Design Manager -Ladieswear

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and commercially minded ladies wear Ladies Design Manager to lead the UK Design function of a well-established fashion supplier. With an emphasis on Jersey product.

This is a senior leadership role with responsibility across multiple product categories, with a particular focus on driving the continued growth and success of the Ladieswear division. The successful candidate will combine strong creative vision, commercial awareness and exceptional leadership skills to inspire teams, influence customers and shape future product strategy. In addition, you will have some added responsibility of overseeing a team of freelance designers who work across Kidswear and Baby so experience of working within this area is highly advantageous.

Hybrid working 3/2 is offered with this role as well as excellent benefits.

• Partner with commercial and international teams to develop and deliver a customer-focused product vision across all categories.
• Drive trend forecasting, colour, fabric and product direction, ensuring innovation and newness remain at the heart of every range.
• Lead the development of a compelling Ladieswear offer, identifying opportunities to drive growth and strengthen customer partnerships.
• Oversee the design process from concept through to customer presentation, delivering inspiring and commercially successful collections.
• Present confidently at senior customer level, influencing decisions and positioning the business as a trusted product partner.
• Work closely with account management, sourcing and international design teams to deliver high-quality product solutions.
• Ensure designs align with manufacturing capability, cost targets and customer expectations across different market levels.
• Foster a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture, while coaching and developing both permanent and freelance design talent.

• Extensive experience in a senior design leadership role, with a strong background in Ladieswear Jersey.
• Good knowledge of Ladies Woven and or multiproduct highly desirable.
• Kids, Baby or menswear experience advantageous but not essential.
• Proven ability to lead, inspire and develop high-performing creative teams.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance trend, customer needs, product feasibility and profitability.
• Excellent knowledge of fabrics, garment construction, sourcing and manufacturing processes.
• Experience working with major UK retail customers.
• Outstanding communication, presentation and relationship-building skills, with experience working within long lead time supply chains.
• Experience with Bangladesh manufacturing is advantageous.