At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the design of trendy kidswear 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: Embrace a positive team culture and grow your design capabilities.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team shaping the future of kidswear fashion.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Trainee or Junior Designer with strong design software skills.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 £ per year.
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.
- 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.
About Matalan
From humble beginnings to disruptive innovations in the retail industry, Matalan is ever-evolving. 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 to 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.
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
Assistant Designer - Kidswear in Liverpool employer: Matalan
Matalan is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, empowering employees to bring their authentic selves to work. With a strong focus on personal and professional development, the company offers numerous career growth opportunities alongside competitive benefits such as a generous staff discount and wellbeing support. Located in a dynamic retail environment, Matalan encourages creativity and innovation, making it an ideal place for aspiring designers to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Designer - Kidswear in Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio in shape! Make sure it showcases your best work, especially projects that highlight your skills in kidswear design. We want to see your creativity and how you can translate trends into fun, commercial products.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry professionals on LinkedIn or attend design events. Building connections can open doors for opportunities and give us insights into the company culture at Matalan.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Matalan’s latest collections and understanding their customer base. We need to show that we’re not just passionate about design but also about how our ideas fit into their brand vision.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows that you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Matalan team.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Designer - Kidswear in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Creative Side:When you're putting together your application, don't hold back on showcasing your creativity! Use your design skills to make your CV and portfolio pop. Remember, this role is all about translating trends into exciting products, so let your personality shine through.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the Assistant Designer role specifically. Highlight your experience with kidswear and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can contribute to our seasonal ranges and bring fresh ideas to the table!
Research and Reflect:Do a bit of homework on Matalan and our approach to kidswear. Understanding our brand and market will help you align your insights and ideas with what we’re looking for. Share your thoughts on current trends and how they could influence our product offerings.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen and ready to jump into the process. Don’t wait too long – we can’t wait to see what you’ve got!
How to prepare for a job interview at Matalan
✨Know Your Trends
Before the interview, dive deep into current kidswear trends. Familiarise yourself with popular styles, colours, and materials that are making waves in the market. This will not only show your passion for the role but also demonstrate your ability to analyse market insights effectively.
✨Showcase Your Design Skills
Bring a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects related to kidswear. Be ready to discuss your design process, the software you used (like Adobe Creative Suite), and how you translated trends into your designs. This will give the interviewers a clear picture of your capabilities.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice presenting your ideas clearly and confidently. During the interview, you'll need to communicate your design concepts effectively. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you’ve collaborated with teams and how you’ve adapted to feedback.
✨Understand the Brand
Research Matalan’s brand values and product offerings. Understand their target audience and what makes their kidswear unique. This knowledge will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their team culture and goals.
