Senior, Textile Designer

Be part of an amazing story

Macy’s is more than just a store. We’re a story. One that’s captured the hearts and minds of America for more than 160 years. A story about innovations and traditions…about inspiring stores and irresistible products…about the excitement of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, and the wonder of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. We’ve been part of memorable moments and milestones for countless customers and colleagues. Those stories are part of what makes this such a special place to work.

Job Overview

The Senior Textile Designer serves as a brand ambassador and category expert with strong leadership skills on Macy’s Design team. They have the opportunity to think, dream, and create original designs that align with Macy’s values of intentional product creation. Macy’s supports designers within a community that fosters innovation and teamwork.

The Senior Textile Designer leads by example, driving the creative vision and strategy for their category. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that all designs are aligned with the brand’s DNA and meet business objectives. Additionally, they mentor junior designers, inspiring innovation and guiding the creative process to produce market-leading products.

What You Will Do

• Align with the Design Director on trend and category research, including the retail market. Identify cultural trends and their impact on the fashion industry, sourcing inspiration from runways and unique outlets such as museums, vintage stores, and tradeshows.
• Develop and execute a strategic vision with a progressive, customer-centric approach, while delivering on sales and profit objectives. This role requires leveraging technical expertise to identify opportunities and develop a competitive assortment.
• Effectively lead through complexity, with a strong focus on both vision and speed.
• Collaborate with the Textile Director of Design on trend research for Seasonal Prep and Concept milestone meetings, specifically for print, colorways, embellishments, graphics, and new ornamental treatments.
• Participate in strategic meetings, providing recommended print and pattern assortments.
• Partner with colorists to review strike-offs and make necessary artwork revisions.
• Recolor and design prints, jacquards, embroidery, embellishments, yarn dyes, and graphics.
• Prepare print boards and set up presentations for market.
• Assist in designing companion prints and creating proper pattern repeats.
• Create pitches and supply print and color chips for development packages.
• Follow the seasonal time and action calendar to meet deadlines and manage workload expectations.
• Conduct competitive shopping (domestically and internationally) and take action to address competitive challenges.
• Stay up to date on new technologies, techniques, and tools for print design.
• Modify the print/pattern assortment based on buyer and customer feedback.
• Help identify key prints and patterns for each classification.
• Maintain adherence to the seasonal time and action calendar for the assigned area of responsibility.
• Maintain an industry presence to build connections, explore new business opportunities, and generate ideas. Represent and support the Macy’s brand while cultivating relationships.
• Communicate extensively with design, color, buying, and product teams.
• Regularly share input and print/pattern development direction with design and buying teams.
• Communicate daily with overseas offices to coordinate print/pattern development.
• Select and approve patterns, scales, and colors.
• Use design programs for style, color, and pattern development.
• Practice open and clear communication, value keeping others informed, and make decisions confidently and concisely.
• Exhibit a collaborative style, establish trust and build relationships across all levels and functions of the organization.
• Build engaged and highly functional teams, with a focus on developing and coaching the CAD design team, identifying and motivating talent.
• Comfortable taking risks and celebrating risk-taking, regardless of the outcome.
• Track and coach the team’s development, regularly meet with team members to discuss progress, opportunities, and achievements.
• Demonstrate resilience, tenacity, and high energy, bouncing back quickly from adversity.
• Maintain regular, dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Foster an environment of acceptance and respect that strengthens relationships, and ensures authentic connections with colleagues, customers, and communities
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills You Will Need

Creative Vision & Innovation: Ability to think creatively and develop original designs aligned with Macy’s brand values. Strong sense of aesthetics, including proficiency in color theory and print design.

Trend & Cultural Awareness: Expertise in researching and identifying cultural trends and their impact on the fashion industry, with a strong ability to source inspiration from various outlets such as runways, museums, vintage stores, and tradeshows.

Strategic Thinking & Execution: Proven ability to develop and execute a customer-centric, strategic vision that drives sales and meets profit objectives. Strong business acumen to align designs with business goals.

Technical Expertise: Proficiency in textile design, including recoloring, print design, embroidery, embellishments, jacquards, yarn dyes, and pattern creation. Advanced knowledge of design software such as MAC, MS Office, Excel, Kaledo, Ned, Procreate, and Adobe programs.

Collaboration & Leadership: Ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate extensively with design, buying, color, and product teams. Strong mentorship skills to guide and inspire junior designers.

Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Skilled at leading through complexity with a focus on both vision and speed. Comfortable with taking risks and adapting to changing business needs.

Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines by adhering to the seasonal time and action calendar. Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize workload effectively.

Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills. Able to communicate design concepts clearly and collaborate effectively with internal teams and overseas partners.

Industry Knowledge & Market Awareness: Experience with competitive analysis and staying up to date on new technologies, tools, and techniques in textile design.

Inclusivity & Team Building: Inclusive working style that values diverse perspectives, with strong abilities in team development, motivation, and coaching.

Resilience & Tenacity: Ability to maintain high energy, quickly recover from setbacks, and stay focused in a fast-paced environment.

Detail-Oriented: Strong attention to detail, particularly in viewing and differentiating the color spectrum and ensuring quality in print designs.

Self-Motivation: A self-starter who can work independently with minimal supervision, balancing creative freedom with business objectives.

Who You Are

• Candidates with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field are encouraged to apply. 
  • 6-10 years of industry experience. 
• This role involves performing essential job functions such as communication, collaboration, and use of office and computer systems. Responsibilities include the ability to access and review written and electronic information, and to move within the work environment and interact with workplace materials as needed to carry out job responsibilities.
• Able to work a flexible schedule based on department and company needs

What We Can Offer You

Join a team where work is as rewarding as it is fun! We offer a dynamic, inclusive environment with competitive pay and benefits. Enjoy comprehensive health and wellness coverage and a 401(k) match to invest in your future. Prioritize your well-being with paid time off and eight paid holidays. Grow your career with continuous learning and leadership development. Plus, build community by joining one of our Colleague Resource Groups and make a difference through our volunteer opportunities.

Some additional benefits we offer include:

• Merchandise discounts
• Performance-based incentives
• Annual merit review
• Employee Assistance Program with mental health counseling and legal/financial advice
• Tuition reimbursement

Access the full menu of benefits offerings here.

About Us

This is a great time to join Macy’s! Whether you’re helping a customer find the perfect gift, streamlining operations in one of our distribution centers, enhancing our online shopping experience, buying in-style and on-trend merchandise to outfit our customers, or designing a balloon for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, we offer unique opportunities to be part of some of the most memorable moments in people’s lives.

Join us and help write the next chapter in our story - Apply Today!

This job description is not all-inclusive. Macy's, Inc. reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. Macy's, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. 

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