Design Manager - Apparel (12m Contract)

Cartology; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental Leave

Work from Anywhere policy

Job summary

Woolworths Group’s BIG W division is seeking a Design Manager for Apparel on a 12-month fixed-term contract based in Sydney. You will lead and shape the creative direction for Womenswear and Menswear, delivering high-volume, commercially viable product ranges while partnering with cross-functional teams across merchandising, sourcing, and quality.

You will manage a senior design team, drive the seasonal design direction, and ensure alignment with customer needs and business objectives in a

Qualifications

• 10+ years of fashion design experience with Womenswear and Menswear.
• Tertiary qualification in fashion or related field.
• Proven leadership of high-performing design teams.
• Strong trend forecasting with commercial sense.
• End-to-end design and product development lifecycle knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Womens and Menswear design team.
• Set creative vision and translate trends into viable product ranges.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Merch Planning, Sourcing, Fit, Quality, and Marketing.
• Oversee end-to-end design lifecycle and ensure on-time delivery.

Skills

Design experience

Leadership

Trend forecasting

End-to-end execution

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Education

Tertiary qualification in fashion

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Job description

## Design Manager - Apparel (12m Contract)Req ID102291Date posted22-Sep-2026BrandBig WTeamCommercialEmployment typeFixed-term Full-timeLocationNew South Wales, 2153* Full time 12 month fixed term contract position within the design team based in Sydney* Lead and shape the future of Womens and Menswear Clothing at scale, creating products that fit our customer lifestyle needs* Work alongside passionate, talented teams across design, category, merch planning, sourcing, quality and marketing.Welcome to BIG WFor over 50 years, we’ve been helping Aussie families find those little wins. Who makes it all happen? Our team. They’re our biggest asset, the heart of everything we do. From new ideas to big energy and genuine care, they bring it every day, on every shift, at every shelf and in every customer moment. We’re part of the largest Australian employer group, a community icon, and our scale opens the door to career possibilities as big as your ambition. Whether you’re on the shop floor, in one of our dynamic support offices, or a bustling distribution centre, we’ll back you to grow, make an impact, and feel proud to be part of something that truly matters. Think you’d look good in blue? A career at BIG W could be the perfect gig for you. ‘BIG W. How good's that.’What you’ll doReporting to the Senior Design Manager Product Clothing, you will play a critical leadership role in driving the creative direction and performance of the Womens and Menswear Design team.You’ll lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing design team, ensuring the consistent delivery of commercial, high-quality, and customer-focused product ranges. Your leadership will be key in setting the creative vision, aligning products with customer needs, balance with commercial costs and profit. Fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation.* Lead & Inspire: Coach and develop a high-performing team of designers, fostering a collaborative, solutions-focused culture built on accountability and continuous improvement.* Set the Creative Vision: Establish the seasonal design direction for Men’s and Women’s apparel, translating global trends into commercially viable strategies for a large-scale volume retailer.* Drive Product Development: Partner cross-functionally with Merch Planning, Sourcing, Fit, and Quality teams to deliver cohesive, customer-centric ranges that perfectly balance aesthetic, cost, and fit.* Manage the Design Lifecycle: Oversee end-to-end operational execution, ensuring efficient workflows, accurate technical packs, and strict adherence to critical path milestones.* Ensure Excellence & Compliance: Uphold rigorous standards for product safety, responsible sourcing, and intellectual property while continuously identifying ways to optimize business efficiency.What you’ll bring* Extensive Design Experience: 10+ years of fashion design experience, backed by a relevant tertiary qualification, with a proven history of creating successful Womenswear ranges.* Strategic Leadership: A strong track record of inspiring and developing high-performing design teams, coupled with highly developed influencing and stakeholder management skills.* Commercial Trend Expertise: Exceptional trend forecasting abilities with the sharp commercial acumen needed to translate global insights into high-volume, market-ready product ranges.* End-to-End Execution: Comprehensive understanding of the entire design and product development lifecycle, with the ability to deliver results in a fast-paced retail environment.* Technical Proficiency: Strong, hands-on capability in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator & Photoshop) to bring creative visions and technical requirements to life.What you’ll experience* A global business with endless career possibilities around every corner and across every discipline – with valuable exposure to a vast and exciting business network.* A progressive and flexible ‘Work from Anywhere’ policy that gives you more control over your work, life and wellbeing.\\** Parental Leave provision - applies to permanent team members, and excludes casual team Members, fixed term team members and contractors.Everyone belongs at Woolworths Group As one of the largest employers in Australia and New Zealand, we aim to create a truly inclusive workplace where everyone feels that they belong, can be their best selves, and reach their full potential.Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are key to realising our purpose of better together for a better tomorrow. We recognise the value our team’s diversity brings to our business, customers, and communities and that teams with diverse experiences and backgrounds enrich our group and are better able to innovate and solve problems. Woolworths Group is an inclusive, team-first company and we value all skills and experiences. If you meet some, but not all of the requirements, we encourage you to submit your application.