Established in 1973, Roots is a proudly Canadian lifestyle brand that celebrates authenticity, quality, and community. Inspired by the great outdoors, we create timeless, sustainable apparel and leather goods designed for comfort and everyday adventure. At Roots, we believe in fostering a culture of inclusivity, creativity, and teamwork – where every team member plays a role in shaping our brand’s legacy. If you bring passion to everything you do, lead with integrity, and believe in the power of collaboration to drive growth, we’d love to have you on our journey!
Nature & Scope → Your Role at Roots
We are seeking an Associate Designer, Accessories who is inspired by our heritage, committed to achieving results the right way, and eager to think big. This role is an integral part of our Design team, reporting to the Senior Designer, Accessories, and will provide creative and technical support across all aspects of product development.
The Associate Designer will play a hands-on role in bringing seasonal concepts to life, ensuring accurate execution from design handoff through to pre-production sign-off.
Key Responsibilities → How You’ll Make an Impact
Conduct ongoing market and trend research to help identify seasonal fashion direction and opportunities.
Support the development of seasonal Accessories collections by creating original, brand-right design work under the guidance of the Senior Designer.
Build and maintain accurate Product Development Bills of Materials (BOMs), ensuring all fabrics and trims meet Roots standards before use.
Participate in the colour development process, including lab dips and approvals, while maintaining seasonal colour standards.
Input and update product information in PDM systems, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
Collaborate with vendors by preparing and distributing product communication packages.
Track and adhere to multi-season development calendars, ensuring key deadlines are met.
Assist with the development of SMU (special make-up) requests by delivery as needed.
Qualifications & Experience → The Skills You Bring
Bachelor’s degree or higher in Fashion Design or a related creative field.
1–2 years of experience in Fashion, Accessories, or related design roles.
Strong CAD development skills for product construction and presentation.
Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Microsoft Office; familiarity with Miro and Momentis is a plus.
Experience with web PDM systems is an asset.
Strong communication and presentation skills, with an ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
Foundational knowledge of merchandising and product construction.
At Roots we appreciate that skills and expertise are cultivated through a range of experiences. We are committed to reflecting Canada's diverse landscape in our products, team, and workplace culture. We value your unique perspective and encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every listed requirement. Accommodations are available for applicants throughout the recruitment process.
