At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative direction for women's and kids' products, driving growth in wholesale.
- Company: Dynamic fashion company focused on innovative design and commercial success.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £70k, one WFH day a week, and vibrant London office culture.
- Why this job: Shape trends and create impactful collections that resonate with diverse retail partners.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in product-led design, strong wholesale experience, and team leadership skills.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for creativity and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 70000 £ per year.
As Head of Design, you will lead the creative and trend direction of their wholesale business across both branded and white-label collections for women's and kids' products. This is a product-led, commercially focused role where you will define what we create for our retail partners. You will set the trend vision, build ranges that work across different retailers and markets, and ensure we consistently deliver products that are both design-led and commercially strong. You will collaborate closely with our D2C teams to leverage customer insight, but the primary focus is on driving growth across wholesale.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead trend direction across all wholesale categories, including accessories, tech and apparel
- Set seasonal colour palettes, prints, graphics and key product stories
- Translate trends and consumer insight into a commercially viable product
- Identify new product opportunities and categories
- Oversee the development of all wholesale ranges from concept to final product
- Build collections tailored to different retailers, customers and price points
- Balance branded and white-label products across key accounts
- Present concepts and ranges to retail partners
- Work closely with Buying, Merchandising and Sales to deliver commercially successful ranges
- Align product with trading calendars and partner requirements
- Use D2C insight to inform product direction where relevant
About You
- 8+ years’ experience in a product-led creative, design or buying role
- Strong experience developing products for wholesale retailers
- Proven track record in building commercially successful, trend-led ranges
- Deep understanding of multi-category product, ideally accessories and apparel
- Strong commercial mindset and ability to work across multiple partners
- Experience leading teams and presenting to buyers
Nice to Have
- Experience across both branded and white-label
- International wholesale experience, particularly US
- Background in fast-paced, trend-led businesses
Head of Design in Slough employer: Make It Happen Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Make It Happen Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Design in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend design events, and engage with potential employers on social media. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work. When you’re in interviews, be ready to discuss how your designs have driven sales or met market trends. We want to see your creative flair and commercial savvy!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company’s current collections and think about how you can contribute to their vision. We suggest practising answers to common questions and even preparing a few of your own to show your interest.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Design in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Creative Flair: As a Head of Design, we want to see your unique style and vision. Make sure your application reflects your creative flair—whether it's through your portfolio or the way you present your experience. Let us know how you can lead trend direction and create commercially viable products!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We’re looking for someone who understands our wholesale business and can build collections that resonate with different retailers. Highlight your relevant experience in developing products for wholesale and how you've successfully balanced branded and white-label offerings.
Highlight Your Commercial Mindset: This role is all about driving growth, so make sure to showcase your strong commercial mindset. Share examples of how you've translated trends into successful product ranges and how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver results. We want to see your impact!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to be part of our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Make It Happen Recruitment
✨Know Your Trends
As a Head of Design, you need to be on top of the latest trends. Research current fashion trends, especially in women's and kids' products, and be ready to discuss how they can translate into commercially viable collections. Bring examples of trend boards or mood boards to showcase your vision.
✨Understand the Business
This role is product-led and commercially focused, so make sure you understand the wholesale business model. Familiarise yourself with how different retailers operate and what makes a product successful in that space. Be prepared to discuss how you can drive growth through your design decisions.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Collaboration is key in this role. Think about how you can work closely with Buying, Merchandising, and Sales teams. Prepare examples of past collaborations where your input led to successful product launches. Show them you can bridge the gap between creative vision and commercial success.
✨Present with Confidence
You'll need to present concepts and ranges to retail partners, so practice your presentation skills. Create a mock presentation of a collection you would propose, focusing on how it meets both design and commercial needs. Confidence in your ideas will help convince others of your vision.