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- Tasks: Lead a creative team in designing beautiful textile collections and managing studio operations.
- Company: Join a passionate team at Makower UK, a leader in printed cotton fabrics.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a chance to shape a permanent role.
- Why this job: Make your mark in the textile industry and grow with an innovative company.
- Qualifications: Textile design qualification or strong experience, plus CAD and Adobe skills.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career growth in a supportive, collaborative environment.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Makower UK (Concord Fabrics UK Ltd) has been designing and producing beautiful, printed cotton fabrics for the patchwork, quilting and craft industry since 1999. We’re a small, passionate, entrepreneurial team based in Maidenhead, Berkshire, working closely with our US sister company Andover Fabrics NYC, to create high-quality printed textile collections for independent retailers and wholesalers across the UK, Europe and the growing US market.
We’re in an exciting phase of investment and modernisation, backed by ambitious leadership from the US and rising demand. We’re looking for a technically strong and creative Studio Manager to cover maternity leave and help drive the next stage of growth in our business. We need someone as soon as possible to maximise the handover and training period. Initially the role would require you to be office based but once the key tasks are handed over the role is flexible and hybrid. This is far more than short-term cover, it’s a genuine opportunity to strengthen and shape our creative department long term. If the fit is right, we’re open to making this a new and permanent position tailored to your strengths and ideas.
Key Responsibilities
- Developing new collection themes and designing/adapting seamless repeat patterns
- Day-to-day management and smooth running of the design studio
- Coordinating artwork, strike-offs, sampling and approvals with textile mills and print suppliers
- Managing design schedules, deadlines, and freelance textile designers
- Developing sourced artworks into production-ready designs
- Preparing product presentations and marketing materials
- Maintaining high quality standards, studio systems, archives and digital asset management
Essential Skills & Experience
- Textile design qualification (BA or equivalent) or strong equivalent experience
- Highly proficient in CAD software for textiles + full Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop essential)
- Proven experience creating and adapting seamless repeat patterns for printed fabrics
- Solid working knowledge of textile print production techniques and mill coordination
- Creative flair with the ability to develop fresh collection concepts
- Excellent attention to detail and strong organisational skills
- Competent with Excel and Microsoft Office
Desirable: An interest in patchwork, quilting or the craft sector.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
- Hybrid working after initial office-based training period
- Real opportunity to shape and grow into a permanent role in the business
- Collaborative, supportive team that truly values design and the independent craft businesses we serve
If you have strong textile design and studio management experience and would love to join a growing, creative fabric company, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your CV, a link to your portfolio (must include examples of seamless repeat patterns), and a short cover note telling us why you’re interested to: We review applications on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.
Studio Manager (Textile Design) – Maternity Cover (with potential to become permanent) in Reading employer: Concord Fabrics UK Ltd. (Makower UK).
Contact Detail:
Concord Fabrics UK Ltd. (Makower UK). Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Studio Manager (Textile Design) – Maternity Cover (with potential to become permanent) in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the textile design industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or be able to put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best seamless repeat patterns and any relevant projects. Make sure it’s easy to access and share, so potential employers can see your creative flair at a glance.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Familiarise yourself with their collections and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love hearing from passionate candidates who are excited about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Studio Manager (Textile Design) – Maternity Cover (with potential to become permanent) in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Creativity: When you're putting together your portfolio, make sure to highlight your best seamless repeat patterns. We want to see your unique style and how you can bring fresh ideas to our team!
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send a generic CV! Make it relevant to the Studio Manager role by emphasising your textile design qualifications and any experience with CAD software. We love seeing how your skills match what we’re looking for.
Craft a Personal Cover Note: In your cover note, let us know why you’re excited about this opportunity. Share your passion for textile design and how you envision contributing to our creative department. We appreciate a personal touch!
Apply Early!: We review applications on a rolling basis, so don’t wait too long to apply through our website. The sooner you get your application in, the better your chances of joining our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Concord Fabrics UK Ltd. (Makower UK).
✨Know Your Textiles
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of textile design and production techniques. Be ready to discuss your experience with seamless repeat patterns and how you've managed projects in the past. This will show that you're not just a creative mind, but also technically savvy.
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Your portfolio is your best friend! Bring along examples of your work, especially those that highlight your ability to create and adapt seamless repeat patterns. Make sure to explain the thought process behind each piece and how it aligns with the company's vision.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Do a bit of homework on Makower UK and their ethos. They value creativity and collaboration, so think about how your personal values align with theirs. Be prepared to share how you can contribute to their exciting phase of investment and modernisation.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. Inquire about their future collection themes or how they envision the role evolving into a permanent position. This shows your genuine interest in the company and the role, and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.