Fashion Design Director - ODM
The Fashion Design Director - ODM is responsible for defining and driving the company's overall ODM design and product development strategy, with the objective of strengthening ODM capabilities, expanding customer value, and supporting sustainable business growth.
This role provides strategic direction for the ODM Design function by translating global fashion trends, consumer insights, customer strategies, and the company's manufacturing strengths into differentiated and commercially viable product strategies.
Working closely with senior management, Sales, Merchandising, R&D, Production, and international customers, the Fashion Design Director will establish the long-term ODM roadmap, strengthen product innovation capabilities, and position the company as a strategic design and product development partner for global customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the strategy of ODM full cycle development from research, develop to commercialize: market research, develop seasonal ODM collections and innovative apparel concepts based on market trends, customer insights, and company capabilities.
- Define the ODM product and design direction, including target categories, customer segments, seasonal strategies, innovation priorities, and capability development plans.
- Analyze global fashion trends, consumer behavior, competitor products, and customer portfolios to identify and propose new product and business opportunities.
- Partner with senior management and Sales to identify strategic customers, target markets, and business opportunities where ODM capabilities can create competitive advantage and support revenue growth.
- Develop differentiated product and collection strategies tailored to key customers, considering their brand positioning, target consumers, price architecture, commercial objectives, and future business direction.
- Lead the development of strategic ODM concepts and seasonal collections that balance design innovation, commercial potential, target costing, manufacturing feasibility, and speed to market.
- Build and continuously enhance the company's end-to-end ODM capabilities, covering trend intelligence, design, product development, fabric and material innovation, 3D/digital development, AI-enabled design, and commercialization.
- Establish an effective ODM operating model and development process, ensuring strong collaboration among Design, Sales, Merchandising, R&D, Sourcing, Production, and other relevant functions.
- Lead strategic product presentations, collection reviews, and innovation workshops with key international customers, positioning the company as a proactive product development and solution partner rather than solely a manufacturing supplier.
- Develop strategic partnerships with global trend agencies, designers, material suppliers, technology partners, and other external resources to accelerate innovation and strengthen product differentiation.
- Drive continuous improvement in key ODM performance indicators, including development lead time, sample effectiveness, customer adoption, commercialization rate, design productivity, and business contribution.
- Establish clear KPIs, governance mechanisms, and performance standards for the ODM Design function and regularly evaluate progress against strategic objectives.
- Build the organizational structure and talent strategy required to support future ODM growth, including workforce planning, talent acquisition, capability development, succession planning, and leadership development.
- Lead, coach, and develop the ODM Design organization to build a high-performing, commercially minded, innovative, and customer-oriented team.
- Provide senior management with strategic recommendations on fashion trends, customer opportunities, product portfolio, design investment, technology, and future ODM capability development.
- Represent the ODM function in strategic customer engagements and management discussions and take ownership of the long-term development and competitiveness of the company's ODM business.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, Textile & Garment Technology, Industrial Design, Fashion Management, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in fashion design, apparel product development, ODM, product creation, or related functions within the global apparel industry.
- At least 3-5 years in a senior leadership position, such as Design Head, Design Director, Creative Director, Product Development Director, ODM Director, or an equivalent role.
- Proven experience in developing and executing ODM, design, or product development strategies for international apparel businesses.
- Strong understanding of the global apparel value chain, including fashion design, product development, merchandising, sourcing, costing, manufacturing, and commercialization.
- Strong knowledge of global fashion trends, consumer insights, customer segmentation, product positioning, and commercial apparel development.
- Demonstrated ability to translate market and customer insights into long-term product strategies, seasonal directions, and commercially viable collections.
- Proven experience working directly with international brands, retailers, or global customers, including strategic product presentations and business discussions.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance creativity, customer value, target price, margin, manufacturing capability, and business potential.
- Experience in building, transforming, or scaling ODM/design/product development capabilities and processes is highly preferred.
- Strong understanding of garment construction, fabrics, trims, washing, finishing, fit, product engineering, and apparel manufacturing processes.
- Familiarity with digital product creation, CLO 3D, AI-enabled design tools, and emerging fashion technologies is an advantage.
- Proven leadership experience in building, coaching, and developing multidisciplinary and high-performing design/product teams.
- Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, analytical capability, and decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication, influencing, negotiation, and executive-level presentation skills.
- Ability to operate effectively across functions, cultures, and international business environments.
- Fluent English communication is required for international customer engagement and cross-border collaboration. Additional languages are an advantage.
- Innovative, entrepreneurial, customer-oriented, and results-driven, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
Working Location: 36 Tay Thanh Street, Tay Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Eligibility: This position is open to candidates of all nationalities. We welcome qualified professionals with strong international apparel, ODM, fashion design, and product development experience who are interested in contributing to the long-term development of the company's ODM business in Vietnam.