Fabrics - Commercial - Senior Designer

Sanderson Design Group; Lancaster; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanderson Design Group is seeking a Senior Designer to join Standfast & Barracks, leading design direction, mentoring teammates and making high‑level creative and technical decisions. You will contribute to Design, Colour and Creative Marketing projects and provide support to the Sales team for external visits and tradeshows.

The role involves shaping long‑term design direction based on market insight, researching customers, creating trend boards, and using CAD to craft original artwork.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years’ experience in the industry.
• Must have well developed skills in art and design using a wide variety of media and styles.
• A sound knowledge of CAD skills, particularly Photoshop and AVA.
• Experience in creating and using set colour palettes.
• Experience in a Sales role would be advantageous.
• Good organisation skills and the ability to manage their own time effectively.
• Team player with ability to work in a team and individually.

Responsibilities

• Create and innovate for Standfast & Barracks and Anstey design teams across fabric and wallpaper.
• Show creative leadership within the Design team; support the Design Supervisor with setting design direction.
• Provide mentoring and oversight to other members of the wider team.
• Give comprehensive training to new members of the team.
• Lead on various creative projects and report back to Design Supervisor and Head of Department.
• Make higher‑level decisions on bases, production methods and feasibility for customers.
• Shape long‑term design direction based on market insight.
• Research, profile and forecast existing and potential customers using books, websites and other media.
• Work with Design and Creative Marketing to create trend and colour boards for customers.
• Use various media to create original artwork; follow brief accurately.
• Create final designs printed on appropriate cloth; explore bases and advise less experienced members.
• Work on large collections with customers both remotely and on‑site, keeping them informed and sticking to critical path timings.
• Support Bulk Colourists with initial prints during busy periods.
• Prepare complex designs for colouration.
• Collaborate with Business Development Managers to select market portfolios for visits.
• Travel with BD Managers to meetings, on-site or online.
• Work with Creative Marketing to develop marketing tools including digital pattern books and mail campaigns.
• Assist with internal photoshoots and in‑house styling opportunities.
• Maintain good housekeeping standards and carry out other duties as requested.
• Comply with Health and Safety policies and promote a safe culture.

Skills

Art & Design

CAD (Photoshop AVA)

Colour palette development

Sales experience advantageous

Time management

Teamwork

Tools

Photoshop

AVA CAD

Job description

At Sanderson Design Group, we are always looking for talented, ambitious and motivated people to join our team.

We're seeking a Senior Designer to join our Standfast & Barracks team leading design direction, mentor and train other members of the team, and make higher‑level creative and technical decisions.

Contributing to Design, Colour and Creative Marketing projects to produce collections and provide support to the Sales team for external visits, meetings and tradeshows.

About Us :

Sanderson Design Group plc is a luxury interior design house, home to six iconic brands with over 165 years of history: Sanderson, Morris & Co., Harlequin, Zoffany, Clarke & Clarke, and Scion. Our portfolio spans fabric, wallpaper, and paint, with manufacturing capabilities through Anstey and Standfast & Barracks. Our purpose is to ‘bring the beautiful into people’s homes and lives’ and we are the proud owner of one of Europe’s largest design archives, with over 75,000 historical documents and artworks. We also have a growing international licensing programme which supports our strategic global expansion.

Key Responsibilities:

• To create and innovate for both the Standfast & Barracks and Anstey design teams across fabric and wallpaper
• Show creative leadership within the Design team; support the Design Supervisor with setting design direction
• Provide mentoring and give oversight to other members of the wider team
• Give comprehensive training to new members of the team
• Lead on various creative projects, and report and present this back to the Design Supervisor and Head of Department
• Make higher‑level decisions on bases, production methods and feasibility for our customers
• Shape long‑term design direction based on market insight
• Extensively research, profile and forecast existing and potential customers using books, websites, and other media
• Work closely with the Design and Creative Marketing team to create regular trend and colour boards relevant to our customers
• Use a variety of media to create original artwork. Must be able to use creative initiative as well as following direction given accurately and to a brief
• Artworks and archive documents must be scanned correctly and advanced layouts and repeats created using CAD in a creative and complex way
• Well-balanced and on‑trend colourways created, and customer CADs and swatches matched to with great accuracy
• Final designs must be printed on the appropriate cloth. Different bases must be explored, and advice given to less experienced members of the team
• Work on large collections with customers both remotely and on‑site, keeping them well‑informed and sticking to Critical Path timings
• Support Bulk Colourists with initial prints throughout busy periods
• Separate complex designs ready for colouration
• Work with the Business Development Managers to develop initial print businesses. This will involve selecting market appropriate portfolios for customer visits
• Travel with the Business Development Managers to face‑to‑face customer meetings or attend these online
• Work closely with the Creative Marketing Supervisor to create relevant, on‑trend marketing tools including digital pattern books and mail campaigns. Support on internal photoshoots and in‑house styling opportunities
• To keep good standards of housekeeping
• Carry out all other reasonable duties as requested
• Comply with all Health and Safety policies and regulations
• Work in a safe manner and promote a positive and safe culture

Connecting with others:

• High standard of communication with external customers via email, telephone and in person.
• Working with customers face‑to‑face when they are on site in the archive or colouring collections.
• Keep fantastic levels of communication between departments throughout the business, to ensure workflow is efficient.
• Work closely on initial prints with Planning, Customer Services and Business Development personnel.
• Work on keeping training plans up to date and provide extensive and detailed training for junior members of the team.

Skills & Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience in the industry.
• Must have well developed skills in art and design using a wide variety of media and styles
• A sound knowledge of CAD skills, particularly Photoshop and AVA
• Experience in creating and using set colour palettes
• Experience in a Sales role would be advantageous
• Good organisation skills and the ability to manage their own time effectively
• Team player with ability to work in a team and individually

Values & Behaviours:

• Intrepid: Take responsibility and learning from both success and challenges.
• Imaginative: Proactively seek solutions, make thoughtful decisions quickly and step forward with confidence.
• Respectful: Create a space for open conversations where everyone can share ideas and challenge each other with respect and care.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all and we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds.