Design Manager - Womenswear

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.

If the following job requirements and experience match your skills, please ensure you apply promptly.

Position Overview:

We have an exciting opportunity for a Design Manager to join our fast-paced Womenswear Design team on a temporary Maternity cover based at Barbour House, South Shields. As BI and APAC Design Manager you will lead the design team for both clothing and outerwear, creating an inspiring heritage rich product offer. Oversea the design process from concept to final cohesive ranges and to ensure final products meets excellent quality standards, market trends and brand identity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

RESEARCH AND PLANNING

• Responsible for producing collection sales analysis to create seasonal range plans.
• Create seasonal moodboards, and colour palettes, communicating a clear understanding of current and future trends.
• Managing the design of collections from concept to complete sampled range.

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

• Manage the design of BI AND APAC collections in line with business key seasonal objectives and range size targets whilst maintaining the rich brand DNA.
• Maintain and manage direct reports to work to business end to end process deadlines and ensure individual deadlines are met.
• Create accurate, detailed technical specification suitable for global manufacture. Train and manage direct reports to achieve department standards.
• Sign off fit for collections where responsible and clearly communicate product changes to the tech team within fit meetings.
• Responsible for ensuring samples are reviewed in adequate time to meet key deadlines and achieve target margin.
• Preparing for weekly range review meetings with Head of Design (Outerwear) and Design Director (clothing) to update and review progress of range direction, colour palettes, design concepts and proto samples.
• Represent the BI and APAC team in feedback session and research trips to collate information to present back to the womenswear director and Head of Design (Outerwear).
• Take part in product development and research trips.
• Responsible for the design process for any allocated collaborations.
• Managing the training and development of direct reports.
• Managing all SMU styles and collections for Barbour/BI. Representing design team in customer meetings & customer presentations.

COMMUNICATION

• Create and present clear, commercial and visually exciting product presentations to senior management and sales teams.
• Prepare for weekly meetings to discuss timelines, design team and any up-coming events.
• Manage direct reports to provide accurate information on category area to the Marketing and E Commerce teams.
• Presenting Range direction and product collections both internally and externally (customer)
• Manage design team to arrange samples and outfit selections for seasonal photoshoots.
• Manage the BI and APAC design team to prepare for launch event, ensuring product is directed and presentable.
• Ensure Product Management are kept up to date with any changes which could impact cost and PLM product information.

Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in fashion design or related field.
• Experience in similar environment, retail or wholesale fashion is preferred.
• Previous leadership or management experience in design related role
• In- depth knowledge of clothing garment construction, fabrics, and manufacturing processes.

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
• Free onsite parking
• Subsidised canteen

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.