Fashion Design Manager

Crop Shop Boutique (CSB) is a fast-growing Australian e-commerce brand redefining athleisure since its launch in 2019 by Rachel Dillon. With a mission to empower women worldwide, CSB blends style, function, and confidence in every piece we create. Our team thrives on relentlessly raising the bar, being perfectly practical, and being unapologetically fearless.

About The Role

The Fashion Design Manager is responsible for leading and elevating CSB's design function across all product categories including, activewear, leisure, outerwear, fleece and accessories. Reporting to the Head of Product and working in close partnership with the Brand Founder, this role sets the creative vision for each season and ensures it is executed with precision, commercial intent and brand integrity throughout the entire product lifecycle.

This is a people-first leadership role. The Fashion Design Manager builds, mentors and inspires a talented team of designers, fostering a high-performance culture where creative excellence and commercial rigour coexist. They act as the connective tissue between brand vision and product reality, translating the Founder's direction into cohesive, trend-relevant collections that resonate deeply with the CSB customer.

The Fashion Design Manager will drive design strategy across all categories, lead seasonal range architecture, champion trend and fabric innovation and collaborate cross-functionally with Product Development, Production, Merchandising and Creative Partners to deliver exceptional products on time and within margin targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Set clear creative direction, performance expectations and development plans for each direct report.
• Partner closely with the Brand Founder to interpret and evolve CSB's creative vision each season.
• Lead deep research into emerging global trends, fabric innovations, performance technologies and consumer insights.
• Translate Founder direction into compelling, commercially viable design briefs for the team.
• Ensure brand DNA, aesthetic codes, materials philosophy, and fit standards are consistently expressed across every category.
• Work closely with external creative partners to align product design with campaign and brand storytelling.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Brand to support behind-the-scenes content that humanises the product development process.
• Own range architecture across all categories — activewear, leisure, outerwear, fleece and accessories.
• Drive seasonal design strategy in partnership with Merchandising, Buying and the Head of Product.
• Review range architecture against target COGS, RRP and margin goals; ensure design decisions support commercial outcomes.
• Use sales data and customer sentiment to evaluate category performance and identify whitespace opportunities.
• Oversee the full product development cycle across all categories, including fittings, CADs and vendor communication.
• Represent the design function in cross-functional planning, range review and critical path meetings.
• Foster productive relationships with external suppliers, fabric agents and creative partners.
• Inspire and cultivate a high-performing, collaborative team environment within the Design & Product Development function.
• Lead and mentor team members in alignment with CSB’s performance coaching cycle, fostering continuous growth, accountability and high performance
• Conduct regular design reviews and critique sessions to elevate creative output across the team.
• Champion psychological safety and a feedback-rich environment that unlocks the team's best work.

About You

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Product Development, Textile Design or related field.
• 8+ years' experience in apparel design, with a minimum of 3 years in a design leadership or management role.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-category range development in a commercial fashion or activewear environment.
• Background in a founder-led, DTC or high-growth brand environment is highly regarded.
• Advanced knowledge of garment construction, pattern logic, fit and sizing standards across stretch and performance fabrications.
• Deep understanding of fabric and trim specification, including performance textiles, knits and wovens relevant to activewear and lifestyle categories.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) and strong CAD skills.
• Experience with PLM or product management systems and critical path tools.
• Solid understanding of range architecture, COGS, margin structures and commercial product development processes end-to-end.
• Proven ability to lead, develop and inspire a team of designers — fostering both creative excellence and commercial accountability.
• Commercially minded with the ability to balance aesthetic ambition against margin targets and range requirements.
• A genuine passion for activewear, health, fitness and the lifestyle category.
• Understanding of the Australian retail landscape and DTC customer expectations is an advantage

Why Join CSB?

• Hybrid work model – balance of in-office & WFH
• Short Term Incentive Program
• Parental leave package for both parents
• State-of-the-art gym at CSB HQ
• Competitive staff discounts
• Be a part of our mission to empower women worldwide
• Exciting team events & initiatives

How To Apply

If you're ready to contribute to CSB’s mission and growth, we’d love to hear from you! Join in empowering women worldwide, CSB style. To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter via the job board only (direct applications via email or LinkedIn messages will not be accepted). For further information, please reach out to Dylan Anger at ***email_hidden***.