Graphics, Materials & Colour Lead (Berghaus) in England

We’re Pentland Brands; a dynamic, global family business, and proud owners and licensees of many iconic active and footwear brands. With a community of over 1,300 team members worldwide, we embrace diversity and inclusion, and champion growth and development. Our success is built on teamwork, courage, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

WHAT’S THE MISSION FOR THIS ROLE?

As the Graphics, Materials & Colour Lead, you will play a pivotal role in defining and delivering the material strategy and colour direction for our product ranges. You will work cross-functionally with design, product development, merchandising, and sustainability teams to bring product innovation to life in a way that is both consumer-led and purpose-driven. You’ll lead material selection, sourcing, and trend development – balancing technical performance with aesthetic appeal, sustainability requirements, and cost considerations. You will champion colour and material storytelling, ensuring our products are not only high-performing but visually distinguishing.

WHAT DOES THIS ROLE DO?

• Lead on defining and implementing material strategies across our product categories (e.g. Trail, Hike, Alpinism, MTB, road, protective).
• Research, evaluate, and recommend new performance fabrics, trims, and sustainable materials.
• Partner with R&D and sourcing teams to trial, test, and validate materials.
• Drive continuous material cost optimization while protecting quality and performance.

Colour Direction & Trend Forecasting

• Develop colour palettes, seasonal colour stories, and trend boards that align with brand DNA and consumer insights.
• Work closely with design leads to translate trend direction into product colourways.
• Oversee the colour approval process, ensuring consistency in production and specification.

Graphic, Print, Brand and Packaging Design

• Passion for graphic design, visual culture, and creating work that shapes brand identity and consumer connection.
• Ability to not only produce placement graphics, but also repeat designs, branding graphics, trims executions and packaging.
• Comprehensive understanding of technical execution of graphics and branding for outdoor performance product.
• Innovative and directional approach to driving graphic solutions that enhance the performance of all product.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Design, Technical Development, Merchandising, and Marketing to embed material and colour strategy into the product lifecycle.
• Liaise with suppliers to ensure technical and sustainability requirements are met (e.g., recycled content, bluesign, OekoTex).
• Support production teams with material and colour risk mitigation (e.g. colour fastness, performance).

Sustainability & Quality Assurance

• Ensure materials and colour choices support our sustainability goals (e.g. use of recycled yarns, reducing waste).
• Drive initiatives to reduce environmental impact through innovation in materials and processes.
• Monitor quality performance (durability, washing performance, wear) and work with quality control to resolve issues.

Business Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor junior members of the materials and colour team, fostering a culture of curiosity, craft, and continuous improvement.
• Represent the materials and colour function in cross-brand and group-level forums, contributing to Pentland’s long-term innovation roadmap.

WHAT DO I BRING TO THE ROLE?

You just might be our next superstar if you have the following skills and experience:

• You have a degree in relevant material, graphic and colour design fields: Fashion, Sport, Outdoor, Cycling, Industrial and Graphic Design, or equivalent experience, and have a minimum of 5-7 years experience in a professional environment.
• Possess strong technical knowledge of textiles (weaves, finishes, performance metrics) and colour theory.
• Have a proven track record of working with material suppliers and navigating complex supply chains.
• Are passionate about sustainability and have experience implementing environmentally responsible material strategies.
• Proficiency in all Adobe CC; knowledge of Clo3D or similar; PLM experience is a plus.
• Are a great storyteller with a keen eye for colour, trends, and design.
• Have excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, working across design, sourcing, and production teams.
• Can think commercially, balancing innovation with cost and lead‑times.
• Are proactive, self‑driven, and act like an owner – spotting opportunities and driving change.
• Live our Pentland principles: consumer‑first mindset, strong ownership, bold action, speaking your mind, and doing the right thing.

We want you to live our company principles, bringing a strong consumer focus, while always looking for ways to improve and grow in your role. Take ownership of your work and be proactive in solving problems whilst communicating openly and treating everyone with respect and kindness. And, of course, let your creativity shine by bringing your unique style and individuality to the Pentland Brands Team.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

• Competitive + discretionary bonus
• 25 Days Holiday: Increases with length of service and the option to purchase additional days to suit your needs.
• Discounts: Brand discounts (including friends and family and JD Sports), Sample Sales, and other retail discounts and perks.
• Family‑Friendly Benefits: Generous enhanced parental leave policies
• Health Perks: Choose from a variety of health‑related perks including medical cash plan, critical illness cover, life assurance, gym and fitness discounts, dental insurance, eye care, and health screening to maintain your wellbeing.
• Travel Perks: Take advantage of our season ticket loan, cycle to work schemes, electric car schemes, and discounts on home charging units to support eco‑friendly commuting.
• Flexible Working: We offer hybrid working and flexible working hours, allowing you to start your day earlier or later to help with commute costs or personal commitments.
• Chance to join our Charity, D&I and Sustainability employee networks.

As an equal opportunity employer, we’re committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive culture across our business, stores, and office environment. We warmly welcome your application. This vacancy is a newly created role as part of organisational changes. Final appointment will depend upon the outcome of consultation processes and affected employees will have priority for consideration.

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Design

Industries: Apparel & Fashion