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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 collaborative work environment with opportunities for innovation and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values creativity, quality, and technology in product design.
- Qualifications: Strong design background, leadership experience, and knowledge of patternmaking required.
- Other info: Position available in Warrington UK or Kaunas Lithuania, with international collaboration opportunities.
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 industries. Attend relevant trade shows and events to meet potential colleagues and industry leaders, as these connections can provide valuable insights and opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by sharing examples of how you've successfully managed design teams in the past. Highlight your ability to foster creativity and collaboration, which is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in materials and technology used in body armour and tactical gear. Being knowledgeable about innovative solutions will demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead in the industry.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would approach understanding end-user needs. Think about specific strategies you could implement to gather feedback from law enforcement and military personnel, as this insight is vital for creating tailored products.
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 industries. Be ready to discuss how you can tailor designs to meet end-user needs and provide innovative solutions that align with market demands.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Practice articulating your design concepts and ideas clearly. Since the role involves collaboration with various teams, being able to communicate visually, verbally, and in writing is crucial for success.
