HEAD OF PRODUCT (PREMIUM LADIES AND MENSWEAR BRAND

Our client, a highly successful online ladies and menswear premium fashion brand based in Manchester, is now looking to recruit a Head of Product.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for strategically leading and guiding both the Design and Buying team to create innovative, trend-focused, and commercially viable designs for the brand customer. By understanding their customers and the brand handwriting, you are able to define and execute the global product strategy. This position oversees all product departments and serves as a key interface across creative platforms within the business. They are looking for someone who understands their customer, is trend-led, process-driven, with technical skills that will ensure this brand stands out amongst a highly competitive market.

THE ROLE

• Develop and grow talent within the Department and Support team by providing consistent direction and support to achieve stretch targets and take leadership positions.
• Enhance team productivity through recognition, skills development and coaching.
• Work extremely closely with marketing and merchandising to ensure stock remains tight and commercial, working on product strategy and frameworks.
• Lead Design and Buying teams of varying levels by providing clear strategic direction.
• Work closely with both the design team and the buying teams on colour palettes, prints, and trends for the coming seasons.
• Define the collections and produce them to reflect the brand's concept while ensuring a good balance of innovation and commerciality.
• Responsible for the critical path and calendar timelines alongside Buying and Design to ensure quality and timeliness of all Critical path milestones.
• Facilitate the seasonal development calendar.
• Supervise designs for all phases and seasons, providing direction to senior and junior designer/buyers.
• Maintain the brand's identity and keep up to date with current trends.
• Possess technical knowledge of product, raw materials, manufacturing techniques, and processes.
• Exhibit exceptional leadership skills with the ability to manage Designers/Buyers in a positive and strategic way, while nurturing creativity at all levels.
• Improve department efficiency by proactively taking measures to reduce time, cost, identify & resolve issues.
• Determine buying requirements and formulate buying plan and budget for the assigned department/category with head of Merchandising.
• Ensure that the entire buying strategy is as per the buying budget with appropriate phasing and coherent with the size of the buying.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

• Innovative design thinking with the ability to generate and execute design ideas.
• Proficiency in incorporating emerging trends and technologies into fashion design.
• Strong skills in trend forecasting and market analysis with the ability to interpret consumer behaviour and preferences to inform design decisions.
• Ability to inspire and lead creative teams, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Experience in mentoring and developing design and buying talent.
• Significant proven experience in the role of Product Lead across design and/or buying (5 years plus of experience in managing and developing a team).
• Significant experience creating and controlling a product development department budget.
• Proven experience in a role requiring strong organisational and administrative skills, accuracy, attention to detail and prioritising of a diverse workload.
• Team player, whilst having the ability to delegate.
• Proven management and leadership skills.
• Able to work under pressure and to prioritise.
• Strong understanding and ability to interpret designs into product.
• Ability to deal with change.
• Proficiency in financial planning and resource management related to design projects.
• Build strong, aligned functional teams, recognising and rewarding great performance.

BENEFITS

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Discretionary Bonus
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave
• Flexi-time hours
• Working from home one day per week
• Free Quarterly Item
• Private Healthcare & Paid Sick Leave after passing probationary
• Staff Discount
• Birthday day off
• Free Parking