HEAD OF PRODUCT - WOMENS' BRAND - design/ buying in Manchester

Our client, a highly successful D2C fashion brand, is now looking to recruit an experienced Women's Head of Product to join their team and take the brand to the next level. The ideal candidate will be responsible for strategically leading and guiding both the Design, Development and Sourcing Team, to create innovative, trend-focused, and commercially viable designs for the 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 development 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 and process driven with technical skills that will ensure the brand stands out amongst a highly competitive market.

What You Will Do

• Lead, manage & develop talent within the Product Team/ designer/ production
• Execute the vision of the Creative Director and Brand owners.
• Provide clear strategic direction for the whole Team in line with company direction.
• Maintain the brand’s identity and values.
• Enhance team productivity through recognition, skills development and mentoring.
• Build a strong working relationship with marketing and merchandising, to ensure stock remains efficient and commercial, working on product strategy and frameworks.
• Determine the seasonal colour palette and graphic direction for each collection based on market and trend research.
• Provide a balance of trend lead, innovative and commercial ideas for product sign off in line with brand direction.
• Responsible for the Critical Path and calendar timelines alongside Buying and Design to ensure all key dates are achieved.
• Plot all key dates in the calendar and take the lead to present in each of these meetings where possible.
• Ensure all action points are clear and activated by the responsible team member at the end of each meeting.
• Supervise design workload for all product drops and seasons, providing direction to senior and junior designers.
• Ensure all product is fit for purpose.
• Work closely with Buying and Merchandising Team to formulate the SKU plan for the season and maximise sales in the right categories.
• Interact with suppliers both present and future to deliver to brands standards.
• Assess and appraise these factories at regular intervals.
• Happy to travel to factories when required to source the best product at the best margins, whilst maintaining the brand’s high quality standards.
• Awareness of the latest fabric washes and print techniques to keep ahead of the game.
• Visit Key style capitals and trade shows when necessary.

What You Will Need

• Innovative design thinking with the ability to generate and execute design ideas.
• Be prepared to take the product to the next level with an open mind to develop new categories.
• Highly organised and capable of working in a fast-paced environment.
• Technical knowledge of product, raw materials, manufacturing techniques, and processes.
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to manage designers in a positive and strategic way, while nurturing creativity at all levels.
• Always approachable.
• Collaborative, non-political approach.
• Attention to detail is key.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Awareness of how important fit / garment block is.
• Ensure the garment tech team are able to execute this vision correctly.
• Skilled in trend forecasting and market analysis.
• Ability to control a product department budget, including samples and travel.
• Able to work under pressure and to prioritise workload.
• Be reactive to market and trade data.
• Ability to deal with change.
• Build a strong, aligned functional team, recognising and rewarding great performance.
• 5 years plus of experience in managing and developing a team.
• Love Product!