Menswear- Head of Outerwear

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 currently have a rare opportunity for a Head of Outerwear to join our Menswear team based at Barbour House, South Shields. You will be responsible for the management & direction of the Men’s Outerwear 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 directive of this role will be aligning the 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 men’s outerwear meets the company’s high standards for quality, durability and craftmanship. You will be a key and valued member of the Men’s Senior Team and will be pivotal in driving our 5yr strategy in product and sourcing plans.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• In partnership with the Senior Head of Menswear (and wider senior team) deliver outstanding market leading product ranges that capitalise on the global market opportunities and needs, ensuring we deliver the agreed 5yr plan.
• Drive Men’s Outerwear 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 Design Mangers (outerwear teams), ensuring alignment with our standards and business objectives. Foster a culture of working hard together and continuous improvement.
• With support from the Senior Head of Menswear, ensure team are engaged and focus on all aspects of product design & development and deliver season on season product excellence.
• Ensuring that the Design managers planning is a joined-up approach for a menswear POV in our approach to integrating our necessary timelines with Sales / Marketing/ Supply chain.
• Manage and mentor the team in design to deliver against the workload requirements.
• Become the heart of the design and development process for Outerwear. It’s a much loved and respected brand with real iconic designs. Respect the past whilst planning and evolving for the future.
• Build on established cross department relationships, with excellent communication, across the Sales, Marketing, Product, Supply Chain & Forecasting triangle.
• Supporting cross department communication: SALES. Engaging and building relationships with the international sales teams to understand their needs, customers and timings is central to the role.
• Supporting cross department communication: MARKETING: The communication of story concepts, drops and collection structure is an essential part of the WHT process with the marketing teams.
• Supporting cross department communication: SUPPLY CHAIN: Encourage design teams to have strong links and a joined-up approach with technical, suppliers and supply chain teams.
• Suppliers – Understanding Factories, suppliers and the production process and requirements. Integral to building the menswear outerwear business has undoubtably been the close relationship that has been built with key suppliers across the categories.
• Understand the main partners/ the process of development/ the costing process between wax/ quilt/ WPB and Casuals. Liaise with Technical teams and supply chain to support in evaluate and strategically plan development.

Skills and Experience:

• Preferred – Degree in Fashion Design or related equivalent.
• Experience in a similar equivalent level role
• Outstanding understanding of Menswear apparel and what makes a great product (fabrics, detail, fit and competitors etc).
• Extensive experience of Design & Development especially in Men’s Outerwear. Covering all aspects: costs/margin/RRP’s, seasonal drops and collections.
• Previous use of PLM system/s or similar an advantage.
• Long established experience of working with overseas suppliers.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of brand and retailers in the UK.
• Experience working with global markets – Europe / USA / ASIA very desirable.
• 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 most.
• Excellent verbal and written communication 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

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.

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