Product Design Mgr - Apparel

The Parks, Experiences and Products segment includes Disney's iconic travel and leisure businesses, which include six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia, a top-rated cruise line, a popular vacation ownership program, and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business across toys, apparel, home goods, digital games and apps; the world's largest children's publisher; Disney store locations around the world; and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.

The Product Design Manager will oversee the day-to-day execution of product design and development of O&O products for the apparel category, from concept through production. Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure the highest quality, consumer-focused, product lines across all channels of distribution (flex business models, vertical and wholesale) that build brand equity and meet financial targets.

This role will report directly to the Sr. Manager of Product Design and sit on-site in Glendale, CA.

You Will:

• Concept, design, sketch, prototype (including managing art-to-product, sample creation, fit sessions, sample review/approvals), deliver and present trend-right consumer centric product lines that feature market-leading innovation and great price/value for each tier of the value pyramid

• Manage and execute product approvals through online systems and collaborative approval meetings, ensuring high quality standards in character execution, in-depth storytelling, color, material, form and function while maximizing profitability

• Collaborate with internal partners (Creative Design, Brand Merchandising, Sourcing and Tech Design, BERGs, CBM, Legal, Business Affairs, Product Integrity, Integrated Retail, BPM, Public Affairs, D&I teams, Cultural Consultants) and external partners (Studios & Disney Channel Content Providers, Games, Publishing, WDI, DTR Partners) to design and approve all products

• Work with cross functional product development teams to develop & maintain standard libraries for tech design, fabric & trim development. 

• Work with the greater product design and creative teams to drive up-front trends, overall creative direction and to identify future areas of growth within the franchise, including the preparation of custom design tools and retail pitches specific to each category

• Motivate direct report(s) through ongoing feedback on performance

• Prepare creative/product retail custom design tools and pitches to differentiate by category

• Monitor competitors, product innovation and market dynamics

• Prioritize multiple design projects, running simultaneously with varying levels of complexity

You Have/ Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in fashion design

• Demonstrated vision and forethought for an overall brand

• Knowledge in softlines categories (raw materials, plastic, textiles, print, pattern, graphic composition, manufacturing)

• Demonstrated product design skills (e.g. 3D product design, technical design, sketching, creative application and manipulation of art, final mechanical art, fabric and trim identification)

• Computer software skills (e.g. Photoshop, Illustrator)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working experience in Men’s or youth apparel

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field (fashion design) or equivalent work experience

Our Benefits: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $115,500 - $154, 800 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.