Careers

As a vibrant, cutting-edge apparel company, Alternative’s line of fashion basics and accessories has made its way into major brand and retail lines around the world. We are pioneers in the apparel market because of our trend-defining designs; we constantly push the boundaries of casual West Coast fashion; and we are well-established in the apparel industry for our high-quality products and dynamic work environment.

We are always searching for people who are creative, bright and motivated. We are looking for individuals who are willing to think outside the box and offer innovative solutions to the opportunities and challenges we face. We are looking for people who will not only contribute to the productivity of our business, but people who will enrich our culture and our brand.

You can email resumes at any time to jobs@alternativeapparel.com.

Technical Design Manager (Los Angeles)

Alternative Apparel is currently seeking a Technical Design Manager at its Los Angeles location. The Technical Designer Manager will be responsible for facilitating the transition of apparel styles from design concept to a final, production-ready set of specifications and confirm vendors’ abilities to match product characteristics during production. This position also collaborates with internal resources to ensure size and fit consistency within the brand, as well as with outside vendors for technical consistency and vendor management. The Technical Design Manager reports to the Director of Sourcing for vendor management with close ties to the Product Development Manager for development functions

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Evaluates all samples for fit, measurement, pattern shaping and functionality to ensure garments meet company/customer/designer standards and are developed in a manner consistent with manufacturer capabilities and cost specifications
• Manages policies, principles and standards for technical design within Alternative Apparel, including company fit, grading, measuring, construction, quality and tolerance standards
• Communicates development and fit specifications in a timely manner, from initial concept through TOP samples, through written reports, phone conversations, illustrations, sketches and/or pattern corrections
• Provides technical design information to buyers and product development/design teams to ensure all partners are up to date and product is meeting deadlines and advises on corrective actions needed to bring samples to brand fit standards
• Translates design concepts into specification packages, including flat sketch with measurements, construction details, measurement specifications with appropriate tolerances and any predefined performance standards
• Supports management by creating and maintaining tools and reports to track development status
• Facilitates ongoing communication with vendors to ensure integrity of design-approved prototypes, monitoring quality and targeted price, responding to any technical questions, communicating any required changes and issuing grading guidelines after fit approval
• Supports sourcing by managing Vendor Guide and Vendor Portals to coordinate interaction, scorecarding and social compliance tracking with vendors

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion (Apparel/Textile Design, Manufacturing, Product Development or a related field
A minimum of 5 years experience in a technical design capacity with a thorough understanding of the apparel design and development process from inception through production
• Prior experience managing a technical design team with multiple direct reports Expertise in pattern making, grading, spec revision, pattern correction skills, garment construction, sewing, technical drawing, measuring and fitting; other relevant knowledge should include garment testing, fitting, vendor management and basics of product costing
• Strong design, prototyping and research skills
• Highly self-motivated and able to quickly adapt to unique situations
• Excellent written, problem-solving, decision-making and time-management skills with a proven track record of juggling priorities and successfully meeting multiple deadlines simultaneously
• Required proficiency with Abobe Illustrator Suite and/or similar CAD applications and MS Office Suite; preferred skills include PLM/PDM and Autograde applications
• Expertise in dealing with both domestic and offshore vendors on specs and the approval process, as well as the ability to clearly communicate technical information to vendors, manufacturers and designers

Senior Java Web Developer (Atlanta)

Alternative Apparel is currently seeking a Senior Java Developer to develop core e-commerce and web applications which will enhance Alternative customer facing websites.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• SOAP Web Services framework
• Deploying and administering application running on WebSphere server 6.1
• Java frameworks Spring 3, Spring MVC, Hibernate
• Eclipse, Rational Application Developer
• Relational databases such as Microsoft SQL

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• 5 to 10 years track record of building successful building JEE web applications
• Experience in full software development lifecycle projects
• Must be familiar with Java Script and AJAX as well as Eclipse and Rational Application Developer
• Experience building and maintaining Java applications running on WebSphere 6.1
• Experience with SQL server development and version control software such as SVN
• Experience building websites with content management in mind and customizing web pages for various browser types and versions
• Experience with e-commerce applications that integrate with back end ERP systems
• Experience with Web services and XML
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with cross-functional and cross-organizational teams
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Knoweldge of Java Tiles, Javascript frameworks such as JQuery and EJB, Lawson M3 a plus

Design Operations Coordinator (Los Angeles)

Alternative Apparel is seeking a Design Operations Coordinator to support our internal design processes and act as a liaison to multiple departments, including Sourcing, Technical Design, Planning, Sales and Marketing.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Manage the Sales Sample process
• Develop, maintain and govern design calendar
• Initiate and maintain style development chart
• Support product design with Interdepartmental communications
• Act as a design liaison to Sourcing/Tech teams
• Initiate sample POs and partner with Tech team on follow-up

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Minimum of 4 years in design support/merchandising
• Strong organizational skills and ability to meet business deadlines
• Tracking and full cycle production experience
• Must be a highly self-motivated, independent individual with ability to quickly adapt to unique situations
• Proven track record of problem solving and increasing efficiencies in a production/operational environment
• Excellent verbal, written, problem-solving, decision-making and time-management skills with ability to multi-task and successfully meet multiple deadlines
• Strong proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) required

Graphic Designer (Los Angeles)

Alternative Apparel is seeking a Graphic Designer to work on a variety of projects of visual communication including print advertising, lookbooks, catalogs, packaging, web, hangtags, POP and special projects.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Create compelling visual communications
• Design layouts, comps, storyboards and finished work
• Initiate and maintain style development chart
• Contribute ideas and design artwork tailored to meet project needs
• Support the Art Director and overall creative department

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Degree in Art or Graphic Design with strong portfolio
• Must have experience with Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Adobe and Creative Suite (Mac Platform)
• In-depth knowledge of design requirements for digital and print as well as printing processes and production methods
• Creative problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Strong visual and creative design skills, as well as excellent communication skills
• Ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure and handle multiple priorities simultaneously
• Must be able to take direction and work well in a team environment
• A strong aesthetic sense and excellent attention to detail
• Ability to carry out a concept from inception to completion
• Hand-crafted skills and a passion for fashion, art, design and photography are preferred!

Key Account Specialist (Atlanta)

The Key Account Specialist will be responsible for the overall process and fulfillment of our Retail, Brand and VIP orders to ensure on time deliveries to our customers while growing the business through quality products and excellent customer service. Working with internal and external Sales Reps, as well as the Finishing team and customers, the Key Account Specialist will manage, track and communicate the status of our purchase orders from inception through shipment. This position reports to the Key Account Manager with close ties to the Finishing Lead and Purchasing Managers.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Account setup and review of vendor guides
• Process stock orders and match to EDI once received
• Ensure physical elements of key account orders are consistent and accurate
• Process custom orders and determine factory based on available capacity, reliability and fabrication
• Manage, track and communicate the status of orders with reps, customers and vendors
• Process charge-backs that were received on a weekly basis while working to decrease or eliminate them
• Perform cost analysis to ensure proper margins can be met
• Provide price quotes and lead-times to internal and external customers
• Provide sales support for customers and employees when working on custom projects
• Ensure that receipt of goods and invoicing for all custom orders are performed in a timely manner
• Recommend solutions for process improvements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required
• Apparel or Accessories experience is preferred, with an understanding of retail routing guides and buying from inception through production and delivery
• Knowledge of garment specs and knit fabrications highly preferred
• Strong analytical skills
• Highly self-motivated, independent and able to quickly adapt to unique situations
• Proven track record of problem solving and increasing efficiencies in a production/operational environment
• Excellent verbal, written, problem-solving, decision-making and time-management skills, with a proven track record of juggling priorities and successfully meeting multiple deadlines
• Experience working with EDI portals like DI Central or Inovis a plus
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) required; Knowledge with MS Access highly preferred

Part-Time Accounting Specialist (Atlanta)

Alternative is hiring an Accounting Specialist to assist the Accounting / HR team in our Norcross location. This position is part-time (24-30 hours per week) and will run approximately five months.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for weekly processing of international invoices
• Assist in collections of past due receivables
• Assist with gift card processing and reconciliation
• Daily administrative tasks and clerical work, including filing
• Provide backup assistance for Accounting team
• Light accounts payable entry
• Perform other duties, special projects and tasks as assigned and other general accounting responsibilities as needed

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Prior experience in Accounting field
• Associates or Bachelors degree in Accounting or Finance
• Excellent verbal, written, problem-solving, decision-making and time-management skills with a proven track record of juggling priorities
• Detail-oriented individual
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) required
• Must demonstrate a strong initiative, as well as be dependable and resourceful

Alternative is currently accepting resumes for Part-Time Warehouse Staff (Atlanta)

Prior warehouse or distribution center experience preferred.
Schedule will be either 10:00am–4:00pm or 12:00pm–6:00pm three days per week with possibility of five days per week.
To apply, please email a resume to suzi@alternativeapparel.com.