Design Manager - Footwear

Barbour; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading fashion company is seeking a Design Manager for a temporary maternity cover position. This role is focused on leading the footwear design team, ensuring that all designs align with the brand's DNA and commercial objectives. The successful candidate will develop innovative collections while managing cross-functional communication. Candidates must possess a footwear design degree, strong people management skills, and a proactive mindset. Competitive benefits include a discretionary bonus scheme and 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays.

Benefits

Discretionary Company bonus scheme

Staff discount

Staff shop

Healthcare cash plan

25 days holiday increasing with service

Free onsite parking

Subsidised canteen

Qualifications

• Must have a strong background in footwear design.
• Experience in managing a team is essential.
• Proven ability to create engaging presentations.

Responsibilities

• Lead new designs and innovations aligning with Brand DNA.
• Develop consumer-focused designs achieving commercial targets.
• Ensure comfort and wearability of products.

Skills

Footwear Design degree or equivalent experience

People management experience

Confidence in presenting designs

Understanding of production methods

Commercial experience in costing and negotiation

Creativity and imagination in design

Ability to produce original ideas

Strong organizational and interpersonal skills

Resilience and ability to manage challenges

Proactive and dynamic mindset

Education

Footwear Design degree or equivalent

Job description

Position Overview

We are currently recruiting for a Design Manager to join our Footwear team on a temporary Maternity Cover basis, based at Barbour House, South Shields. Along with the Head of Footwear you will lead in shaping our footwear collections. You will be responsible for overseeing the design and development of Barbour footwear and delivering market-leading, innovative global designs which align to our brand DNA and seasonal creative direction and drive our footwear into the future. Commercially you will develop ranges with an end price in mind, have responsibility for achieving agreed margin and work directly with manufacturers to ensure the design, development and range requirements are met.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead on new designs, trends, innovations, and technical advancements from the industry in line with Brand DNA, strategic and seasonal creative direction.
• Working with the Designer deliver consumer focused designs aligned with brand DNA and range direction, and which achieve commercial targets.
• Assist in and oversee the creation of seasonal creative direction, trend overviews, colour, and mood boards.
• Ensure new designs align with target consumer needs and desire.
• Ensure comfort and wearability are always very high on the agenda so we produce a quality reliable product.
• Assist the Head in the accurate and timely communication between key cross-functional partners – Sales, Marketing, and supply chain.
• Assist in driving margin across footwear categories, and design and develop to a price.
• For your category ensure all necessary PLM info is correctly uploaded to a high standard and in a timely manner.
• Lead the specification and product development process for your category with the support the Technical Manager.
• Product integrity- Aims to instil quality in the product from onset of development through final production.

Skills and Experience

• Footwear Design degree or equivalent experience.
• People management experience
• Confident in presenting your designs formally and informally and solid experience in creating powerful and engaging content to illustrate and communicate ideas clearly.
• A practical knowledge and experience of production methods
• Solid proven commercial experience in costing, margin and negotiation.
• A flair for design with great creativity and imagination
• Ability to produce original ideas on upcoming trends
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, collaborative and negotiation skills.
• Able to work in a fluid, fast-paced, multi-channel environment.
• Resilient and able to manage challenge and resistance
• Independent and objective thinker
• Prioritising, decision making, organising workloads and delivery priorities
• Able to work well in a busy environment and remain calm under pressure
• Proactive and dynamic mindset
• Problem solver, collaborative and inclusive
• Numerate with solid negotiation skillset.

Benefits

• Discretionary Company bonus scheme
• Staff discount
• Staff shop
• Healthcare cash plan
• 25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays
• Free onsite parking
• Subsidised canteen