Creative Director - Product

THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR - PRODUCT WILL….

Act as creative design and product visionary for SAXX. Lead all product design efforts both internally and through freelance partners. Elevate the product and vision to meet consumer preferences and support the company’s strategic goals. Propel SAXX as an innovation leader in the marketplace – the expert in Life Changing Comfort. Own and bring SAXX’s brand vision to life through product.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: 

Lead SAXX product design from vision, to strategy to execution. Work with the CPO, Merchants, Development and Materials teams to create a directional and relevant product line from concept to reality. Maximize creative design, technical, and leadership skills to create innovative and inspirational designs for SAXX.

• Develop, refine and communicate the SAXX design point of view in support of the brand’s vision and strategy.
• Contribute to the development of seasonal product strategies that support SAXX growth and achieve customer satisfaction.
• Anticipate and identify trends that translate into meaningful product concepts.
• Pursue and stay current with overall brand and business direction, product performance, industry and marketplace trends. Incorporate into design direction for SAXX.

Lead product innovation through customer insights and develop RD&D approach for SAXX brand.

• Lead the investigation of consumer and marketplace insights. Mine for consumer insights to inspire new product concepts that deliver consumer brand love.
• Vision and translate findings into meaningful and directional product, fabric, print/graphic design, and collection concepts.
• Develop and lead strategies for RD&D and innovation in fabric, trims, design direction and technologies.
• Implement and continually develop and improve product creation processes – i.e. Fit protocol and process, materials innovation and development, etc.
• Lead and execute wear-test and product concept development programs to elevate SAXX as leader in marketplace.

Develop the team and organization to grow SAXX as defined in strategic plan. 

• Lead and develop team to their full potential.
• Influence the creative team to address product design, print/graphic, and technical design needs.
• Define short-term and long-term organization plan.
• Ensure appropriate goals, feedback and coaching are in place to elevate performance of team.
• Manage Design budget and control costs within the department’s budget; allocate resources effectively.

High profile communication across the company and externally, effectively share vision to all levels of management.

• Actively share product and design vision and knowledge.
• Anticipate “what’s next” and act as design lead to pursue and develop concepts.
• Actively engage and lead with Marketing and Brand Creative team counterparts.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor degree in design required: product, industrial or graphic design.
• You have 10+ years’ experience in apparel product design and 5+ years’ experience leading design teams.
• You have an expert understanding of the apparel industry, from material creation, product development, merchandising and fit, as well as all aspects of product, print and graphic design
• You love leading creative work and also can deliver the hands-on design aspect of leading a small team.
• SAXX’s product positioning is providing innovative solutions to solve men’s comfort and performance problems with a unique look and feel. You have the right balance of the passion for delivering premium products and directing the line to be trend-right and market relevant. 
• You are a strategic thinker that creates new product and merchandising concepts.
• You understand assortment and merchandising concepts and are a key contributor to the seasonal strategies. 
• You are passionate about SAXX’s consumer and use insights from him to drive new innovations.  You have a proven track record in leading the product creation process of innovation projects and partnering with Materials Development in material creation. 
• You are a right brain/left brain thinker who is curious about the market/consumer/competitors/business trends that influence our product assortment.
• You coach, up-skill, mentor, and develop your team members to fulfil their goals and potential, seeking opportunities for their growth within the professional setting. You have a high emotional intelligence style with a coaching approach— you can challenge constructively, lead through influence, and set high expectations that you support your team in achieving.  
• You are comfortable in a high velocity work environment with disparate projects and calendars and are comfortable multi -tasking between projects. 
• You are a team player who effectively works in a dynamic environment, with high inter-dependencies between teams, cross-cultural colleagues, and diverse and innovative thinking

Don’t meet every single requirement?  Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every qualification. At SAXX we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace community, so if you’re excited about this role, but your past doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.  You might just be the right candidate for this or other roles.

WHY WE THINK YOU’LL LOVE WORKING WITH US

• We offer equitable salaries, a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage to support your wellbeing.
• Get additional health care support through a virtual health care platform and an Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• Participate in a profit-sharing retirement savings program.
• 3 weeks paid vacation.
• Hybrid working environment.
• 4 paid days off are dedicated for you to volunteer in your community and to support causes that matter to you most.
• Have your birthday off to celebrate in style.
• Free products? Yes, please! Every SAXX employee receives an annual $600 credit to treat themselves and the people in their life to our premium products.
• Hang out with the cute and cuddly dogs in our office (Woof!)
• Stay fueled with healthy snacks, coffee, and tea.
• Be part of a team of incredibly talented, passionate, and empowered people focused on building and innovating.
• Make an impact with your work—each person has an equal opportunity to contribute to our goals.

TO APPLY…

Please forward your resume and quote Creative Director - Product in the subject line. No phone calls please. We appreciate your interest in the role, however; only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview. Thank you for your interest in a career with SAXX.

Please keep tabs on your junk/spam folders. Our emails may end up there and we want to make sure we have the opportunity to connect with you!