VP of Design & Product Development
Role Overview
VP-level design and product development role for a premium Canadian outdoor lifestyle apparel brand.
Own product vision from initial concept to finished sample across menswear, womenswear, and accessories.
Work with Sourcing and Production to deliver functional product that meets commercial requirements.
Partner with Merchandising, Sourcing, Marketing, Ecommerce, and Wholesale; present to senior leadership.
Key Skills for This Role
Full Job Posting
Role overview
VP-level design and product development role for a premium Canadian outdoor lifestyle apparel brand.
Own product vision from initial concept to finished sample across menswear, womenswear, and accessories.
Work with Sourcing and Production to deliver functional product that meets commercial requirements.
Partner with Merchandising, Sourcing, Marketing, Ecommerce, and Wholesale; present to senior leadership.
Product vision and design direction
- Define long-term product vision and seasonal direction for apparel and accessories.
- Build a coherent outdoor lifestyle wardrobe and set seasonal colour, fabric, silhouette, and detail direction.
- Protect signature products while introducing new styles, fabrics, and categories.
- Apply relevant global outdoor, travel, fashion, and lifestyle trends with a refined brand approach.
- Use customer insight, wear testing, and sales data to guide decisions.
Development and leadership
- Lead the team through concept, tech pack, fit, sampling, and final approval.
- Drive fabric and trim innovation, including performance features such as sun protection, water repellency, breathability, and packability.
- Uphold fit, construction, durability, and quality standards.
- Coordinate with mills, suppliers, and manufacturing partners in Canada and overseas; own the critical path and development calendar.
- Advance responsible material choices, repairability, and product longevity.
- Manage team performance, coaching, hiring, succession, processes, and ways of working.
Commercial leadership
- Partner on range architecture, price points, and margin targets; manage design and development budgets and costings.
- Prepare product stories with Marketing and present seasonal strategy and collections to executive leadership.
- Lead collaborations and limited editions to attract new customers.
Candidate requirements
- 10+ years of apparel design experience, currently at VP Design, Head of Design, Design Director, or Creative Director level.
- Outdoor, performance, or premium lifestyle apparel background, with menswear, womenswear, or both.
- Deep knowledge of technical and performance fabrics and natural fibres; strong fit, construction, and quality expertise.
- Experience with international mills and manufacturing partners, commercial planning and budget ownership, and DTC and wholesale channels.
- Commitment to sustainable materials and product longevity; confident executive presentations and a record of building high-performing teams.
- Degree in Fashion Design specializing in apparel.
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