Design Director - Ladieswear

The Retail Partnership Ltd; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A key fashion supplier is seeking a Design Director to lead their women's fashion offering, with crucial Primark experience. The ideal candidate will drive a fast fashion approach, build relationships with Primark Buyers, and oversee a design team. This role offers a six-figure package and some hybrid working. Strong leadership and commercial awareness are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven design experience within a supplier for high street retailers.
• Essential Primark experience.
• Ability to improve processes and drive efficiency.
• Confident in building relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a womenswear design team.
• Drive a short lead, fashion-first approach.
• Build relationships with Primark Buyers and Designers.
• Focus on knitted fashion and casual apparel.
• Review and improve design processes.
• Guide fabric sourcing and oversee product development.

Skills

Strong womenswear design experience

Commercial awareness

Trend awareness

Leadership

Relationship building with Buyers and Designers

Job description

Our client is a key fashion supplier to major high street retailers, with Primark being one of their largest customers. They are looking for a Design Director with proven Primark experience to lead and grow their women's fashion offering. This is a new, pivotal role reporting into the Managing Director.

The ideal candidate will be a commercially aware, trend-led leader who can build strong relationships with Primark Buyers and Designers, while driving a fast fashion, short lead mindset that delivers compelling, ready-to-buy collections. You will lead and develop a womenswear team, shape the seasonal vision, oversee Tech Pack and sample development, improve design processes, and ensure high conversion of samples into orders.

There is scope to influence additional product categories over time. A six-figure package is available for someone who brings strong leadership, strategic contribution, and credibility in the fast fashion market.

Main Responsibilities Will Include

• Lead and grow a womenswear design team
• Drive a short lead, fashion-first approach, delivering constant newness and ready-to-buy collections.
• Build strong working relationships with Primark Buyers and Designers to ensure commercial relevance and high sample conversion.
• Focus on knitted fashion, casual wovens, and licensed apparel, with scope to expand into more categories.
• Review and improve design processes to enhance efficiency and workflow.
• Stay ahead of trends, guide fabric sourcing, oversee sampling and product development, and produce Tech Packs.
• Act as a strategic and hands‑on leader with scope to influence other departments over time.

Person Specifications

• Strong womenswear design experience within a supplier working with major high street retailers.
• Primark experience is essential.
• Proven leadership and team development ability.
• Strong commercial eye with excellent trend awareness.
• Experience improving processes and driving efficiency.
• Confident in building relationships with Buyers and Designers.

Why Join

An influential leadership role shaping future womenswear direction. Six-figure package available for the right individual who brings vision, confidence, and impact, and some Hybrid working.