Assistant Designer Womenswear Denim

Marks & Spencer Plc; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company is seeking an Assistant Designer with a passion for denim in the City of Westminster. This 12-month fixed-term role requires collaboration in a dynamic design function. Key responsibilities include delivering global product direction and creating high-quality Tech packs, with a strong emphasis on design aesthetics and innovation. Ideal candidates will have expertise in fabric and garment integrity, as well as proficiency in design software including Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Benefits

20% colleague discount

Competitive holiday entitlement

Discretionary bonus schemes

Defined Contribution Pension Scheme

Training programmes

Wellbeing support

Charity volunteer day

Qualifications

• Significant designer experience within the Retail and/or Manufacturing industry.
• Ability to deliver consistently high standards of Tech packs.
• In-depth research skills in global retail and design.

Responsibilities

• Deliver global product direction through seasonal Briefs.
• Design and develop products ensuring commercial interpretation.
• Collaborate with Technical teams to meet garment specifications.

Skills

Design handwriting and taste level

Expertise in design

Understanding of fabric, fit, and garment make up

Competence in creating Tech packs

Proficiency in Design related CAD software

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

In Design

PLM

Job description

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.

Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special…

• 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.

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