Menswear Designer

Company Description:

The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. Still family owned and now fifth generation, Barbour HQ remains in South Shields. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the US and Asia offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside. The iconic Barbour Bedale and Barbour Beaufort wax jackets continue to be made by hand in the factory in South Shields. In 2020, Barbour launched Wax for Life, an overarching name for all of Barbour’s wax services designed to encourage customers to extend the life of their wax garments. Wax for Life includes re-waxing and repairs (first introduced in 1921) and Barbour Re-Loved an upcycling circularity initiative. Each year over 70,000 wax garments are sent back to Barbour globally to be repaired, rewaxed or altered.

Position Overview:

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Designer to join our Menswear Design team based at Barbour House, South Shields. You will be responsible for the design and development of seasonal ranges of Menswear clothing in line with critical path deadlines. The design team plays a key role in setting the tone and direction of the brand visually, therefore the role requires a dynamic Designer who is looking to join a successful forward-thinking team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create Barbour International products taking into account design features, price points & margin.
• Deliver product in line with the seasonal objectives for each category and target markets.
• Design ranges in line with the Barbour International brand DNA, following the seasonal brief
• Work to a seasonal critical path for product launch.
• Through regular market visits and range reviews with key representatives, demonstrate an understanding of the key markets in which to grow sales within Barbour International.
• Create an accurate, detailed technical specification for each product suitable for global manufacture.
• Ensure design systems are updated & concise with Barbour international ranges and product categories – PLM.
• Investigating & analysing sales data and market competitors to assist and inform seasonal range design & development - PDSA approach.
• Create appropriate presentation & branding packs to communicate the range direction
• Have the ability to progress product lines and ranges by creating comprehensive mood and colour boards in line with the Barbour International brand DNA.
• Work closely with the technical team and manufacturing base, to create prototype and
• selling samples to the required fit and specification, in line with the critical path deadlines.
• Provide accurate information on all products to the Marketing and E Commerce teams.
• Support in preparing product presentation packs for sales review & launch.

Skills and Experience:

• Degree in clothing and fashion design.
• Established experience of designing, developing and presenting products is essential – ideally in branded menswear fashion.
• Have knowledge of product development from concept to consumer launch.
• Must have knowledge of garment construction and fit across a range of categories
• Demonstrate an understanding of the Barbour International brand positioning, it’s heritage and competitor brands (specifically the UK market).
• Excellent working knowledge of Illustrator and Photoshop packages is essential.
• Knowledge of PLM or similar systems would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of office packages i.e. Word, Excel etc would be preferable.

Benefits:

• Discretionary Company bonus scheme
• Staff discount
• Staff shop
• Healthcare cash plan
• 25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays
• Free onsite parking
• Subsidised canteen

Note: In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.