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About the Role

Lead the product vision from concept to finished sample for apparel and accessories, defining the brand's offerings and ensuring they meet customer needs and commercial requirements. This role involves setting seasonal direction, leading design and product development teams, and collaborating with various departments to shape the collection for global distribution.

Responsibilities

Define the long-term product vision and seasonal design direction for apparel and accessories.
Build a coherent outdoor lifestyle collection where clothing and accessories work together as one wardrobe.
Set colour, fabric, silhouette and detail direction for each season, grounded in how customers travel and spend time outdoors.
Protect the signature products while introducing new styles, fabrics and categories.
Read global outdoor, travel, fashion and lifestyle trends and apply only what is right for the brand and its customer, leading with an elevated and refined approach.
Use customer insight, wear testing and sales data to guide design decisions.
Lead a small design and product development team from concept and tech pack through fit, sampling and final approval.
Drive fabric and trim innovation across natural fibres and performance fabrics, including sun protective, water repellent, breathable and packable constructions.
Set and uphold standards for fit, construction, durability and quality, so every product earns long-term customer trust.
Work with mills, trim suppliers and manufacturing partners in Canada and overseas to deliver on time, on cost and to specification.
Own the critical path and development calendar, keeping every season on schedule.
Advance responsible material choices, repairability and product longevity as core design principles.
Partner with Merchandising to build a balanced range architecture with clear price points and margin targets.
Own the design and development budget and manage costings alongside Sourcing.
Work with Marketing to make sure product stories are clear, credible and ready for campaign.
Present seasonal strategy and collections to executive leadership.
Lead collaborations and limited editions that bring new customers to the brand.
Manage, coach and develop a small design and product development team.
Set clear briefs, give direct feedback and create room for people to do their best work.
Strengthen process, tools and ways of working across design, technical and development functions as your role evolves.
Hire well and build succession within the team.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in apparel design, currently at VP Design, Head of Design, Design Director or Creative Director level.
Background including outdoor, performance or premium lifestyle apparel, with experience across Menswear, Womenswear or both.
Deep knowledge of technical and performance fabrics and natural fibres.
Strong technical understanding of fit, construction and quality standards.
Experience working with international mills and manufacturing partners.
Commercial fluency: range planning, costing, margin management and budget ownership.
Experience designing for both direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels.
A commitment to sustainable materials and product built to last.
Confident presenting to executive leadership.
A track record of building, leading and developing high-performing design and product teams.
Currently living and working in the US or Canada or willing to relocate to Toronto.
Submit a CV, a portfolio aligned to the job description and a short cover note.

Skills

Apparel Design
Product Vision
Design Direction
Product Development
Fabric Innovation
Trend Analysis
Customer Insight
Wear Testing
Sales Data Analysis
Fit and Sampling
Quality Standards
Supply Chain Management
Critical Path Management
Responsible Material Sourcing
Range Planning
Costing
Margin Management
Budget Ownership
Marketing Collaboration
Team Leadership
Coaching
Mentoring
Process Improvement
Talent Acquisition

Location

Toronto

Work Type

Hybrid

Experience Level

VP Level
10+ years

Education Level

Degree in Fashion Design, specialising in apparel

Salary/Compensations

Competitive salary in line with experience

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

About the Company

Premium Canadian outdoor lifestyle brand with a cult following.
Growing outdoor and lifestyle apparel collection across Menswear and Womenswear.
Brand reputation earned through customer lifestyle of travelling, walking, sailing, exploring and experiencing weather.
Collections designed with integrity, combining natural fibres with performance fabrics.
Products designed to work hard, pack well, and move seamlessly between city and trail.
Focus on function first, with style following without compromise.
Business with international reach and clear ambition for growth.
Evolving apparel collection for a brand customers trust.