Assistant Designer Womenswear Denim

Marks and Spencer; City Of London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in the City of London is seeking an Assistant Designer with a passion for denim. This 12-month fixed-term contract involves collaborating with diverse teams to create innovative products and ensure high-quality design standards. Ideal candidates will have significant design experience, a strong understanding of fabrics, and proficiency in design-related software such as Adobe Illustrator and PLM. Enjoy a workplace that fosters creativity and inclusion, alongside excellent perks and a collaborative environment.

Benefits

20% colleague discount

Competitive holiday entitlement

Discretionary bonus schemes

Defined Contribution Pension Scheme

Induction and training programmes

Wellbeing support access

Charity volunteer day

Qualifications

• Significant design experience within Retail or Manufacturing.
• Strong competence in creating Tech packs.
• Ability to work collaboratively with design and technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Deliver global product direction through seasonal briefs.
• Develop product tech packs delivering high standards.
• Conduct in-depth research and communicate findings.

Skills

Design handwriting

Expertise in design

Understanding of fabric and fit

Proficient in CAD software

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

InDesign

PLM

Job description

All the details

From Merchandising and Marketing to Product Development, Design, Supply Chain and Space Planning, our teams work together to deliver stylish fashion, home and beauty essentials through a seamless and inspiring shopping experience - both online and in store.

As we continue to transform our business to meet the evolving needs of our customers, we're looking for driven, results-focused individuals who share a passion for product, thrive in collaborative teams, bring creativity to their work, and balance this with a strong commercial mindset.

We are currently seeking an Assistant Designer with a passion for denim to join our talented and high-performing team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a dynamic design function and play a key role in shaping our denim offer.

Important: Please ensure a portfolio or sample of your work is included with your application.

To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration, and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected.

What's in it for you

Being a part of M&S is exactly that - playing your part to bring the magic of M&S to our customers every day. We're an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and ever evolving business built on doing the right thing and bringing exceptional quality, value, service to every customer, whenever, wherever, and however they want to shop with us.

• After completing your probationary period, you'll receive 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third-party brands for you and a member of your household.
• Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days!
• Discretionary bonus schemes awarded based on how you achieve your personal objectives and our performance as a business.
• A generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
• A dedicated welcome to our teams with a tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes to develop your skills.
• Amazing perks and discounts via our M&S Choices portal to maximise your financial and personal wellbeing.
• Industry-leading parental, adoption, and neonatal policies, providing support and flexibility for your family.
• Access to a fantastic range of wellbeing support for all colleagues including access to our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist to support you and your family.
• A charity volunteer day to support a charity or cause you're passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.

What you'll do

Your key accountabilities will include

• Work with Design Lead to deliver global product direction for the category through seasonal Briefs and OTB opportunities and identify up-trending and down-trending products, categories, fabrics, and items etc.
• Design and develop product. Deliver consistently high standards of Tech packs on PLM to Sourcing offices to meet critical paths. Consistently high hit rate.
• Work in collaboration the Technical teams through the design and development process to ensure delivery of the agreed fabric and innovation strategy. Create tech packs via PLM delivering an accurate and commercial interpretation of the product design including the BOM, design aesthetic of garment make up and agreed fabric specifications.
• In depth research of the product scope including global retail research to trades fairs etc. as appropriate. Identify and communicate key opportunities and actions post trips.
• Work with DL and Designers on coordinated looks/trends through the process as required. Work with Designers across Clothing & Home Design sharing trends to build strong XBU looks and lifestyles for the customer.

Who you are

Your skills and experience will include

• Design handwriting and taste level to be in line with M&S style vision and in line with the M&S customer expectation
• Expert in the field of design with significant designer experience within the Retail and/or Manufacturing industry
• Strong understanding of fabric, fit, and garment make up to ensure product integrity
• Ability and strong competence in creating Tech packs
• Expert level of proficiency in Design related CAD software to include Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, In Design and PLM

Everyone's welcome

We are ambitious about the future of retail. We're disrupting, innovating, and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We're transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted, and admired by our colleagues, customers, and suppliers. Join us and make change happen.

We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.

If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.