Head of Womenswear Clothing

BARBOUR; Jarrow; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned fashion brand in Jarrow seeks a Head of Womenswear Clothing to lead the womenswear design team. The role focuses on managing the clothing business, aligning products with global market opportunities, and ensuring high standards of quality and craftsmanship. Ideal candidates will have extensive design experience, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the womenswear market. The position includes international travel and a dynamic work environment. Attractive benefits and hybrid working options are provided.

Benefits

Discretionary Company bonus scheme

Staff discount

Healthcare cash plan

25 days holiday

Access to training and development

Free onsite parking

Subsidised canteen

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Womenswear clothing design and development.
• Ability to lead and manage design teams effectively.
• Outstanding market and competitor understanding.

Responsibilities

• Manage and direct the Womenswear Clothing business.
• Align clothing range with global market opportunities.
• Lead product design and development in accordance with business needs.

Skills

Understanding of Womenswear apparel

Design & Development experience

Problem-solving skills

People management

Communication skills

Presentation skills

IT skills

Job description

Company Description

The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. Still family owned and now fifth generation, Barbour HQ remains in South Shields. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the US and Asia offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside. The iconic Barbour Bedale and Barbour Beaufort wax jackets continue to be made by hand in the factory in South Shields. In 2020, Barbour launched Wax for Life, an overarching name for all of Barbour's wax services designed to encourage customers to extend the life of their wax garments. Wax for Life includes re-waxing and repairs (first introduced in 1921) and Barbour Re‑Loved an upcycling circularity initiative. Each year over 70,000 wax garments are sent back to Barbour globally to be repaired, rewaxed or altered.

Position Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Womenswear Clothing to join our fast‑paced womenswear design team, based our Head Office in South Shields. You will be responsible for the management & direction of the Womenswear Clothing business in line with agreed objectives. Driving the business forward across brands & categories in relation to sales, margin & strategic direction with adherence to agreed timelines. A key focus of the role will be aligning the Clothing range with the market opportunity (Global) on Price, on product direction and range structure and on relevance.

You will drive development to align to the retailers and their needs. In reference to our competitor set and the comparative ranges available to the market. While ensuring all womenswear clothing meets the company's high standards for quality, durability and craftmanship. You will be a key and valued member of the womenswear leadership team and will be pivotal in driving our 5yr strategy in product and sourcing plans.

Key expertise in Womenswear Jersey, Knitwear and Woven's are fundamental.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• In partnership with the Womenswear Director (and wider leadership team) deliver outstanding market leading product ranges that capitalise on the global market opportunities and needs, ensuring we deliver the agreed 5yr plan.
• Drive Womenswear Clothing forward balancing authenticity and relevance. Focussing on developing the product plans that are needed to achieve our business goals and our 5yr plan. This would both be at a high level, range direction/ priorities etc, and a more detailed level i.e. items and price points.
• Lead and manage the Barbour Design Manager and BI and APAC Design, Design Manager (clothing team), ensuring alignment with our standards and business objectives. Foster a culture of working hard together and continuous improvement.
• With support from the Womenswear Director, ensure team are engaged and focus on all aspects of product design & development and deliver season on season product excellence. Ensuring all these aspects are implemented:
  • Clear evidence of market research, covering the global market and competitor.
  • Informed planning of the range by style/ SKU/ price/ category focus/ story.
  • Manage the process of design & development in line with business needs and agreed BEEP timelines
  • Ensure product integrity is maintained; quality is assured, and sustainability is built where possible.
  • Support the sales/ marketing and product triangle.
  • Actively engage (you and your team) and help drive BEEP, in the main ranges as well as the SMU programs and all collaborations.

Skills and Experience

• Outstanding understanding of Womenswear apparel and what makes a great product (fabrics, detail, fit and competitors etc).
• Extensive experience of Design & Development especially in Womenswear clothing. Covering all aspects: costs/margin/RRP's, seasonal drops and collections.
• Long established experience of working with overseas suppliers.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of brand and retailers in both UK and Global markets.
• Experience working with global markets - Europe / USA / ASIA.
• Outstanding, effective problem solving and decision‑making skills.
• Proactive, assertive, organised, capable of prioritising workload and able to deliver to given timelines.
• Strong people management skills - ability to lead a management team is a must.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• All‑round IT skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the Barbour brand positioning, it's heritage and competitor brands.

Additional Information

• This role will require an extensive amount of travel both in the UK and Internationally.

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
• Access to training and development activities to support your career development
• Free onsite parking
• Subsidised canteen
• Operate hybrid & flexible working
• 4pm finish on a Friday
• Wellbeing support
• Refer a friend bonus scheme
• Reward & Recognition Program
• Length of Service Rewards

Note

In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.