Design Manager - Next Sourcing - 12 Months Fixed Term Contract

NEXT Retail Ltd.; Leicester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company is seeking a Design Manager to oversee their Childrenswear design department. Responsibilities include leading a team of designers, managing the strategic direction of product ranges, and staying ahead of market trends. This role requires excellent communication skills and a passion for inspiring team creativity. Travel for trade shows and factory visits is expected.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in a design or creative environment.
• Strong ability to communicate and inspire a team of designers.
• Passion for Childrenswear and market trends.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Childrenswear Design team in developing multi-product ranges.
• Inspire and manage designers and assistants, providing strategic guidance.
• Identify and communicate design trends to the wider team.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication skills

Trend awareness

Time management

Job description

Overview

Leicester Head Office - Typically 5 days in the office with core hours between 8am to 6pm.

We are looking for a Design Manager to lead our ever growing Next Sourcing Childrenswear design department. This is a rare opportunity and one not to be missed. You will be inspiring a team of fantastic designers and leading the trend direction, design initiative and growth for this multi-product category.

Responsibilities

• Reporting into the Product Director, the Design Manager will have responsibility for the recruitment and growth of the Childrenswear Design team, focusing on multi-product ranges.
• You will oversee the ongoing development of the team, managing and inspiring a team of Designers and Assistants. You will support them in their day-to-day roles while providing input and advice on the strategic direction of their ranges.
• Trend and Creative Direction: Having a great design vision and awareness of changing market trends, identify and clearly communicate new, growing and declining trends with support of the wider design team.
• Team Leadership: Effectively communicating the company vision and direction with clear goals and expectations, keeping the team highly motivated and inspired to contribute their best. Creating a positive environment through recognition and constructive feedback where openness is encouraged.
• Communication: Understanding the need for strong and effective communication, building and maintaining relationships with your immediate team as well as collaborating with other key stakeholders across the Next Sourcing Childrenswear category.
• Travel: Travel will feature heavily in this role with visits to global trade shows, inspirational trips and factory visits.

Team and Collaboration

Having excellent communication skills and the ability to influence within the wider team; you will have the chance to really take this role to the next level. Working within the design sector with excellent knowledge of trends, you will be forward thinking and confident in communicating across all levels. You will be looking for that next step in your career development, ready to take on new challenges. You will be organised with excellent time management. You will be passionate about Childrenswear and have exciting ideas of how to push this department forward. A team player with excellent people skills is a must, inspiring you to lead a team of talented designers across a wealth of product areas.