Design Manager, Hosiery

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 Hosiery Design Manager who shares our commitment to inclusivity and enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking a visionary Design Manager to lead our active and lifestyle sock categories, as well as a range of accessories including slippers, cold weather/outerwear, and hair/beauty accessories. This role is a perfect blend of high-level creative direction and dynamic people leadership. 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. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Everyday Hosiery, you will drive the seasonal design process from concept to commercialization while fostering a culture of innovation, mentorship, and excellence within the design team. This position is hybrid, with fluctuating in-office days based on business needs.

Essential Job Function:      

PEOPLE LEADERSHIP & TEAM DEVELOPMENT

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of designers and assistants; foster a collaborative, high-performance environment that encourages creative risk-taking.
• Actively participate in attracting, developing, and retaining top design talent. Conduct regular performance evaluations and support individual career growth paths.
• Oversee daily operations for the creative team, balancing workloads, removing roadblocks, and ensuring strict adherence to the seasonal product development calendar.
• Build strong, productive relationships with Merchandising, Product Development, and Sales to ensure the design team's vision aligns with overarching brand and revenue goals

DESIGN EXPERTISE & CREATIVE VISION

• Drive seasonal trend research, color palettes, and material innovations specifically targeted at performance, activewear, and lifestyle hosiery.
• Hands-On CAD Execution: Act as a "player-coach" by directly executing design CADs, tech packs, and technical sketches in Adobe Illustrator when needed to support team bandwidth and meet critical deadlines.
• Apply deep knowledge of circular knitting, advanced yarn technologies, and knit execution to push the boundaries of fit, comfort, and athletic performance.
• Oversee the meticulous creation of tech packs and line sheets. Approve lab dips, trims, and final prototypes to ensure licensor and brand standards are met.
• Lead the design team in identifying and resolving complex fit, construction, and manufacturing issues during the sampling and production process.

Key Skills & Competencies

• People Leadership: Proven ability to attract, retain, and evaluate talent, while actively managing the workflow and career development of design assistants and associates.
• Time & Project Management: Ability to plan, prioritize, and meet tight deadlines within a fast-paced product development calendar while balancing team workloads and multiple projects.
• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to respond to design and production challenges with innovative, cost-effective, and commercially viable solutions.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Ability to bridge the gap between creative design, merchandising, and production to ensure commercial viability and adherence to the development calendar.
• 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: 5+ years in apparel or accessories design, with a mandatory and 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.
• Leadership Record: 2+ years of direct people management, demonstrating the ability to guide, evaluate, and scale creative teams effectively.
• Technical Proficiency: Highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), PLM systems, and Microsoft Office. Experience with 3D design tools (e.g., Clo3D) is a strong advantage.
• Trend Tools: Experience utilizing professional consumer trend-forecasting platforms (such as WGSN) and interpreting retail market analytics.
• 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, Graphic 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.
• Attendance: 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 [email protected].