MLB & NCAA Product Designer

Company Description

Onward Reserve, founded in 2012 by TJ Callaway, is a lifestyle brand inspired by the appreciation of life’s authentic moments and a commitment to quality. Combining hospitality with unique apparel and gifts, the company creates an exclusive retail experience both in its brick-and-mortar stores and online. Their product offerings encompass original artwork on t-shirts, tailored sportswear, coats, ties, and luxury gifts. Onward Reserve is dedicated to providing customers with exceptional service and curated, high-quality products.

Overview

Onward Reserve is seeking an MLB & NCAA Product Designer to support garment and print design for our licensed business, including MLB, MiLB and collegiate programs. Reporting to the VP of Product, this role is responsible for the graphic design and development of licensed product across all categories and channels, from concept and CAD through tech packs, licensor approvals and production. This position will partner closely with the Sports & Entertainment, Sales and Merchandising & Planning teams. The ideal candidate is an experienced apparel designer with a strong eye for print and color who is eager to learn and design to the Onward Reserve brand.

Key Responsibilities

• Design licensed garments and prints across all licensed categories (polos, tees, layers, outerwear, headwear, etc.) for MLB, MiLB and collegiate programs.

• Develop engineered print concepts, repeats and colorways in Adobe Illustrator that translate team marks, colors and traditions into elevated, on-brand product.

• Scale successful print and product concepts across clubs, schools and leagues while tailoring each to its team.

• Create accurate CADs and complete tech packs for every style, including artwork placement, print scale, Pantone callouts, trims, labels and construction details.

• Support fit, quality and spec package development: review proto and pre-production samples, provide comments on fit, print execution and color, and maintain specs with vendors.

• Manage color standards, lab dips and print strike-offs against Pantone and licensor color requirements.

• Prepare and submit artwork and product concepts for licensor approval in partnership with the Director of Sports & Entertainment; track feedback, revise and resubmit to keep the development calendar on schedule.

• Learn and apply each league's, club's and school's brand and style guide requirements, including mark usage, team colors and labeling.

• Own licensed garment design assets for all channels (retail stores, e-commerce and wholesale), including CADs and artwork for line sheets, sales samples and account-specific programs.

• Partner with the Sales team on wholesale and account programs, and with Merchandising & Planning to build licensed assortments that meet line plans, price points and margin targets.

• Deliver to a development calendar built around the sports seasons, including Opening Day, football season, postseason and bowl games.

• Research trends across golf, sport-lifestyle and licensed fan apparel; bring a point of view on new categories, prints and fabrications.

• Use sell-through and customer feedback to refine and evolve the licensed line each season.

• Perform other related duties and assignments as required.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of apparel design or product development experience, ideally in men's, golf/performance or licensed sports apparel.

• Bachelor's degree in fashion design, textile design, apparel product development or comparable experience.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop is required.

• Proficiency in Procreate and Adobe InDesign is preferred.

• Strong working knowledge of Pantone and color standards, including approving lab dips and print strike-offs.

• Experience building complete tech packs and managing fit, quality and spec packages with domestic or overseas vendors.

• Working knowledge of knit and woven garments, performance fabrics and print/decoration methods (sublimation, screen print, embroidery).

• Experience with licensor approval processes (MLB, collegiate licensing agencies or similar) strongly preferred.

• Coachable: takes direction well, absorbs brand feedback quickly and adapts their aesthetic to the Onward Reserve point of view.

• Highly organized, with a keen eye for detail; able to manage many projects, styles and approval cycles at once.

• Clear written and verbal communicator with internal teams, licensors and vendors.

• A genuine love of baseball, college sports and Southern sporting traditions is a plus.

• Able to work onsite at our Atlanta headquarters.

• Portfolio required.

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience, along with a strong list of company benefits.