mood boards, and seasonal trend decks for internal milestone meetings and retailer presentations.
• Maintain exceptional attention to detail, meticulously proofing and checking CAD work and design packages for format, formulas, and technical accuracy.
• Actively contribute to brainstorming sessions, bringing a commercial fashion eye and a strong design point of view to guide product direction.

TECHNICAL DESIGN & MANUFACTURING

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of hosiery and knit constructions, stitch structures, needle counts, and performance/lifestyle yarn characteristics.
• Partner closely with Product Development and global vendors to ensure physical samples match original CAD designs, participating actively in prototype evaluations and critiques.
• Execute construction details while strictly designing to target retailer margin goals and cost structures.
• Prepare comprehensive product development packages and maintain active communication with PD and Merchandising to resolve production or costing challenges.

COLOR, MATERIALS, & WORKFLOW COORDINATION

• Oversee and manage the color process for assigned categories, utilizing Pantone standardizations and digital color approvals to ensure brand and design consistency.
• Maintain and organize the core design resources, including the digital design archives, the Color and Yarn Standard Library, and physical market/yarn samples.
• Maintain open, proactive, and transparent communication with key stakeholders regarding project priorities, workload, and GTM calendar deadlines.
• Actively participate in meetings, taking detailed notes and following up on outstanding design or technical issues.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with cross-functional partners (Merchandising, PD, Sales, and Commercial), serving as an advocate for design excellence.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Highly Motivated & Detail-Oriented: Meticulous and passionate about product styling, performance, and commercial fashion trends.
• Time & Project Management: Proven ability to plan, prioritize, and meet tight deadlines within a fast-paced product development calendar while balancing multiple projects.
• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to respond to design and production challenges with innovative, cost-effective, and commercially viable solutions.
• Global Perspective: Holistic understanding of regional retail needs, global market trends, and hosiery production processes.
• Adaptability: Flexible attitude with the ability to pivot quickly based on shifting market needs; operates successfully and positively in a constructive feedback culture.

Preferred Qualifications:     

• Experience: 4+ years of professional experience in apparel, knitwear, activewear, or accessories design, with a proven track record in socks, accessories, and/or performance knits. Experience designing for mass-market retailers and/or developing private label programs is highly preferred.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced to expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (especially Illustrator), with specific experience creating detailed technical CADs, stitch structures, artwork layouts, and graphing.
• Trend Tools: Experience utilizing professional consumer trend-forecasting platforms (such as WGSN) and interpreting retail market analytics.
• Collaboration: Strong history of working closely with cross-functional partners and presenting creative concepts in team settings and retailer meetings.
• Portfolio Required: A professional portfolio demonstrating advanced technical CAD abilities, cohesive color/trend ideation, structural knitwear understanding, and commercialized product collections.

Education & Experience:

A Bachelor's degree in Apparel/Textile Design, Industrial Design, or a related field of study, OR an equivalent combination of education and years of industry experience.

Relevant Working Conditions & Physical Demands:                 

• Observe/Identify: The ability to observe fine product details, colors, stitch structures, and physical samples/color standards at close range.
• Communicate: Ability to effectively communicate design concepts, technical instructions, and feedback to co-workers, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
• Operate: Write, type, and utilize standard computer systems, specifically including highly repetitive use of MAC systems, keyboards, and digital monitors.
• Stationary Position: Must be able to remain in a stationary design position 50–75% of the time.
• Mobility: Frequently move about the office to access sample archives, design boards, collaborate with other departments, and attend meetings.
• Move/Transport: Ability to occasionally move or transport boxes of product samples or trend materials weighing up to 25 lbs. across the office with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Environment: Standard climate-controlled office environment with occasional exposure to open-air or warehouse settings during sample reviews.
• Travel: May require occasional domestic or international travel for retailer meetings, trend shopping, or factory visits.
• Flexibility: Workplace model is hybrid, with fluctuating in-office days based on GTM milestones, retail meetings, and business needs.
• Predictable attendance on site
• Work has deadlines, multiple interruptions and may be stressful at times.

Implus is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and committed to creating a diverse and inclusive company culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion/belief, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other protected status under the law. Individuals needing a reasonable accommodation should contact hr@4implus.com.