Product Designer, Travel

Role Overview

The Product Designer, Travel is responsible for the end-to-end design and development of softside and hardside luggage collections, as well as travel accessories, in Canada. This includes creating innovative, functional, and fashion-forward products across various licensed brands and private label for national accounts. This role requires strong technical capabilities—particularly in materials, part selection, and CAD development—combined with an eye for design, seasonal trends, and strong executional skills to deliver innovative, trend-right products that meet brand, customer, and consumer expectations.

The Product Designer, Travel must balance creative vision with engineering feasibility and cost targets, working closely with the Design Engineer in the China office to bring concepts to life. Reporting to the Vice-President, Design & Innovation, Travel & Soft Bags and collaborating with cross-functional teams, the Product Designer, Travel ensures timely delivery of best-in-class products that align with business objectives. The designer must also be comfortable using AI tools and platforms to amplify creativity and improve process efficiency.

Key Responsibilities
Product development

1. Design collections across the luggage and travel accessories categories, including softside and hardside luggage for various brands and market needs
2. Create exclusive private label collections for national accounts in line with trends and customer profiles
3. Work with softside materials such as polyester and hardside materials such as ABS, polycarbonate (PC), and polypropylene (PP)
4. Design for multiple brands and categories while preserving each brand’s individual DNA
5. Select appropriate technical parts including trolley systems, wheels, handles, and zippers based on functionality, cost, and performance
6. Incorporate seasonal trends, fashion-forward colors, and silhouettes to create commercially successful collections
7. Conduct trend and market research using tools such as WGSN to identify key directions in material innovations, functional features, and aesthetic trends
8. Leverage AI-powered platforms like New Arc and Vizcom to enhance creative concepting
9. Align all designs with product briefs and overall business strategy defined by the Vice-President, Product Design & Innovation – Travel & Soft Bags
10. Present seasonal concepts and product direction for review and approval
11. Maintain awareness of target FOB pricing and build designs accordingly
12. Understand and articulate the impact of component costs and labor to develop commercially viable products

Design execution

1. Own the creation of accurate and detailed 3D technical CADs and part drawings using appropriate software
2. Operate and collaborate using 3D printing tools and machinery for prototype and component development
3. Collaborate closely with the Design Engineer based in our China office for part development, technical feasibility, and engineering refinement
4. Review factory samples and buyer feedback, compile comments, and communicate necessary revisions, respecting the departmental processes
5. Manage timelines and sample iterations from initial submission to final approval
6. Organize and maintain the parts and materials library for consistency and accessibility
7. Partner with the factories, Import and CRO teams, to ensure proper translation of designs into final products
8. Follow the development calendar closely to meet all internal and external deadlines

Samples & Showroom

1. Coordinate and prepare samples for buyer approvals, line reviews, and national account meetings
2. Assist with showroom setup for both internal reviews and customer presentations
3. Manage all logistics related to sample movement

Cross-functional collaboration

1. Work closely with internal teams including sales, import, product development, and the China office, while respecting departmental processes and workflows
2. Maintain strong connection with international partners and vendors to ensure constant innovation
3. Ensure a high level of technical and aesthetic excellence throughout the product development process

Key Requirements
Education & Experience

1. Diploma or degree in Industrial Design or a related field
2. 8–10 years of experience in luggage or industrial design, with focus on technical product development

Technical Skills

1. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop)
2. Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, Rhino, or similar) and 3D rendering tools
3. Experience operating or preparing files for 3D printing
4. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and Mac OS
5. Strong understanding of luggage construction, component selection, materials, and mass production processes
6. Experience with tech pack creation and managing sample development
7. Familiarity with workflow management tools such as Monday.com is an asset
8. Comfort using AI design and trend platforms (e.g., Vizcom) is highly desirable

Soft Skills

1. Strong time management and ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines
2. Excellent organizational skills and sharp attention to detail
3. Creativity, commercial awareness, and problem-solving aptitude
4. Flexible, proactive, and confident in a fast-paced environment
5. Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills across teams and cultures
6. Ability to visualize the end product from early concept stages
7. Effective verbal and written communication skills. Bilingual (English/French) is an asset
8. Integrity, credibility, and a commitment to high standards

What We Offer

1. Compensation based on experience
2. Comprehensive group insurance, including life, drugs, dental, medical, and long-term disability
3. Hybrid and remote work policy with a 35-hour workweek
4. Five sick/personal paid days annually
5. On-site parking and a dynamic team environment with a strong collaborative spirit
6. Opportunity to work with an industry leader with 70 years in the market

About the Holiday Group
The Holiday Group, a leading manufacturer and distributor of quality luggage and bags, proudly offers a diverse range under renowned brands such as Travelpro, Atlantic, Roots, Bench, and David Jones. Our product line includes fashion handbags catering to various preferences and age groups, featuring an array of shapes, sizes, colors, styles, and materials. Discover our high-quality, affordably priced soft and hard shell suitcases at major retailers and specialized boutiques nationwide, including Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.

For more information visit: www.holiday.ca

Join us in shaping the future of the luggage and bag industry in Canada - Apply today!

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