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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative footwear designs and collaborate with teams to shape collections.
- Company: Join a renowned brand known for quality and creativity in footwear.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus scheme, staff discounts, and generous holiday.
- Why this job: Make your mark in the fashion industry with cutting-edge designs and trends.
- Qualifications: Degree in Footwear Design or equivalent experience; strong creative and management skills.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are currently recruiting for a Design Manager to join our Footwear team on a temporary Maternity Cover basis, based at Barbour House, South Shields. Along with the Head of Footwear you will lead in shaping our footwear collections. You will be responsible for overseeing the design and development of Barbour footwear and delivering market-leading, innovative global designs which align to our brand DNA and seasonal creative direction and drive our footwear into the future. Commercially you will develop ranges with an end price in mind, have responsibility for achieving agreed margin and work directly with manufacturers to ensure the design, development and range requirements are met.
Responsibilities
- Lead on new designs, trends, innovations, and technical advancements from the industry in line with Brand DNA, strategic and seasonal creative direction.
- Working with the Designer deliver consumer focused designs aligned with brand DNA and range direction, and which achieve commercial targets.
- Assist in and oversee the creation of seasonal creative direction, trend overviews, colour, and mood boards.
- Ensure new designs align with target consumer needs and desire.
- Ensure comfort and wearability are always very high on the agenda so we produce a quality reliable product.
- Assist the Head in the accurate and timely communication between key cross-functional partners - Sales, Marketing, and supply chain.
- Assist in driving margin across footwear categories, and design and develop to a price.
- For your category ensure all necessary PLM info is correctly uploaded to a high standard and in a timely manner.
- Lead the specification and product development process for your category with the support of the Technical Manager.
- Product integrity - Aims to instil quality in the product from onset of development through final production.
Qualifications
- Footwear Design degree or equivalent experience.
- People management experience.
- Confident in presenting your designs formally and informally and solid experience in creating powerful and engaging content to illustrate and communicate ideas clearly.
- A practical knowledge and experience of production methods.
- Solid proven commercial experience in costing, margin and negotiation.
- A flair for design with great creativity and imagination.
- Ability to produce original ideas on upcoming trends.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, collaborative and negotiation skills.
- Able to work in a fluid, fast-paced, multi-channel environment.
- Resilient and able to manage challenge and resistance.
- Independent and objective thinker.
- Prioritising, decision making, organising workloads and delivery priorities.
- Able to work well in a busy environment and remain calm under pressure.
- Proactive and dynamic mindset.
- Problem solver, collaborative and inclusive.
- Numerate with solid negotiation skillset.
Benefits
- Discretionary Company bonus scheme
- Staff discount
- Staff shop
- Healthcare cash plan
- 25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays
- Free onsite parking
- Subsidised canteen
Design Manager - Footwear in City of Westminster employer: The Barbour
Contact Detail:
The Barbour Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager - Footwear in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the footwear industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Design Manager role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to bring along your best design work. Highlight projects that align with their brand DNA and demonstrate your flair for creativity and innovation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s latest collections and trends. Be ready to discuss how your vision aligns with their seasonal creative direction and how you can help drive their footwear into the future.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager - Footwear in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Flair: When you're crafting your application, make sure to highlight your unique design style and creativity. We want to see how your ideas align with our brand DNA and seasonal direction, so don’t hold back on showcasing your best work!
Be Commercially Savvy: Remember, we’re looking for someone who can balance creativity with commercial awareness. In your application, mention any experience you have with pricing strategies, margin management, and how you've successfully developed ranges that meet market demands.
Communicate Clearly: Your ability to communicate ideas is key! Whether it’s through your written application or in your portfolio, ensure that you present your concepts clearly and engagingly. We love seeing how you can illustrate your thoughts and designs effectively.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application specifically for the Design Manager role. Highlight relevant experiences and skills that match the job description. And remember, applying through our website is the best way to get noticed!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Barbour
✨Know Your Footwear Trends
Before the interview, dive deep into current footwear trends and innovations. Familiarise yourself with what’s hot in the industry and how it aligns with the brand's DNA. This will show your passion and understanding of the market.
✨Showcase Your Design Process
Be ready to discuss your design process in detail. Prepare examples of past projects where you led the design from concept to production. Highlight how you ensured comfort, wearability, and commercial viability in your designs.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, think of examples that demonstrate your collaborative skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've effectively communicated with sales, marketing, and supply chain partners in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect questions about challenges you've faced in design or production. Prepare specific examples that showcase your resilience and ability to think independently while solving problems. This will highlight your proactive mindset and adaptability.
