We have an excellent opportunity for a Product Designer, Men’s Shirts. This is a maternity cover, likely to be for 12 months.
Our Client is a leading British multichannel retailer specialising in Men’s formal, casual wear and accessories. The primary purpose of the Product Designer, Shirts is to be accountable for the design of several key product areas, with responsibility for supporting the development of junior members of the team. You will support the Design Director in producing product ranges and will ensure that product is relevant for markets both in the UK and internationally
Key Responsibilities:
• Formulate each season’s range direction to meet the design and costing requirements, technical specifications and palette including concepts/trends/themes/colours each season
• Contribute to concept themes and bring these to life through mood boards and presentation tools in line with product strategy
• Continually deliver a fresh, creative & commercial product range, taking accountability for specific and defined product categories
• Have a strategic customer focus across design and thinking about the wider product offering, however still with a focus on a specific category
• Work with the Buying & Merchandising team to present finished product categories to the Directors and clearly articulate the inspiration and benefits of the new range
• Contribute to the creation of innovation and newness within your product areas and in conjunction with the VM and graphic design teams ensure a clear message via the retail multi-channels
• Adhere to the product critical path & ensure all deadlines are met.
• Take accountability for your range and be aware & react to sales information
• Work alongside Buying, Technical & Merchandising to ensure product categories cover historical sales & new product
• Take full responsibility for the handover of clear, understandable, completed design packs to Technical and interface regularly with garment technologists with regards to size specifications, fit sessions, prototypes, technical construction and the suitability of designs for end-use
• Work hand in hand with Buying to improve margin without sacrificing quality & detail
• Travel internationally for both design research and supplier visits. Undertake UK design research, inspiration & competitors as well as store visits to build a greater understanding of the brand
• Help develop the team and the wider design community through guidance and coaching
• Ensure you and the team constantly research new innovations and fashion trends by attending trade fairs
Experience Required
• Experience in producing creative and fresh designs with a strong branded feel, across multiple ranges of shirts, gained through a fashion/lifestyle brand
• A highly creative commercial portfolio demonstrating your ability to present a concept following through to finished garment
• Strong understanding of the market and the Brand’s customer profile
• Design focused, commercial eye passionate about product
• Development of leadership skills
• Effective communication and influencing skills
• Collaborative working with the rest of Product, Retail, Marketing Design & Ecommerce
• Ability to travel is essential
Behavioural Competencies
• Good communication and influencing skills
• Enjoy working effectively as a team both within our departments and across departments
• Professionalism in all aspects of the role and ensuring personal behaviour reflects the values of the business at all times
Technical Skills
• Advanced CAD and Illustrator/Photoshop
• Knowledge of weave programmes preferable