Product Designer - Stellenbosch at Versus Socks

Job Overview:

• Are you a creative visionary with a flair for innovative design and a passion for an active lifestyle? Versus Socks, a fast-growing brand in the running, cycling, and gym community, is seeking a Mid to Senior Level Product Designer who can elevate our product offering to new heights. If you’re driven, organized, and ready to take ownership of the entire product design process, we want to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

• Design & Development: Create, develop, and refine innovative product designs that align with the Versus Socks brand identity and appeal to our active customer base.
• Collaboration & Communication: Work closely with internal teams, including marketing, sales, and production, to ensure seamless communication and alignment of design objectives.
• External Supplier Communication: Build and maintain strong relationships with external suppliers, ensuring that designs are accurately translated into final products. This includes providing detailed design specifications, managing feedback loops, and ensuring high-quality production standards.
• Sampling Process: Oversee the sampling process, working closely with suppliers to ensure prototypes meet design expectations. Provide feedback for improvements, and ensure that final samples are of the highest quality before moving into production.
• Trend Awareness: Stay ahead of the curve by researching industry trends and ensuring Versus Socks designs are fresh, innovative, and relevant to the market.
• Project Management: Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring all tasks are completed on time and to the highest standard.
• Quality Control: Oversee the production process to ensure that the final product matches the original design and meets Versus Socks’ quality standards.

What We’re Looking For:

• Top-Notch Graphic Design Skills: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.) with a strong portfolio that showcases your design capabilities.
• Excellent Communication Skills: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both internally with team members and externally with suppliers, manufacturers, and stakeholders.
• Driven & Organized: A self-starter with a proven ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize, and deliver results on time. You take ownership of projects and have a track record of meeting deadlines.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous in your approach, ensuring every design element is executed perfectly from concept to final product.
• Open to Feedback: Willingness to accept constructive design feedback and iterate to improve product outcomes.
• Understanding of Product Lifecycles: Experience with end-to-end product development, from concept design and prototyping to liaising with suppliers and overseeing manufacturing.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to troubleshoot production challenges with creative solutions that maintain the integrity of the design.
• Passion for Innovation: You are always looking for ways to push the boundaries of design, bringing fresh ideas to the table that challenge the status quo.

What You’ll Need:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Design or a Related Field: A formal education that has equipped you with the foundational skills of design, whether in graphic design, industrial design, or another relevant discipline.
• 3+ Years of Experience in Product Design: A proven track record of designing and developing successful products, ideally in a consumer goods or activewear brand.
• Advanced Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite: Expertise in using design software like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is essential.
• Experience with Supplier Communication: You’ve worked closely with manufacturers or suppliers before and are confident in your ability to guide them from concept to finished product.
• Time Management Skills: The ability to juggle multiple design projects at various stages of completion and meet all deadlines.
• Creative Thinking & Problem Solving: You’re a forward-thinking designer who can find solutions to both design and production challenges.
• Excellent Team Player: You thrive in a collaborative environment and are able to communicate effectively with all levels of an organization.