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- Tasks: Lead creative direction and product development for kidswear and homeware collections.
- Company: Join Matalan, a dynamic retail innovator with an inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% staff discount, wellbeing support, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of design while making a real impact in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in design management and strong portfolio of innovative work.
- Other info: Be part of a team that champions equality and fosters creativity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
As a Design Manager you are the design subject matter expert for your division, leading the delivery and curation of the creative direction and product development ensuring brand-aligned and commercially successful collections alongside the Head of Buying & Merchandising.
Strategy & Creative Leadership
- Partner with Buying & Merchandising leadership teams to define and deliver a clear, long-term design strategy for your given product category that aligns to divisional and company objectives.
- Set the creative vision and strategic direction for your product category, translating market insight and customer needs into compelling design outcomes.
- Establish and own a seasonal range framework that reflects strategic priorities, supports KPIs, and drives design excellence.
- Lead category design with a strong point of view, introducing insight-led concepts that elevate product relevance and innovation.
- Build strong, senior cross-functional partnerships to align design, buying, merchandising, and trading priorities.
- Drive cohesive execution of collaborative ranges and initiatives across divisions, ensuring alignment with the overall design vision and buying strategy.
Range Planning & Development
- Partner with the Heads of Buying and Merchandising to deliver commercially robust ranges aligned to the seasonal framework and overarching design strategy.
- Own the seasonal creative direction across colour, print, and fabric, ensuring a consistent and compelling aesthetic across categories.
- Lead best-in-class range presentations that clearly articulate the design narrative, style credentials, and quality standards.
- Present and influence confidently at Executive and Investor level, incorporating feedback to strengthen strategic decision-making.
- Champion continuous improvement in quality, fit, and range composition through structured review and feedback loops.
Leadership & Accountability
- Act as the senior leadership voice for the Design function, influencing direction and decisions within the wider leadership team.
- Confidently drive constructive challenge and healthy debate at senior level, using insight and judgement to strengthen outcomes and decision quality.
- Set clear expectations and hold teams accountable for delivery, quality, and behaviours aligned to the product strategy, KPIs, and company values.
- Lead and sponsor cross-functional initiatives, anticipating challenges, driving decisive action, and ensuring clarity of ownership and outcomes.
- Develop and coach talent through purposeful feedback, capability building, and succession planning.
- Create a high-performance, psychologically safe environment where roles, objectives, and impact are clearly understood.
- Role-model disciplined, commercially minded ways of working, balancing creative ambition with executional rigour.
Proven experience as a Design Manager or Senior Designer, showcasing a strong portfolio of innovative work. Ability to manage projects across short, medium, and long-term timelines while adapting to changing priorities. Experience in a fast-paced omni-channel retail environment, understanding the dynamics of both online and offline markets. Strong commercial awareness of the product market, with an eye for identifying opportunities and trends. Skilled in using design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, CAD, AI) to bring ideas to life with precision. Capable of engaging in direct and constructive conversations that drive design success. Proficient in influencing and negotiating solutions that align with both design vision and business objectives. Exceptional organisational skills with a keen attention to detail, ensuring projects meet quality standards. Experienced in leading design teams and managing projects, fostering collaboration and creative excellence.
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.
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
Design Manager - Kidswear & Homeware in London employer: Matalan
Contact Detail:
Matalan Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager - Kidswear & Homeware in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts and attend design events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work. When you get the chance, present it confidently during interviews to showcase your design prowess.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the role and be ready to discuss your design strategies and successes in detail.
✨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!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager - Kidswear & Homeware in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Creative Vision: As a Design Manager, we want to see your unique creative perspective. Make sure your application reflects your design philosophy and how it aligns with our brand. Use visuals or a portfolio link to showcase your best work!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV! We love when candidates tailor their applications to the role. Highlight your experience in kidswear and homeware, and how you’ve successfully led design projects in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! When writing your application, be straightforward about your achievements and skills. Use bullet points for easy reading and make sure to address how you meet the key requirements of the job.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Matalan
✨Know Your Design Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's design strategy and recent collections. Be ready to discuss how your vision aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their creative direction.
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Prepare a strong portfolio that highlights your innovative work in kidswear and homeware. Make sure to articulate the thought process behind each piece and how it meets market needs and trends.
✨Engage in Insightful Conversations
Be prepared to engage in constructive discussions about design challenges and solutions. Show your ability to influence and negotiate by bringing fresh ideas that align with both the design vision and business objectives.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading design teams and managing projects. Share examples of how you've fostered collaboration and driven design excellence, ensuring everyone is aligned with the overall strategy.
