Design Manager - Swim & Active jobs in United States
cer-icon
Apply on Employer Site
company-logo

Left On Friday · 13 hours ago

Design Manager - Swim & Active

Left On Friday is a company specializing in swimwear and performance-driven apparel. They are seeking a Design Manager to lead creative direction, oversee product development, and manage a high-performing team to deliver exceptional swim and activewear products.

FashionManufacturingProduct DesignRetail

Responsibilities

Execute seasonal concepts, silhouette development, fabric strategies, and innovation priorities aligned to the brand-led creative direction
Translate customer insights and brand values into product that is functional, elevated, and unmistakably LOF
Lead innovative approaches to performance materials, compression, fit, and construction unique to swim and activewear
Oversee the full product lifecycle, from sketch through final fit approval, with clear accountability for technical execution
Lead the fit & development functions for Swim & Lifestyle, ensuring consistency, quality, and performance across categories
Partner with Development and Fit to refine construction, durability, technical performance, and comfort
Own fit consistency standards and lead fit sessions with clear decision-making authority
Ensure product meets the highest standards for quality, functionality, and brand alignment
Partner with Merchandising on line architecture, pricing, and seasonal assortment strategy
Champion sampling excellence, efficient approval workflows, and problem resolution
Manage and coach Designers, Developers, and Fit Specialists, fostering ownership and continuous improvement
Provide clear direction, process structure, and tools that enable seamless execution
Develop junior talent and ensure alignment to overall design and technical strategy
Partner with Production & Sourcing on fabric evaluation, performance testing, and technical troubleshooting
Collaborate with Brand on storytelling to ensure swim product is represented accurately and powerfully
Work with cross-functional teams to deliver on margin, quality, and go-to-market expectations
Lead sampling strategy, calendar management, and communication workflows
Continuously refine processes to improve accuracy, speed, and product consistency
Ensure timelines are met and product hits margin, quality, and brand standards

Qualification

Swimwear designTechnical fabric innovationFitDevelopmentTeam leadershipCross-functional collaborationProblem resolutionPortfolio showcasingProcess improvement

Required

8+ years of design experience in swimwear, performance apparel, or technical product; 3+ years directly leading teams
Deep expertise in fit, development, construction, and technical fabric innovation
Proven ability to scale categories and deliver iconic, high-performing product
Strong partnership skills across Development, Fit, Production, Sourcing, Merchandising, and Brand
A leadership style grounded in clarity, accountability, and team empowerment
A portfolio showcasing exceptional technical execution and design craft
Naturally collaborative, you lead through influence, not ego

Company

Left On Friday

twittertwitter
company-logo
Left On Friday is a clothing brand company that provides and manufactures swimsuits and sportswear.

Funding

Current Stage
Early Stage
Total Funding
$5.75M
2023-01-03Series Unknown· $5.75M

Leadership Team

leader-logo
Shannon Savage
Co-Founder
linkedin
leader-logo
Laura Low Ah Kee
Cofounder
linkedin
Company data provided by crunchbase