Welcome to Sanrio!

Sanrio is the global lifestyle brand best known for pop icon Hello Kitty. Home to many endearing characters including Chococat, My Melody, Badtz-Maru and Keroppi, Sanrio was founded on the 'small gift, big smile' philosophy - that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. Since 1960, this philosophy has served as the inspiration for the broad spectrum of unique products and experiences.

Are you a creative visionary with a passion for fashion and a love for all things kawaii? Sanrio, home to Hello Kitty and friends, is looking for a Senior Softlines Designer to bring our beloved characters to life through innovative apparel, accessories, and more. As a Sr. Designer, you’ll lead the design process with creative strategy, collaborate with cross-functional teams and licensees, and ensure our products continue to spark joy worldwide. With a strong sense of trend forecasting and hands-on design expertise, you'll create supercute collections that spread smiles and tell meaningful stories through design.

If these attributes sound like you, AND you are ready to hit the ground running to make an impact from day one, please read on to discover more about this opportunity. We are excited to meet you!

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Review product submissions for softlines and provide licensees with thoughtful feedback on submissions through production; able to give detailed recommendations and sketches/art as necessary
• Professionally collaborate with licensees to ensure brand integrity, design excellence, legal compliance & quality of licensed products
• Design Mass market product concepts for style guides, licensees, inspiration decks, retail pitches, etc.
• Research and present the trendiest art/design concepts from the industry & incorporate into future product designs
• Summarize findings and present cohesive insights from regular retail check and trend shopping
• Collaborate with various cross-functional teams (Sales/Marketing/ Retail) and maintain strong business relationships with licensees
• Spearhead creative solutions to cost and manufacturing constraints to drive better product
• Facilitate and drive meetings with licensees, including travel with or without Sales team
• As subject matter expert, instill innovation into the development of creative strategies and initiatives that align with overall business goals
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality standards
• Perform other duties as assigned

What do you bring to the table?

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Four-year college degree in fashion design / graphic design / Illustration / product design or equivalent experience
• At least 8 -10 plus years’ experience within the consumer product industry or equivalent design expertise
• Knowledge of trend research (include but not limited to art trend, graphic trend, fashion trend, product design trend) is required
• Excellent drawing/illustration skills with key knowledge in softlines product development; able to translate objectives into visual format and must be physically able to use computer and artist tools to execute creative deliverables
• Computer proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Power Point, MS Excel, MS word and others as needed specifically pertaining to softlines product development
• Good organization/prioritization skills necessary to work under tight deadlines, understanding of time management
• Good written/verbal communications skills, with strong attention to detail
• A team player with the ability to take direction and work professionally with others
• Must maintain company/licensee proprietary and confidential design concepts & information

Salary: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance