At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop menswear across all product categories for seasonal ranges.
- Company: Join Ben Sherman, a British Heritage brand with a rich history in music and subcultures.
- Benefits: Competitive salary and the chance to shape the future of a renowned brand.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team driving innovation in menswear fashion.
- Qualifications: 3+ years experience in a similar role with strong design and commercial skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
A rare opportunity has opened up to support our fast‑paced expansion. We are currently looking for a talented, passionate menswear designer to drive the brand forward through its next evolution. Ben Sherman started out in 1963 producing standout button‑down shirts from a factory in Brighton. Over 6 decades later the brand is still producing standout shirts but has also expanded to a full lifestyle collection rich in the brand's DNA. From the early days, the brand has been linked to music and British subcultures and that remains a core aspect of the brand's appeal today. If you are passionate about being part of a British Heritage brand’s journey, why not join us?
Purpose of the role: As a multiproduct designer you will design and develop across all apparel product categories for Ben Sherman’s seasonal ranges. You will work closely with the Design Director and designated buyers to research, create and develop the seasonal ranges in keeping with the DNA of the brand and target market. You will work with the buying and technical team to develop product that fits within the brands pricing architecture balancing commerciality with creativity and newness. At times you will need to collaborate closely with other departments to communicate the detail of your designs and product expertise. This is a creative yet commercial role, needing the ability to balance delivering progressive ideas from your research and the brand’s DNA to produce product suitable for our customers.
Key Accountabilities:
- Work as part of a team with the Brand director, designers, product developer & technical team to produce a range that reflects the Ben Sherman DNA with a modern, contemporary execution.
- Undertake independent trend research and highlight emerging trends and opportunities for the brand.
- Conduct regular comp shops of competitors and aspirational brands.
- Sharing conclusions with the team and identifying opportunities for target markets and retailers.
- Creating seasonal colour palettes from trend research & historic data to be suitable for the menswear market and customer level.
- Mapping out ideas against the range plan communicating these ideas at key meetings in a confident and enthusiastic manner.
- Maintaining a balance of commerciality and new seasonal ideas.
- Creating CAD’s for all options in the range.
- Being able to self edit and make decisions of the styles & details prior to key contact points with the brand director.
- Exploration of colour at early & mid points of the design process.
- Designing structures & patterns each season that are unique to the brand.
- Maintain and update all design overviews, CAD’s and make sheets throughout the design process.
- Create accurate and complete tech packs for costing, developments, protos & fabric developments with the product developer & technical team.
- Packs will require handing over packs in-person or digitally with the team and factories/suppliers.
- Working autonomously day to day and planning workload throughout the season to meet key deadlines.
- Planning key reviews and contact points.
- Following development of samples through with the buying & tech team to approve fabrics, colours & proto fits from SMS samples through to bulk production.
- Building strong relationships with the product developer, incorporating an understanding of suppliers capabilities, limitations, cost implications to influence final designs.
- Produce the seasonal InDesign CAD linebook to a high level of accuracy to support selling of ranges each season.
- Presenting SMS range to the sales teams and senior management each season to communicate key details, fabrications and product trends.
- In depth knowledge of best sellers & USA market requirements to make informed decisions about the balance of the category options.
- Full management of tech packs; following developments through to bulk production to support the ordering process.
Communications & Working Relationships: Design team, Buying & tech team, Sales Team
Personal Specification - Knowledge & Skills:
- Minimum of 3 years experience in a similar role.
- Strong understanding of product from fabrics to styling details & limitations of the product areas.
- Collaborative approach to working in a product team.
- Strong commercial awareness and ability to design to price points.
- Creative flair and imagination.
- Able to create original print/pattern artworks.
- Effective communication skills.
- Engaging and work well with a range of teams across the business.
- Occasional travel when required.
PC Skills: High level of knowledge of Illustrator, Photoshop & InDesign.
Performance Measures:
- Creation and production of a range of product that is fit for purpose for salesman samples and bulk production.
- Actively conducting research of trends, benchmarks and market knowledge.
- Creation of brand relevant trend and colour presentations.
- In depth knowledge of range performance, qualities and price information.
- Accurate and complete tech packs & artworks for handover deadlines.
- Forming strong working teams with buying and tech.
- Being aligned throughout the design and development process.
- Providing feedback and comments on developments in a timely manner.
- Communication of all aspects of the product ranges to key accounts.
Compensation: Competitive salary
Menswear Designer in Leeds employer: Ben Sherman Head Office
At Ben Sherman, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative employer that champions creativity and collaboration. Located in Leeds, our vibrant work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering employees the chance to contribute to a storied British Heritage brand while working alongside passionate teams. With competitive salaries and opportunities to engage in trend research and product development, we empower our menswear designers to shape the future of fashion in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Menswear Designer in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, attend events, and join online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, bring it along and be ready to discuss your design process and inspirations.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be prepared to talk about your experience and what makes you a great fit for the role. Keep it engaging and show your passion for menswear design – let your enthusiasm shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at Ben Sherman.
We think you need these skills to ace Menswear Designer in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for menswear design shine through! Talk about what excites you about the brand and how you can contribute to its evolution. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely enthusiastic about our heritage and future.
Tailor Your Portfolio:Make sure your portfolio reflects your best work and aligns with the Ben Sherman DNA. Include a variety of designs that showcase your creativity and understanding of menswear trends. Remember, we want to see how you can bring fresh ideas while respecting our brand's identity!
Be Clear and Concise:In your written application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate applications that are easy to read and get straight to the point, so make sure to highlight your relevant experience and skills without any fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands. Plus, you'll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ben Sherman Head Office
✨Know Your Brand Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Ben Sherman's history and ethos. Understand their journey from producing button-down shirts to a full lifestyle collection. This knowledge will help you connect your design ideas with the brand's DNA during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Trend Research Skills
Be prepared to discuss recent trends in menswear and how they can influence your designs. Bring examples of your trend research and be ready to highlight emerging opportunities that align with the brand’s target market.
✨Prepare Your Design Portfolio
Curate a portfolio that showcases your best work, especially projects that reflect your understanding of commerciality and creativity. Include CADs, tech packs, and any unique prints or patterns you've created, as these will demonstrate your technical skills and design flair.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since collaboration is key in this role, practice articulating your design concepts clearly and confidently. Be ready to discuss how you would communicate with the buying and technical teams, as well as how you would present your ideas to senior management.
