Associate Apparel Designer

New Balance; England; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A global sportswear company is seeking a Junior Apparel Designer in the UK to create designs and technical drawings for key accounts. This role involves conducting consumer research to stay updated on trends and translating consumer preferences into product propositions. Candidates should have strong graphic design skills, proficiency in Illustrator and Photoshop, and a passion for the fashion industry. Benefits include a discretionary bonus, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.

Benefits

Discretionary Bonus Opportunity

Private Medical Insurance

Dental Scheme

Pension Scheme

Flexible Working Hours

Hybrid working

25 days of Annual Leave

Life Insurance

On-Site Gym

Employee Discount

Work from Anywhere for four weeks

Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefits

Qualifications

• Strong graphic design knowledge and background.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong passion for apparel and fashion.

Responsibilities

• Create technical CAD drawings for product development.
• Conduct consumer research on trends.
• Translate consumer needs into viable product propositions.

Skills

Graphic design knowledge

Proficiency with Illustrator

Proficiency with Photoshop

Project management skills

Hand & Digital sketching

Presentation skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving attitude

Tools

Product Lifecycle Management software

Clo3D

Job description

Who We Are

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

Associate Apparel Designer's Mission

The Junior Apparel Designer will provide “Special make-up” designs for key accounts globally as well as colour-ups and SMU designs of inline product. Occasionally, the Junior Apparel Designer will have some opportunity to create new apparel styles and create on-garment graphics for key accounts.

Major Accountabilities

Product Creation

• Creation of technical CAD drawings & schematics to enable development & vendor partners to realise & complete creative ambition in line with category objectives.
• High-level coherence of seasonal product adjustments to ensure accurate, timely amendments are captured, actioned & communicated.
• Creation of Bills of Materials within a Product Lifecycle Management system to industry standard level to ensure accurate production of garments.
• Partnering with Cross-functional teams throughout seasonal intervals & stage gates to ensure aligned focus against seasonal category objectives.
• Develop global vendor partnerships (with Development counterparts) to ensure creative outlook is understood, viable & aligns to creative, consumer & category objectives.

Consumer Research

• Stay up to date and present back regularly on ever changing local, regional and global consumer trends and movement in trends focussed on our “Rising Independent” consumer group.
• Conducting on the ground research in key cities to stay informed of local nuances and emerging opportunities in trend, new design and styling moments.
• Work closely with design team members in the UK and USA to share information on market nuances as well as the chance to feed in regional trends into the wider apparel design team

Creative Vision

• Translate specific consumer needs & preferences into “best in class” product proposition that is viable & credible in the sportswear world.
• Ability to source a wide range of inspiration & influences to deliver strong curated applications of creativity.
• Develop powerful & compelling product presentations to articulate & inspire adoption.
• Leverage & interpret Brand DNA, Seasonal influence, & category positioning to drive a consumer right proposition.

Requirements for Success

• Strong graphic design knowledge / background.
• High-level proficiency withIllustrator and Photoshop
• Excellent organisation and project management skills to handle multiple projects at once in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong passion for Apparel, fashion and consumer research within the fashion industry.
• Hand & Digital sketching capability.
• Engaging & impactful presentation skills.
• Strong attention to detail & awareness.
• Problem-solving attitude.
• Domestic & International travel required.
• Experience of using Product Lifecycle Management software is a bonus.
• Experience of 3D modelling & rendering tools / packages (Clo3D) is a bonus.

Benefits

• Discretionary Bonus Opportunity
• Private Medical Insurance
• Dental Scheme
• Pension Scheme
• Flexible Working Hours (07 : 00 – 10 : 00 start, 15 : 00 -18 : 00 finish)
• Hybrid working (3 days on-site)
• 25 days of Annual Leave per year
• Life Insurance
• On-Site Gym
• Employee Discount
• Flexibility to Work from Anywhere for four weeks per year
• Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit (24 / 7 Employment Assistance Program & Support)

Equal Opportunity Employer

New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.

If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.