Head of Design (Alternative Revenue)

Norton Motorcycles; Monkspath; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A notable British motorcycle brand is seeking a creative lead for their merchandise and riding gear design. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in product development, particularly in apparel or related fields, with a strong portfolio. This position offers a competitive salary, generous holiday, and various benefits within a vibrant team environment.

Benefits

33 days holiday including Bank Holidays

Generous pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Free fruit

Electric bicycle hire

Free on-site parking

Life insurance (4x salary)

Qualifications

• 8+ years in apparel, merchandise, or related fields.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating successful product development.
• Deep knowledge of materials and performance standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead design for branded merchandise from concept to production.
• Collaborate with suppliers to develop riding gear collections.
• Create tech packs for product communication.

Skills

Product development

Collaboration

Trend research

Technical design

Job description

We’re not just another bike brand - we're an iconic, British motorcycle brand with over 120 years of history behind us. Our new state-of-the-art facilities in Solihull, West Midlands are home to a passionate team dedicated to delivering exceptional riding experiences.

Under new ownership and part of the TVS Motor family, we are entering a new era of global success. Join us in shaping this exciting future!

At Norton, we value respect, trust, and responsibility. We empower our employees to perform their roles with professionalism and encourage personal development through teaching and learning. When you join our team, you'll grow and learn alongside some of the most talented people in the industry.

The role

We are seeking a creative and commercially-minded individual to lead the design and development of our global merchandise and riding gear portfolio. You will focus on combining functionality, performance, and authentic brand expression, working closely with external suppliers and cross-functional teams to bring compelling collections to market. These products will serve our riders and our broader community of brand fans, strengthening their connection to Norton.

Reporting to the Global Director of Alt Revenue, this role is critical in expanding customer loyalty and alternative revenue streams.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design for branded merchandise and casual clothing, from concept to production.
• Collaborate with trusted suppliers to develop riding gear collections that embody Norton's brand ethos.
• Create detailed technical packages (tech packs) for all products to ensure clear communication with suppliers and manufacturers.
• Ensure designs reflect brand identity, meet performance standards, and satisfy customer lifestyle needs.
• Partner with external designers and suppliers to deliver high-quality, on-brand products.
• Conduct trend research, gather customer feedback, and perform competitive benchmarking to guide design direction.

• Work with the Global Director of Alt-Revenue and the Alt-Rev merchandiser to define seasonal and long-term product roadmaps for casual clothing, merchandise, and riding gear.
• Coordinate product deliveries with key brand moments, launches, and regional market needs.
• Oversee sampling, fit approval, and product testing to ensure quality, safety, and durability, especially for riding gear.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Align product development with marketing, retail, aftersales, and eCommerce strategies.
• Ensure merchandise and apparel reflect company brand guidelines in collaboration with design teams.

Candidate Profile

• 8+ years in apparel, merchandise, or related development, preferably within fashion, lifestyle, motorsport, motorcycle, or sportswear sectors.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating successful product development.
• Deep knowledge of materials, fit, construction, and performance standards.
• Experience working directly with global suppliers from concept to delivery.
• Collaborative, with the ability to balance creativity, technical requirements, and business objectives.
• Understanding of customer lifestyle trends within premium automotive or motorcycle communities.
• Organized and detail-oriented, capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Rewards

We offer a competitive salary, 33 days of holiday (including Bank Holidays), a generous pension scheme, private medical insurance, life insurance (4x salary), and other benefits such as free fruit, employee assistance programs, electric bicycle hire, free on-site parking, and electric charge points. Join our vibrant team for a rewarding career with opportunities for growth and participation in engaging company events and initiatives.

Note: We do not accept agency applications.