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- Tasks: Lead a creative design team from concept to production in the body armour industry.
- Company: Join Safariland, a leader in protective solutions for law enforcement and military.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team focused on performance, quality, and cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Strong design background, leadership experience, and knowledge of patternmaking required.
- Other info: Position available in Warrington UK or Kaunas Lithuania.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Safariland EU Armor team. As a key member of our newly formed EU Armor Leadership group, this role provides design direction and team management from concept through manufacturability across our international product range. The role provides an opportunity to work collaboratively with our commercial team, specialist distributors and our end users. The successful individual will lead our EU design team in continuing to be creative and solution orientated whilst fostering their passion for performance, fit, quality and technology.
LOCATION: Warrington UK or Kaunas Lithuania
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE (but not limited to):
- Build and lead a best in class design team that is streamlined and efficiently supporting international sales
- Manage the team (UK and Lithuania), from first pattern through production, grading, nesting and marker making to product completion
- Work directly with engineering and management to create a baseline of compelling products for the international Law Enforcement, military and defense industries
- Partner with Sales to understand end user needs and provide customized solutions
- Understand and apply innovation in design, technology and materials
- Communicate concepts and ideas through visual, verbal and written means
- Source and develop new technical high-performance materials for shell fabrics, linings, load bearing systems, including soft goods/hard goods load bearing systems
- Attend related trade shows, interact continuously with customers and suppliers
- Collaborate closely with US Armor Category Management
- Expand sourcing options as necessary to meet specific materials needs and goals
REQUIREMENTS:
- Fluent in English
- Strong design background in relevant industry (Body Armor, tactical goods, sportswear industry)
- Engaging leader with previous experience of leading a team of designers
- Knowledge of patternmaking (Gerber, Optitex and/or other PDS systems)
- Illustrator with first class sketch design and patternmaking skills
- Detail orientated, able to multitask and delegate
- Strong team player, able to clearly communicate across internal cross-functional teams, internal and external sales, distributors and suppliers
Head of Product Design employer: Safariland
Contact Detail:
Safariland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Product Design
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the body armour and tactical goods industry. Attend relevant trade shows and events to meet potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends, which can give you an edge in understanding the market needs.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by engaging in design projects that require team collaboration. Highlight any experience where you've successfully led a team through the design process, as this will resonate well with our focus on building a best-in-class design team.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the latest technologies and materials used in body armour and tactical gear. Being knowledgeable about innovative materials and their applications can set you apart as a candidate who is ready to drive product development.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would approach collaboration with sales teams and end users. Think of examples where you've successfully gathered user feedback to inform design decisions, as this aligns with our goal of providing customised solutions.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Product Design
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in product design, particularly in the body armour or tactical goods industries. Emphasise your leadership skills and any previous team management roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for design and innovation. Mention specific examples of how you've led design teams to success and how you can contribute to the Safariland EU Armor team.
Showcase Your Design Skills: If possible, include a portfolio or links to your previous work that demonstrate your design capabilities, especially in creating high-performance materials and products. Visuals can make a strong impact.
Highlight Collaboration Experience: Since the role involves working closely with sales and engineering teams, be sure to mention any past experiences where you successfully collaborated across departments to achieve a common goal.
How to prepare for a job interview at Safariland
✨Showcase Your Design Portfolio
Make sure to bring a well-organised portfolio that highlights your best design work. Include projects that demonstrate your experience in body armour, tactical goods, or sportswear, as these are directly relevant to the role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a design team in the past. Discuss your approach to team management, fostering creativity, and ensuring high-quality outputs, as this role requires strong leadership capabilities.
✨Understand the Market Needs
Research the current trends in the law enforcement and military sectors. Be ready to discuss how you can tailor designs to meet the specific needs of end users, showcasing your ability to partner with sales teams effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your design concepts and ideas clearly, both visually and verbally. This role involves collaboration with various teams, so demonstrating your communication skills will be crucial during the interview.
