Apparel Design & Development Manager- Johnston & Murphy

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Director, Apparel Design & Product Development, the Manager, Apparel Design & Product Development is a key leader on the J&M apparel team responsible for fully owning the product lifecycle from initial concept through delivery. This role requires sound independent business judgment, a strong commercial and trend-right product sensibility, and the ability to lead cross-functional partnerships across design, merchandising, technical design, and vendor management. The Manager will drive seasonal execution while also contributing to new business initiatives and supporting the development of junior team members.

Job Responsibilities

• Own the product lifecycle for Johnston & Murphy apparel categories - focus of men's blazers, outerwear, and pants - from concept through production and delivery.
• Lead the development and execution of seasonal product strategies, ensuring commercial relevance, brand aesthetic alignment, and profitability across all categories.
• Lead the development of seasonal design direction informed by consumer insights, fashion forecasts, and market trends, from initial inspiration through final selling tools.
• Oversee all phases of the product creation process-from concept development through commercialization-ensuring timely execution and delivery.
• Partner closely with Merchandising, Design, and Technical Design to deliver on product vision and brand standards, making independent decisions where appropriate.
• Manage all pre-production, production, and post-production approval processes including fabrics, trims, samples, and technical development.
• Conduct ongoing market, consumer, and competitive research to identify trends and opportunities; compile and present findings to internal stakeholders seasonally.
• Manage vendor and factory relationships, ensuring on-time sample delivery and adherence to the development calendar.
• Oversee pre-costing, seasonal cost analysis, and margin problem-solving across all assigned categories.
• Deliver product presentations to store teams, upper management, wholesale partners, and internal teams.
• Manage buy meetings across all channels of distribution, including selling analysis, trend overview, and presentation of new development.
• Partner with Wholesale Sales to ensure alignment on calendar milestones and business needs.
• Support new business initiatives as assigned, including licensed and strategic partnership programs.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to junior team members; foster a collaborative, learning-oriented team environment.
• Manage seasonal booking processes and support in-season merchandise to drive the business.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Apparel Design, or a related field.
• 5-7 years of progressive apparel product development experience; prior management or team lead experience preferred.
• Deep knowledge of the apparel product lifecycle, including design, technical development, sourcing, costing, and production.
• Strong commercial instincts with the ability to balance trend, brand aesthetic, and business performance.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple categories and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent cross-functional communication skills; able to work collaboratively with internal and external partners at all levels.
• Proven ability to build and present compelling seasonal product stories to leadership and key partners.
• Driven and solution-oriented; confident making independent decisions on complex challenges.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).

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