Design Manager - Menswear / Kidswear

About us.

We are The Very Group and we’re here to help families get more out of life. We know that our customers work hard for their families and have a lot to balance in their busy lives. That’s why we combine amazing brands and products with flexible payment options on Very.co.uk to help them say yes to the things they love. We’re just as passionate about helping our people get more out of life too; building careers with real growth, a sense of purpose, belonging and wellbeing.

About the role.

We are looking for a passionate, enthusiastic and hardworking Design Manager to join our small but dynamic menswear & kidswear team.  This role has a focus on building and growing both our menswear & kidswear own brand ranges. 

This role requires previous experience at Senior designer or Design manager level. With previous experience working within an own brand team or within a brand.  

The role will be responsible for overseeing the design direction across menswear and kidswear and managing a team of designers across two locations. Required to have an in-depth knowledge of menswear and preferably prior experience in kidswear 

Identifying customer preferences and forecasting and creating consumer trends that are in line with the Very DNA. Creating/ Overseeing innovative & quality ranges that are in line with the overall brand strategy and business objectives. Ensuring both newness, core and trend are developed. Identifying future opportunities to grow the brand. 

Travel is required on a weekly / bi-weekly basis to the head office near Liverpool if not located nearby.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design Direction for Menswear & Kidswear own brand ranges 

• Range review and sign offs of product 

• Working alongside buying mangers & design managers to keep consistency across departments 

• Keen knowledge of trade to understand sales, pricing, customer satisfaction, best and worst, colour, and fits to drive product decision making to ensure department profitability. 
• Monitoring multi departmental budgets. 
• Forge and maintaining relationships both within the business and across the relevant supply chain and hub for the relevant departments. 
• Prior management experience of a team. 
• Management and improvement of departments hit rate. 
• Clear vision of overall aesthetics of menswear and kidswear and assisting in product choices for TV adverts, lookbooks and shoots,  

• Working with branded teams to deliver key trends and help assist buys to work harmoniously alongside own brand. 

• Ability to design when needed., Strong skills in CAD (illustrator, photoshop, Indesign)  

• Ability to create clear and detailed design packs to be sent to the supply chain. 

• Ability to translate initial ideas and concepts into commercial designs. 

• Working closely with the technical team, advising factories on fabric, fit, construction and details. 

• Sourcing from the supply base and building strong relationship with suppliers. 

• Reacting to sales information and designing commercially relevant, fashion-forward trends and ranges with our customer in mind. 

• Have strong presentation skills and be confident to present designs in meetings especially to SMT GLT and in house trend presentations. 

How to apply

Please note that the talent acquisition team are managing this vacancy directly, and if successful in securing this role, you may be required to undertake a credit, CIFAS and CRB check.

What happens next?

Our talent acquisition team will be in touch if you’re successful so keep an eye on your emails! We’ll arrange a short call to learn more about you, as well as answer any questions you have. If it feels like we’re a good match, we’ll share your CV with the hiring manager to review, and then be in touch to move to the interview process. Our interview process is tailored to each role and can be in-person and remotely. We will always look to make the adjustments you need to bring your best self to interview.

For this role after meeting our Talent Acquisition Team you can expect a 2 stage process.

First Stage - 30 minute video interview which will consist of exploring your experience and portfolios in more depth and an opportunity for you to find out more about the role and the team.

Second Stage - A 1 hour Design Project task for you to present followed by a Q&A and value led competency questions.

If you'd like to know more about our interviews, you can find out here.

Equal opportunities

We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.