At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a creative design team to craft stylish and functional activewear collections.
- Company: Join THG, a global leader in beauty and sports nutrition.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, gym access, and up to 50% staff discount.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the activewear industry with innovative designs.
- Qualifications: 5 years of design experience, including leadership in activewear.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About THG
We are THG, a global ecommerce group on a mission to be the global online leader in beauty and sports nutrition. Our portfolio of leading retailers and brands such as LOOKFANTASTIC, Myprotein, ESPA, Perricone MD, and Cult Beauty form our two core businesses: THG Beauty and THG Nutrition.
Life at THG Nutrition
THG Nutrition is home to some of the world’s most trusted and best-loved wellbeing and nutrition brands, including Myprotein, the world’s largest online sports nutrition brand, alongside Myvegan, Myvitamins and MP Activewear. Our brands and people exist to break boundaries — to power and empower those who want more. We move fast, challenge convention, and back ourselves to win. These values shape how we work every day.
The Role
As Design Manager, you will lead and inspire the design team across Men’s, Women’s, and Accessories categories. Reporting to the Head of Product, you will drive the creation of stylish, functional, and high-performance apparel that resonates with our customers and elevates MP’s position in the activewear market. You will collaborate closely with product development, marketing, and buying teams to manage the full design lifecycle—from concept through to production—ensuring collections are innovative, on-trend, commercially viable, and aligned with our brand ethos.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the design team, fostering creativity, collaboration, and high performance across Men’s, Women’s, and Accessories lines.
- Develop and deliver innovative, trend-led collections that embody MP Activewear’s brand values and appeal to our active customer base.
- Drive the creative vision of the ranges with brand, ensuring the creative brief is executed.
- Conduct ongoing research into fashion trends, fabrics, technologies, and sustainability to ensure products remain current, functional, and market-leading.
- Collaborate with product development to ensure designs meet technical, fit, functionality, and production requirements.
- Maintain a clear understanding of the product development process, timelines, and critical path milestones.
- Present design concepts and collections confidently to stakeholders, integrating feedback to refine and enhance output.
- Work with buying teams to select materials that balance sustainability, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
- Monitor competitor activity, influencer trends, and market shifts to maintain MP’s competitive edge.
- Participate in fittings and collaborate closely with production teams to ensure the highest quality execution of designs.
What We’re Looking For
- Degree in Fashion Design or a related field.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in clothing design, with at least 2 years in a management or leadership role, preferably in activewear, sportswear, or fashion.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in performance and activewear design.
- In-depth knowledge of garment construction, fabrics, and technical design principles.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) and other relevant design software.
- Ability to balance creative innovation with commercial insight, designing products that are both stylish and functional.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Passion for activewear and a deep understanding of the modern consumer’s needs.
- Adaptable, proactive, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
What’s in it for me?
- Career Development: Access bespoke development programmes that have been designed and developed by our in-house L&D team.
- Continued development through our upskilling programme that is delivered in partnership with an industry-leading training provider.
- Enhanced Leave: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays. Don’t want to work on your birthday? We don’t either! Enjoy your day off on us! Enhanced maternity and paternity pay, depending on length of service. Up to 10 days compassionate leave. Buy back up to 3 days each year. Unlock 2 days volunteer leave after 12 months.
- Wellbeing Support: Access face-to-face and virtual appointments with our in-house GP. Access our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which is provided by Bupa. State-of-the-art on-site gym. Access to our on-site physio.
- Other Perks: Save up to 12% on the cost of personal tech through our salary sacrifice scheme. Subsidised bus pass from Manchester City Centre to our ICON office. Up to 50% staff discount on THG brands. On-site staff shop. Know someone who would be perfect for THG? Refer them and get up to £1000 when they pass their probation. Anniversary gifts when you hit 5 and 10 years of service.
THG is proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you are invited to interview, please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to the recruitment process that will enable you to perform to the best of your ability. THG is committed to creating a diverse & inclusive environment and hence welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Because of the high volumes of applications our opportunities attract, it sometimes takes us time to review and consider them all. We endeavour to respond to every application we receive within 14 days. If you haven't heard from us within that time frame or should you have any specific questions about this or other applications for positions at THG please contact one of our Talent team to discuss further.
Design Manager - MP Activewear in Manchester employer: THG
At THG, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. Located in Manchester, our fully office-based environment provides access to bespoke career development programmes, enhanced leave options, and comprehensive wellbeing support, ensuring our employees thrive both personally and professionally. Join us at THG Nutrition, where your passion for activewear can flourish as you lead innovative design projects that empower our customers and elevate our brand.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager - MP Activewear in Manchester
✨Get Down to the Fashion Events
Dive headfirst into local fashion shows, trade fairs, and networking events. These are golden opportunities to meet industry pros and showcase your passion for the industry in person. Plus, it gives you the chance to chat about potential roles at places like THG!
✨Join Fashion-Focused Communities
Become a part of online fashion communities on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest. Participate in discussions and share your insights on trends or your personal style journey. It’s a great way to get noticed by brands looking to fill positions, including THG.
✨Craft a Rock-Solid Portfolio
Since you're aiming for a full-time gig, your portfolio should reflect not just your best work but also your personality. Whether it’s lookbooks, design sketches, or styling projects, make sure it screams 'you' and includes a bit about why you’d be a perfect fit for THG.
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re fresh out of university, don’t underestimate your career services. They often have partnerships with fashion companies for internships and entry-level roles. Use this to your advantage and connect with them to find any openings at THG!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager - MP Activewear in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Style:In the fashion-apparel industry, your personal style and understanding of current trends are crucial. Make sure your CV and cover letter reflect your unique fashion sense – use visuals if you can and highlight any fashion-related experiences or projects that show off your flair!
Highlight Relevant Experience:When you're applying for a full-time role, be sure to focus on any past roles or internships in fashion that’ve honed your skills. Whether that's working in retail, fashion design, or marketing, quantify your achievements and show how they relate to the role at THG.
Include a Strong Portfolio:An impressive portfolio is key in fashion! Make sure to include a link to your online portfolio in your CV, showcasing your best work, be it designs, campaigns, or styling projects. This is your chance to let your creativity shine and demonstrate your abilities to THG!
Craft a Standout Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to weave in your passion for fashion and the specific reasons you want to work at THG. Share your vision of how you'd contribute to their brand and why you're excited about their work. Tailoring this will make you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at THG
✨Showcase Your Style Portfolio
For a role in the fashion-apparel industry, having a well-curated portfolio is essential. Ensure you include your best work that reflects your style and creativity, whether it's sketches, lookbooks, or completed designs. Be ready to discuss your design process and the inspirations behind your pieces!
✨Know the Latest Trends and Brands
Being well-versed in current fashion trends and influential brands can give you a leg up in the interview. Get familiar with what’s trending in the market and know your competitors. This shows your passion for the industry and helps you connect your work experience to current fashion trajectories.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaboration Skills
In a full-time fashion role, collaboration is key, whether you’re working with designers, marketers, or suppliers. Be prepared to share experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team or navigated challenges with colleagues. This will highlight your ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Dress the Part
This might sound obvious, but in fashion, how you present yourself is part of your brand. Wear something that represents your personal style while still aligning with the company’s aesthetic. It’s a great way to show you understand the industry's essence and can embody the brand’s image!
