Design Manager

MacGregor Black; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

MacGregor Black is partnering with a privately owned UK consumer brand in the North West to recruit a Design Manager with a strong point of view and hands-on product passion.

You will shape the creative direction, lead the design team, and translate cultural and consumer trends into commercial collections across apparel. Travel for research and supplier meetings may be required.

Qualifications

• Proven track record designing for contemporary or lifestyle brands.
• Strong creative point of view and product instinct.
• Experience taking collections from concept through approval.
• Awareness of fashion trends and culture.
• Understanding of garment construction, fit, fabrics and development.
• Experience collaborating with suppliers and factories.
• Ability to balance creativity with commercial viability.
• Confident in leading and influencing a design team.
• Curious, proactive and able to work independently.
• Hands-on and passionate about product.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design direction across the apparel range.
• Develop seasonal and in-season collections from concept through to final product.
• Identify emerging trends, cultural shifts and new product opportunities.
• Translate research and inspiration into original, relevant product.
• Work closely with Buying to balance creativity with commercial potential.
• Lead the design process across silhouette, colour, fabrication, trims and garment detail.
• Work directly with suppliers and factories throughout development and sampling.
• Review samples, fits and final product execution to achieve standards.
• Provide clear creative direction and feedback to the wider design team.
• Travel for research, inspiration, sourcing and supplier meetings where required.
• Contribute to wider creative projects where relevant.
• Work cross-functionally with Buying, Merchandising and Product teams throughout the product lifecycle.

Skills

Strong design leadership

Contemporary fashion

Streetwear & sportswear insight

Concept to final product

Trend intuition

Garment construction

Fabric knowledge

Supplier collaboration

Creative direction

Team leadership

Independent working

Commercial awareness

Job description

Are you a Design Manager with a strong point of view and a genuine passion for product?

Do you know how to turn cultural and consumer trends into distinctive, commercially relevant collections?

Are you looking for the opportunity to shape the creative direction of a growing consumer brand rather than simply inherit an established formula?

MacGregor Black are partnering with a privately owned UK consumer brand on the search for a Design Manager, based in the North West.

Working closely with senior leadership, Buying and the wider Product function, the Design Manager will play a key role in shaping that next phase.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design direction across the apparel range.
• Develop seasonal and in-season collections from concept through to final product.
• Identify emerging trends, cultural shifts and new product opportunities.
• Translate research and inspiration into original, relevant product.
• Work closely with Buying to build ranges that balance creativity with commercial potential.
• Lead the design process across silhouette, colour, fabrication, trims and garment detail.
• Work directly with suppliers and factories throughout development and sampling.
• Review samples, fits and final product execution to ensure the required standard is achieved.
• Provide clear creative direction and feedback to the wider design team.
• Introduce new ideas and ways of working that continue to raise the standard of the function.
• Travel for research, inspiration, sourcing and supplier meetings where required.
• Contribute to wider creative projects where relevant.
• Work cross-functionally with Buying, Merchandising and Product teams throughout the product lifecycle.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong design experience within contemporary fashion, streetwear, sportswear or a relevant lifestyle brand.
• A clear creative point of view and strong instinct for product.
• Experience developing collections from initial concept through to final approval.
• Strong awareness of fashion, culture and emerging consumer trends.
• Good understanding of garment construction, fit, fabrics and product development.
• Experience working directly with suppliers and factories.
• An ability to balance creativity with commercial awareness.
• Confidence leading and influencing a design team.
• Comfortable challenging existing thinking and bringing new ideas into the business.
• Curious, proactive and comfortable working independently.
• A hands-on approach and genuine passion for product.