HEAD OF DESIGN - TEXTILES - BEDROOM & BATHROOM / PREMIUM BRAND in High Wycombe

Our client is a very successful and well-established premium textiles brand selling into UK and European retailers. They are now looking to recruit a Home Textiles Head of Design (bedding / bathroom) to join their growing business. Candidates must have a strong background of working in premium brand textiles in bedding / bathroom and be hands-on in their current role.

Managing a team of 4.

The role includes:

• Working with retailers such as John Lewis, Harrods, Bloomingdales and many more.
• Working closely with the Head of Product/directors to ensure efficient bulk production of products.
• Building a relevant, growing and profitable home textile business portfolio into all targeted trade channels, in existing & new categories/geographies.
• Sourcing fabrics and techniques through supplier visits overseas and global trade fairs.
• Dressing trade shows and showrooms in the UK and abroad.
• Assisting the Marketing team by providing information on the inspiration behind designs and collections to create product copy.
• Assisting the Product Development team by providing CADs of packaging requirements such as insert cards and care labels.
• Creating exciting bedding and bathroom designs and colourways in CAD form.
• Presenting confidently to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Working closely with key customers on exclusive designs to their brief and their timetable.
• Working on own brand portfolio.
• Following design trends and adapting them to our product areas, in order to generate compelling trend resources.
• Briefing suppliers in detail to allow them to produce samples to their exact specification.
• Managing the development of samples from key suppliers.
• Adhering to the business' critical path for each project.
• Approval of factory submissions from strike offs/lab dips through to full samples.
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of new design and production techniques and textile technology.

Skills:

• Strong CAD skills specifically in AVA, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.
• Excellent drawing skills and a flair for using colour creatively.
• Excellent presentation skills: creating strong visual presentation material and the ability to speak confidently about design concepts.
• Ability to manage a busy workload; strong organisational skills are a must as is the ability to juggle competing demands within the role.
• The ability to work to deadlines is essential.
• Strong interpersonal skills for dealing with everyone from overseas suppliers through to key customers.
• Diligent and organised approach to maintaining records of approvals and developments.
• Passion for textiles and a desire to keep learning about this exciting product area.
• Commercial acumen with the ability to understand pricing architecture for target business.
• Previous experience in a commercial environment, preferably retail or brands.
• Willingness to undertake global travel.
• Experience of planning and dressing trade fairs is an advantage.
• Experience of using Microsoft Office programs.
• Educated to degree level.
• Minimum 6 years' experience in home textiles with experience in premium home textiles bedlinen bathroom.
• Be hands-on within the business and role.