Design Manager @Mrporter

YNAP GROUP; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading luxury fashion company based in the UK is looking for a talented Design Manager to oversee product design and development. The ideal candidate will have a BA in Menswear fashion design, strong knowledge of sustainable practices, and experience in leading teams. The role includes driving creative direction, managing design processes, and collaborating across departments to ensure product success. Flexible working options are available.

Benefits

Performance bonus schemes

Pension contribution

Discount portal

Staff discount

Private healthcare

Flexible working

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of sustainable practices, fibres and fabric.
• Strong eye for luxury menswear trends and product quality.
• Demonstrable experience in people management.

Responsibilities

• Drive creative product direction for the brands.
• Oversee the design team's processes and outputs.
• Build relationships to inspire and achieve commercial results.
• Lead the design and development process from concept to production.

Skills

Sustainable practices

Product design

People management

Trend analysis

Collaboration

Education

BA or equivalent in Menswear fashion design

Tools

Photoshop

Illustrator

CAD software

Job description

Overview

MR PORTER is the men's luxury style destination. Since 2011, it has offered customers a curated assortment of fashion, fine watches, grooming and lifestyle products from the world's most coveted designers. It delivers exceptional quality with private label, Mr P, and market-leading exclusive capsule collaborations with brand partners. MR PORTER creates unique experiences for its EIPs (Extremely Important People), with first access to products, a dedicated personal shopper and invitation-only benefits. Through content across all its platforms, it provides expert styling advice, immersive storytelling, and profiles inspiring men, places and products. Consciously Crafted, its responsible product curation, supports customers to shop with a focus on conscious consumerism. MR PORTER Health In Mind, its long-standing initiative in partnership with Movember, raises awareness of men\'s mental and physical health. MR PORTER is part of LuxExperience, the leading digital, multi-brand luxury group.

MR PORTER are now seeking a talented Design Manager to join the team. Some of the essentials for you to know are:

Location

Location: Our Westfield office in Shepherd\'s Bush

Benefits

• Performance bonus schemes dependant on the type of role you are in
• A pension that both you and the company contribute too
• A portal with an array of discounts on things like theme park and cinema tickets
• Our famous staff discount along with exclusive staff sales
• Private healthcare for you and your family
• Flexible working
• A chance to be part of a fun and caring team that support each other

What you\'ll be doing

• Be the driving force behind the creative product direction of the brands within Private Label Division.
• In collaboration with the Style Director, provide strong and consistent product direction, owning the process of balancing the range to include development of seasonal key looks, fashion items and essential pieces appropriate for the Mr Porter Customer
• Be a strategic business manager, overseeing the design teams processes, demonstrating best practice
• Build effective relationships and Influence effectively at all levels to inspire and debate key issues in order to get the best commercial results
• Lead the Design team with full accountability for output quality and delivery, overseeing the complete design and development process from concept to production, including management of the critical path through to first prototype.
• Contribute to the group-wide Sustainability Strategy through sustainable fabric and yarn sourcing
• In collaboration with the Technical team, refine existing and develop new blocks for the Mr P customer, ensuring consistency of fit and maintaining customer expectations to help reduce return rates.
• Working collaboratively with the Merchandising, Product Development and Technical teams to ensure tasks are executed and seasons are launched in line with the critical path. Including, but not limited to: Sketch and Swatch meetings, Knitdown Developments, Fabric & Print Developments and Prototype Launches.
• Work closely with the Style Director, Buying Director, Buyer & Merchandiser to generate and communicate key product direction and brand \'handwriting\'
• Continuously critique and develop new ideas to move the brand forward to stay ahead of the competition
• Demonstrate an in-depth, customer-focused understanding of market trends and the needs and profiles of both the Mr P and Mr Porter customers.
• Contribute to the successful management of product-focused aspects of key events such as Press Days and Pre-Season showroom presentations for key internal stakeholders and relevant teams.
• Define and communicate a clear vision of the future and translate this into understandable goals and targets
• Build a strong team with a focus on succession planning
• Lead ad hoc cross functional/brand-wide projects/strategy

The type of person we are looking for

• BA or equivalent in Menswear fashion design
• An in-depth knowledge of sustainable practices, fibres and fabric, reaching beyond the everyday, regular sustainable certificates.
• Strong eye for product, fabric, colour, fit and trend in luxury menswear market
• Proficiency in design software including Photoshop, Illustrator and CAD software
• Self-direction: ability to communicate findings, make recommendations, and facilitate change
• Strong facilitation skills - ability to lead the group through effective ideation collation of output
• Demonstrable experience in People Management - ability to gain trust, respect and confidence quickly and effectively
• Ability to initiate and build strong relationships with both internal and external partners
• Experience of working to deadlines as part of a design and product development team
• Understanding of the entry luxury/Luxury market and has a good understanding of finishing and fabric idea development
• Passion for product and translate this into unique and commercial product ranges in line with Mr. Porter brand values
• Experience in woven, jersey and knitted garments for RTW, plus suede and leather, canvas and technical fabrics for both outwear and accessories.

From the moment you join the LuxExperience Group we are committed to making your journey with us inspirational and evolutionary. If you are passionate, committed and thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced environment, then please apply with a CV.

LuxExperience is an equal opportunities employer, we encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We recognize and celebrate the benefits that diversity brings to our workplace, our business and our customers. We welcome and will consider all applications regardless of race and nationality, religion, color, sex, pregnancy or related medical conditions, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability, or any other legally protected characteristics.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to complete your application, please do not hesitate to advise us accordingly.

Experience Level: Mid-Senior level
Workplace Type: Hybrid