An exciting position has arisen for an experienced Menswear Designer/Product Developer to join a well-established supplier and manufacturer on a maternity cover basis. This role offers the chance to be part of a dynamic, multi-functional team dedicated to designing, developing, and producing garments for several leading clothing retailers.

Senior Designer / Product Developer (Menswear) - Why This Role Stands Out:

* To design and develop seasonal and trend-led in-house collections that align with customer aesthetics.

* Identify emerging trends and potential gaps in the product range, proposing innovative fabrics and styling options.

* Manage and support a team of five designers, fostering their development and contributing to the business's progress.

* Collaboration: Work closely with in-house account management teams, suppliers, and production sites to ensure seamless operations and customer satisfaction.

* Research and Innovation: Conduct ongoing fabric and trend research, presenting findings to in-house teams and customers.

* Leadership: Prepare, present, and lead customer development days, ensuring development samples meet briefs and are delivered on time.

Key Responsibilities:

* Extensive fabric and trim sourcing according to customer briefs and emerging trends.

* Raising and updating design tech packs and checking samples against them.

* Managing the development critical path, regularly updating customers on sample progress.

* Liaising daily with mills, factories, and customer buying teams, establishing close professional relationships.

* Attending weekly factory critical path meetings to ensure critical dates are maintained and issues resolved.

* Following up on comp shops and managing the design critical path to ensure showrooms are ready for key seasonal dates.

Senior Designer / Product Developer (Menswear) - Skills & Experience :

* Degree in apparel design or a similar field.

* Over 5 years of multi-category menswear design experience.

* Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator) and Microsoft Office.

* Excellent communication, presentation, and organisational skills.

* A confident, proactive, and flexible approach with the ability to supervise others and work effectively under pressure.

* Ability to interact effectively with suppliers and colleagues at all levels.

* This opportunity is London based and applicants must have full eligibility to work in the UK