Senior Category Manager - Lifestyle

ThruDark; Poole; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Kit allowance

Hybrid working

Access to latest technology

Salary-sacrifice pension

Team events

On-site gym

Job summary

ThruDark in Poole, United Kingdom, is seeking a Senior Creative Product Leader to own the vision, direction and end-to-end creation of its Lifestyle category. You will translate brand ambition and customer insight into a distinctive premium apparel range from concept through launch.

You’ll lead the cross-functional team, shape collection architecture, and ensure product decisions strengthen the ThruDark brand while maintaining quality, feasibility and timely delivery.

Qualifications

• Proven track record leading premium apparel collections from concept to launch.
• Strong creative judgment and brand storytelling ability.
• Excellent leadership and programme-management skills.
• Ability to translate customer insight into product ideas.

Responsibilities

• Set multi-season creative and product vision for Lifestyle.
• Build seasonal collection concept, narrative and range direction.
• Shape collection architecture for coherence across product types.
• Lead full concept-to-launch process with design and development.
• Direct silhouette, colour, materials, detailing with Product Design.
• Present vision and decisions to senior leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Product vision

Concept development

Cross-functional teamwork

Job description

ThruDark’s Product Department stands at the forefront of design, performance, and innovation. Each product is a reflection of our relentless pursuit of excellence crafted with precision, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to quality. From concept to completion, this team ensures every piece embodies the ThruDark ethos: resilient, refined, and ready for the elements.

We’re seeking a senior creative product leader to own the vision, direction and end-to-end creation of ThruDark’s Lifestyle category. This role is accountable for taking the collection from early concept through design, development and launch turning brand ambition, customer insight and cultural relevance into distinctive premium apparel. Acting as the creative and product authority for Lifestyle, you’ll set the standard for the range, make clear product decisions and ensure every piece strengthens the ThruDark brand.

The Senior Category Manager is the creative and product owner for Lifestyle. You’ll originate concepts, define the product vision, direct the range and lead each product through the full concept-to-launch journey. Product Design and Product Development are key delivery partners: Design supports creative execution, while Product Development owns technical feasibility, specifications, construction, supplier delivery, quality and production readiness.

• Set the multi-season creative and product vision for the Lifestyle category, aligned with ThruDark’s brand direction and product strategy.
• Build the seasonal collection concept, narrative and range direction, establishing a clear and distinctive point of view for Lifestyle.
• Shape the overall collection architecture, ensuring the range is balanced, coherent and purposeful across product types and customer needs.
• Use customer insight, cultural shifts, market awareness and trend research to identify relevant opportunities and inspire original product ideas.
• Originate product concepts and write detailed creative and product briefs that define the purpose, customer, design intent, aesthetic, functionality and launch objective.
• Lead the full concept-to-launch process, guiding products through concept development, design, prototyping, sampling, approval and launch.
• Work closely with Product Design to direct silhouette, colour, materials, detailing and product expression, providing clear and constructive creative feedback.
• Partner with Product Development to translate approved concepts into technically resolved products, challenging and resolving issues involving feasibility, construction, quality, cost and timing.
• Lead range and product reviews, making clear decisions and recommendations at concept, design, sample and launch-approval stages.
• Maintain creative and product coherence across the collection, balancing innovation, wearability, performance, quality and brand relevance.
• Lead the cross-functional Lifestyle agenda across Product Design, Product Development, Merchandising, Marketing and Digital, ensuring the product vision is carried through consistently to launch.
• Present the Lifestyle vision, roadmap, product direction, key decisions and material risks to the Product Director and senior leadership.
  How success will be measured:
• A distinctive, coherent and premium Lifestyle collection that clearly strengthens the ThruDark brand.
• Strong original concepts and briefs that translate successfully into finished products.
• High-quality creative and product decisions, with clear direction and timely approvals.
• On‑time progression through concept, design, development, sampling and launch stages.
• Products that deliver against their intended purpose and generate useful customer and performance learning.
  About you:
• A strong track record leading premium apparel collections from concept through to launch at senior product, creative or category level.
• Evidence of originating strong product concepts and shaping distinctive, coherent seasonal collections.
• Exceptional creative judgement and a strong point of view on premium apparel, product, materials and brand expression.
• Proven ability to translate brand vision, customer insight and cultural relevance into compelling product ideas and clear creative briefs.
• Confident operating at senior level, setting direction, making product decisions, presenting recommendations and constructively challenging creative and technical teams.
• Deep understanding of garment construction, materials, manufacturing and product development, with the judgement to make informed design and product decisions.
• Significant experience leading design and development processes, including product briefs, prototyping, sampling, reviews and final approvals.
• Exceptional leadership and programme‑management skills, with experience directing complex cross-functional work from initial concept through to launch.
• Passionate about premium products, innovation and creating world‑class consumer experiences.
  In return:
• Join a passionate, friendly and driven team.
• ThruDark kit allowance throughout the year.
• Access to the latest technology and software needed for your role.
• Flexible working hours and hybrid‑working options.
• Salary‑sacrifice pension scheme.
• Regular team events and outings.
• On‑site gym for personal use.

ThruDark is committed to equal opportunities and to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates and do not discriminate because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.