Footwear Designer

About us

Dune London is the leading affordable luxury footwear and accessories brand in the UK, with broad distribution across both the UK and internationally. It has 50 stores in the UK and over 100 in 25 countries around the world. The company is entering a period of sustained growth both through additional stores, expansion of sales on its online channels and through third party partners both in the UK and globally. Celebrating its 30th anniversary the group has over the years built an enviable position as the specialist in quality fashion footwear and accessories which has given it a unique position at the high end of the high street.

About the role

Our fabulous design team are looking for a Designer to oversee and drive footwear design including ownership of Dressy, Sandals (Seasonal) and out Outlet range. The Designer will support the buying teams by driving newness and creativity whilst ensuring product is on brand and aligned with seasonal direction & company strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attend range build and sign off meetings for each department
• Ability to design and present chosen categories and work closely with Buyer to develop within the brand DNA
• Collaborate with and assist senior members of the design team when required
• Understanding of sales data with buyer to interpret and improve best sellers & newness, commercial eye.

Design Development

• Deliver superior and elevated product from concept to completion that represents key trends & commercial opportunities
• Experience & understanding of materials, footwear constructions, fit & quality
• Confidence working with key suppliers and understanding their strengths
• Knowledge of country-by-country sourcing.
• Product research & regular comp shops and a thorough understanding of the Dune London brand DNA,
• Product Development discussions that address key trends and opportunities
• Briefing clear technical specification packs, following up with suppliers and chasing development
• Understand sales history, sales and margin targets and range plans for your own area of accountability and division to ensure designs are aligned to deliver on commercial opportunities
• Through strong relationships and collaboration with Buying, suppliers and realise opportunities for newness, trends and sourcing

EXPERIENCE / SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Minimum of 4 years + retail design experience
• Advanced Adobe Illustrator, CAD and Photoshop skills are essential
• Strong organisation skills including Critical Path Management, in line with Buying team requirements
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Commercial acumen
• Very strong interpersonal effectiveness and ability to work collaboratively across several different business functions and varied supply base
• Good networks in the market and industry
• Self-starter, Action-oriented, Adaptable, Tenacious & resilient.
• Passion for the Dune London brand and customer
• Ability to design elevated product range with authority and confidence
• Top class footwear technical expertise and understanding

About the perks

• Blended working – spreading your time across our office and remote working
• Brand new sustainable office in bustling West London (near Westfield)
• Friendly and open culture with flat structures allowing plenty of opportunity for development.
• Company growth and opportunity; Dune is opening new stores and channels and evolving all the time
• Open-minded company, welcoming thoughts and ideas to be shared
• Working with charitable organisations to help raise funds and give something back. Our current charity partner is Mental Health UK.
• 60% employee discount on Dune products – what’s not to love!
• 25 days holiday (plus the bank holidays)
• Cycle2work
• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance for all team members
• We look after our people
• 3.00 p.m. finish every pay day Friday!
• Team socials and drinks – we like to have fun!
• Access to our employee assistance programme, retailTRUST, who provide loads of resources to support with wellbeing and personal development offer free counselling legal advice and financial guidance.
• Our own Wellbeing Allies – there to talk when you need them.

What happens next?

We will take a good look at your application and if we don’t feel we are right for you, we’ll make sure we let you know but sadly we are not able to give tailored feedback.

If we are excited to find out more about you, we will give you a call and arrange to talk.

A few things that might help:

• Research the brand, the role, your interviewer on LinkedIn; browse our website; and visit a store if you can
• Make sure you have plenty of examples to show off all your amazing skills and experience relevant to this role