Clothing Senior Designer

Poundland; Eltham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A retail company in the United Kingdom is looking for a Senior Designer to lead their clothing design function. The role is based in Watford and involves managing the design process, collaborating with the Buying and Merchandising team, and driving innovation. Candidates should have previous experience in clothing design and a degree in Fashion Design. The position offers a salary of circa £60,000 and the opportunity to work in a hybrid model, with additional perks including professional development and a car allowance.

Benefits

Professional development programs

Bonus potential

Car allowance

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Senior Merchandiser in clothing design.
• Strong understanding of UK fashion retail trends.
• Experience with licensed product design and brand compliance.

Responsibilities

• Manage the design process from concept to final samples.
• Own the seasonal design calendar and deliver timely outputs.
• Collaborate with Buying and Merchandising to align product design.

Skills

Fashion design knowledge

Trend analysis

Supplier relationship management

Creative direction leadership

Education

Degree in Fashion Design or related field

Job description

Senior Designer – Watford

We are currently recruiting an exciting opportunity for a Senior Designer to join our Pep&Co clothing brand, based in our offices in Watford. The role will be responsible for leading the in‑house clothing design function across womenswear, menswear, childrenswear and non‑clothing categories. The Senior Designer will partner the Buying and Merchandising team to ensure the clothing range is both creative and commercially viable – balancing inspiration, cost and speed to market. This role is key to driving the creative and commercial success of Pep&Co and offers a fantastic opportunity to grow with the business. The role will work on a hybrid basis with flexibility to work from home up to two days per week.

We uphold three core behaviours that guide all our actions:
Love Our Customers: We strive to delight our customers, listening and responding to their needs because they are our priority.
Care for Our Colleagues: We support each other to foster a workplace where everyone can thrive.
Protect Our Pounds/Euros: We are committed to cost‑efficiency and value, ensuring every penny counts.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Responsibilities

• Manage the design process from concept through to final samples, maintaining brand integrity and commercial focus.
• Own the seasonal design calendar, ensuring timely delivery of colour palettes, trend boards, print direction and CAD packs aligned to range sign‑off milestones.
• Work collaboratively with Buying and Merchandising to deliver product that is both design‑led and value‑engineered for price, margin and quality.
• Translate global and UK trend forecasts into relevant, value‑appropriate product direction.
• Oversee print, graphics and packaging direction, ensuring artwork is on‑brand, commercial and production‑ready.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships and supporting design development.
• Lead the creative direction for licensed and DTR (Direct‑to‑Retail) ranges, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines, license approvals and commercial targets.
• Drive innovation through sustainable materials, improved design processes and new ways of working.
• Support the Head of Trading in presenting seasonal design direction to leadership teams and key stakeholders.

Salary: Circa £60,000
Contract type: Full time
Working pattern: Permanent, hybrid

Qualifications

• Previous experience of working as a Senior Merchandiser leading clothing design across multiple categories.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in Fashion Design, Textile Design or a related field.
• Strong understanding of UK value fashion retail, customer trends and high‑street competition.
• In‑depth knowledge of licensed product and DTR design processes, including approvals, artwork management and brand compliance.
• Broad product knowledge across womenswear, menswear, kidswear and non‑clothing categories.
• Experience managing design function within a value, supermarket, high‑street retailer or retail supplier.
• Demonstrated ability to translate trend insights into commercial, best‑selling collections.
• Experience working with international supplier bases and managing design development to production.

Why choose us?

• Professional development – A comprehensive induction plan and in‑house development programmes, including apprenticeship options.
• Bonus potential – Unlock the possibility of earning additional bonuses, rewarding your hard work and achievements.
• Car allowance – Enjoy the advantage of a car allowance, allowing you to choose your own vehicle while reducing commuting costs.
• Free on‑site parking – Convenience for daily commute.