The Opportunity: Creative Merchandiser

Location: Vaughan

Salary: 68-70K

Hours of Work: FT Mon-Fri, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (on site)

Note to candidates: The job responsibilities for this position have been updated to reflect changes requested by our client.

Tony Curtis & Associates Inc. has an exceptional opportunity for a highly motivated individual to join the Product Development team as a Creative Merchandiser for one of Canada’s leading luxury fashion brands. This role will research, identify, evaluate and interpret trends and colours appropriate to the brand and the target customer to create appealing seasonal luxury garment collections and accessories assortments. Our client seeks a dynamic individual who is not only interested in retail and fashion, but who enjoy challenges and shares their vision for a safer and healthier workplace. In addition to customers, an intrinsic part of our client’s success has always been the people who work within their organization. Our client believes customers need to have confidence that managers and associates at all levels of the organization have the knowledge, skills and competencies to excel while depending on systems and processes that support the continued learning and development of it’s people.

As the ideal candidate, you have a passion for contemporary fashion with a modern classic

aesthetic in luxury garments. You enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and can

simultaneously handle many projects and timelines. You are a leader and a highly detailed-

oriented, organized and supportive team player who understands a small business requires a

wide variety of tasks to be completed within tight deadlines, and you are willing to put your full

effort behind helping the team succeed. You have demonstrated apparel product development

or design experience and a working knowledge of fabrics, garment construction, fit and pattern

development.

Tony Curtis & Associates Inc. thanks all applicants, however, only those legally authorized to work in Canada can be considered.

Key Responsibilities:

BRAND TREND DIRECTION

• Maintain the integrity and profile of the luxury brand

• Establish and execute brand leadership and direction to convey the richness

and luxurious nature of product offerings

• Collaborate on and lead in developing seasonal trend direction for theme,

styling, colour, fit and fabric for the brand for each phase of assortment

development (big picture ideas)

• Establish colour stories for each season identifying core, fashion and accent

colours

• Initiate sourcing of new fabrics seasonally and as required

• Prepare, present and communicate brand direction, trends and seasonal colours

• Compile and maintain library of images for presentations and trend alerts

• Initiate trend alerts and provide implementation strategy to Product Developers

• Conduct market research and competitive shopping to stay current on fashion

trends and provide informative trip reports and recommendations to address

shifts in consumer tastes and competitive offerings

PRODUCT:

• Identify growth categories and opportunities for business

• Stay abreast of market shifts and lifestyle changes that will impact the brand and

development of the product

• Build and merchandise the product line

• Set up and maintain sketch library

• Initiate and oversee development of technical packages including the main

sketch, fabric information, component information, block reference, colour and

size breakdown page

• Review technical packages for completeness and accuracy

• Coordinate the compilation of technical packages and review with Product

Developers and Executive Managing Director

• Attend fittings to provide and ensure proper styling and fit for brand consistency

• Collaborate on and lead development of labels, hangtags and packaging needs

aligned with standards as a luxury brand

• Adhere to apparel/accessories calendar timelines to ensure all product deadlines are achieved

COMMUNICATION:

• Participate in performance reviews and seasonal post mortems

• Provide direction and leadership to Product Developers to establish and execute

plans

• Conduct regular meetings and communication with Product Developers

• Meet with key vendors as required

• Provide continuous direction and guidance to ensure brand consistency

• Perform other related duties and special projects as determined by the

Executive Managing Director and Company ownership

Knowledge, Skills and Attributes:

• Equivalent of University Degree/College Diploma in Textile and Apparel or similar

training in fashion marketing preferred

• Keen eye for selecting and editing styles and product collections

• Strong drive and passion for staying current on men’s and women’s fashion trends

• Demonstrated modern classic fashion aesthetic geared to North American consumer

markets

• 5+ years’ apparel product development or design experience with previous team lead or

lead hand experience and retail exposure

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) software with knowledge in

Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop a must

• Strong working knowledge of fabrics, garment construction, fit and pattern development

with understanding of body shapes and fit a must

• Knowledge of garment construction and overseas factory development and production

with strong written and verbal communication skills to communicate garment fit and

 construction techniques to both internal staff as well as offshore factories (India, China,

Pakistan)

• Excellent English oral and written communication, interpersonal and presentation skills

and confident, professional presence required to present collections to multi-cultural

retail and senior management audiences

• Excellent organizational, time and project management skills with efficient and effective

work habits

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a team member

• Must work well under pressure in a fast-paced, deadline-driven team environment

• Highly organized, analytical and detail-oriented professional with even tempered

demeanour, good emotional intelligence and developed leadership skills

• Strong technical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills required

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize work and deliver results with excellent follow-through to

completion with minimal supervision

• Flexible and adaptable with a growth and solution-oriented mindset and ability to give,

receive and apply constructive feedback

• Self-motivated with strong work ethic and high level of personal integrity and availability

to work extended hours as required

• Willingness and availability to travel domestically and outside Canada with valid passport

and visa eligibility