HEAD OF DESIGN - TEXTILES - BEDROOM & BATHROOM / PREMIUM BRAND

HEAD OF DESIGN - PREMIUM TEXTILES BEDDING AND BATHROOM

MANCHESTER - HEAD OFFICES

£75 - £80k doe

Our client is a very successful and well established premium Textiles brand selling into UK and European retailers. They are now looking to recruit a HOME TEXTILES HEAD OF DESIGN

(bedding / Bathroom ) to join their growing business. Candidates must have a strong background of working in Premium brand Textiles in Bedding / Bathroom and be hands on in their current role.

Managing a team of 4

The role :

Working with retailers such as John Lewis, Harrods, Bloomingdales and many more

This is a hand on role and managing a team of 4

• Working closely with the Head of Product/ directors to ensure efficient bulk production of products

To build a relevant, growing and profitable home textile business portfolio into all targeted trade channels, in existing & new categories/geographies

• Sourcing fabrics and techniques through supplier visits overseas and global trade fairs

• Dressing trade shows and showrooms in the UK and abroad,

• Assisting the Marketing team by providing information on the inspiration behind designs and collections to create product copy

• Assisting the Product Development team by providing CADs of packaging requirements such as insert cards and care labels

• Creating exciting bedding and bathroom designs and colourways in CAD form

• Presenting confidently to customers and internal stakeholders

• Working closely with key customers on exclusive designs to their brief and their timetable

• Working on own brand portfolio from.

• Working on designs for both the UK and varied export markets

• Following design trends and adapting them to our product areas, in order to generate compelling trend resources

• Briefing suppliers in detail to allow them to produce samples to their exact specification.

• Managing the development of samples from key suppliers

• Adhering to the business’ critical path for each project

• Approval of factory submissions from strike offs/lab dips through to full samples

• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of new design and production techniques and textile technology

SKILLS

Strong CAD skills specifically in AVA, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.

Excellent drawing skills and a flair for using colour creatively

Excellent presentation skills: creating strong visual presentation material and the ability to speak confidently about design concepts.

Ability to manage a busy workload, strong organisational skills are a must as is the ability to juggle competing demands within the role

The ability to work to deadlines is essential

Strong interpersonal skills for dealing with everyone from overseas suppliers through to key customers

Diligent and organized approach to maintaining records of approvals and developments

Passion for textiles and a desire to keep learning about this exciting product area

Commercial acumen with ability to understand pricing architecture for target business.

Previous experience in a commercial environment, preferably Retail or Brands.

Willingness to undertake global travel.

Experience of planning and dressing trade fairs is an advantage

Experience of using Microsoft Office programs

Educated to degree level

Minimum 6 years’ experience in home textiles with experience in PREMIUM home textiles bedlinen bathroom

Be hands on within the business and role