At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the design of seasonal homeware ranges and collaborate with creative teams.
- Company: Join Matalan, a dynamic retail innovator with an inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% staff discount, wellbeing support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that shapes trends and customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Trainee or Junior Designer with strong design software skills.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 £ per year.
About Matalan
From humble beginnings to disruptive innovations in the retail industry, find out about how Matalan is ever‑evolving here.
We know as a team, we are stronger together - we champion equality for all and make lasting connections that go beyond work.
We thrive off our inclusive culture, encouraging our colleagues to bring their true selves to work and contributing to collective creativity, open‑mindedness and growth.
We want give every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the application and interview process and then ultimately in their role.
If you require any adjustments during our recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know.
In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.
About the role
As an Assistant Designer you will support the delivery of seasonal ranges, taking day‑to‑day ownership of defined product areas within a category.
Working closely with your Designers, this role helps translate trend and customer insight into commercially relevant product.
- Product & Range Support
- Support the development of seasonal ranges, balancing new ideas with established core product.
- Work closely with Designers and Buying to help build balanced, commercially aligned assortments.
- Assist with product development through the supply base, supporting innovation, quality, cost, and delivery.
- Where required attend selection, sign‑off, and fit sessions, supporting preparation, documentation, and follow‑up actions.
- Build understanding of trade performance, identifying best and worst sellers and using insight to inform future ranges.
- Customer, Trend & Market Insight
- Support trend research and analysis, contributing to mood boards, styling rooms, key shapes, and colour palettes.
- Conduct regular market and competitor research, sharing insight on trends, customer behaviour, and product opportunity.
- Build understanding of the customer, ensuring design decisions reflect customer needs, preferences, and expectations.
- Work with Buying and Merchandising to ensure customer and market insight informs product decisions.
- Ways of Working & Development
- Work with an end‑to‑end product mindset, supporting delivery from initial concept through to store execution.
- Develop a strong understanding of the critical path, managing own workload to meet deadlines.
- Collaborate effectively with Design, Buying, Merchandising, Technical, and Marketing teams.
- Maintain clear communication with the supply base under guidance, supporting effective working relationships.
- Actively seek feedback, learning, and development to build technical, creative, and commercial capability.
- Support and collaborate with fellow Assistant Designers, contributing to a positive team culture and shared learning.
About You
- Proven experience as a Trainee or Junior Designer.
- Experience of working across short, medium, and long‑term timelines while adapting to changing priorities.
- Experience in a fast‑paced omni‑channel retail environment.
- Commercial awareness of the product market, with an eye for identifying opportunities and trends.
- Ability to analyse market trends and insights to inform design direction effectively.
- Analytical and problem‑solving capabilities to navigate challenges and enhance product offerings.
- Skilled in using design software (e. g., Adobe Creative Suite, CAD, AI) to bring ideas to life with precision.
- Ability to present ideas with clarity and impact, effectively communicating design concepts to stakeholders.
- Organisational skills with a keen attention to detail, ensuring projects meet quality standards.
Benefits
- In addition to competitive salaries, we also offer the below core benefits:
- 20% staff discount, which increases with length of service
- Thrive Recognition Scheme
- Wellbeing support provided by the Retail Trust
- Life Assurance
- Retail Rewards platform offering discounts for other retailers
- Pension Scheme
- Access to a wide range of career development
- Additional benefits may apply depending on your role and area of the business
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Designer - Homeware in Liverpool
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We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Designer - Homeware in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Style:When you're applying for a job in fashion-apparel, it's crucial to let your personal style shine through in your application. Incorporate design elements or a unique layout in your CV that reflects your understanding of current trends and your creative flair. This helps us see how you think about aesthetics from the get-go!
Highlight Relevant Education & Experience:If you’ve taken any fashion courses or have experience in retail, make sure that's front and centre on your CV! Whether it's a part-time job at a clothing store or a fashion-related project you worked on at university, we want to see how your background aligns with our fashion-forward ethos at Job Search Place Limited.
Passion Over Experience:Since this is an entry-level position, we understand you might not have loads of experience. So, in your cover letter, focus on your passion for fashion! Share why you're excited about working with us at Job Search Place Limited, and connect it to your motivation for wanting to enter this vibrant industry.
Include a Portfolio, Even If Small:If you have any sketches, designs, or mood boards, don’t hesitate to share them! Even a small portfolio links creativity to your application and can set you apart. If you don't have any portfolio pieces yet, consider including links to your favourite fashion blogs or Instagram accounts that inspire you — we love seeing what gets you excited about fashion!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Show Off Your Passion for Fashion
Let’s be real; the fashion world is super competitive. So, we need to showcase our passion! Bring a portfolio of our best styling looks, whether it’s a mood board, personal projects, or even student work. It’s our chance to show Job Search Place Limited that we live and breathe fashion!
✨Stay Trendy and Informed
Before the interview, we should catch up on current trends, famous designers, and industry news. It might just be the perfect icebreaker or the punchline to a question! Plus, it shows Job Search Place Limited that we’re not just here for a job; we’re genuinely keen on what’s happening in the world of fashion.
✨Demonstrate Your Creativity
Since we're stepping into an entry-level role, we should be prepared to discuss our creative process. Maybe sketch a design or outline how we’d style a specific piece if asked. Job Search Place Limited wants to see our imagination at work, so don’t be shy about expressing our unique ideas!
✨Know Your Fashion Terms
Let’s brush up on our fashion vocabulary! From ‘couture’ to ‘athleisure’, knowing the lingo can really help us in the interview. Job Search Place Limited might throw in some technical questions, so being fluent in fashion speak will show we’re ready to dive into the industry headfirst.
