More about the role

Here, at New Look, everything that we do is for the love of fashion.

We’ve been bringing the latest fashion to the high-street since 1969.  We’re now a global, multichannel brand offering on-trend, value-fashion for women, men and teenage girls.  Even after 50 years we’ve stayed true to our original mission of delivering fabulous products at a price our customers can afford.

It’s our colleagues today that continue our journey to create a New Look that everyone loves.

It’s our values that inspire us every day - we play to win, we are customer obsessed, we work as one and it starts with you.

We are always on the lookout for talented, passionate people to join our New Look team.

The Role:

Great role for an experienced Designer to join our Blouses team. If you enjoy working in the fast paced and exciting environment, juggling multiple plates and having a good laugh as you do – then the New Look Design team is for you! This role offers a wide breath of autonomy, reporting directly into the head of and working with a talented team. You will put the customer requirements at the centre of the product offer to develop and deliver a commercial and profitable range that maximises sales opportunity. You will support the Company Design strategy by designing and developing core range(s) in line with current trend, customer profiles and brand direction. To identify department key item blocks and ensure they are delivered.  You will manage direct reports to ensure delivery of departmental objectives, working closely with Buyer / Senior Buyer / Head of Design.

Key Responsibilities:

Design

• Clearly identifying department key items at the start of the season and ensure they are delivered in line with New Look customer profiles

• Identifying key item blocks for the season in line with Brand strategy and take full ownership of them

• Driving forward the Design team, with support of the Heads of Design, and be a vocal voice in strategic opportunities

• Driving new trends commercially through product ranges with the New Look brand handwriting and customer front of mind

• Strategically manages the critical path from design concept through to final buying samples reacting to market changes and challenges.

• Creating mood boards, trend presentations and catwalk reports giving clear and concise trend messages to Buying teams

• Sourcing new fabrications overseas inspired from trend research and to share new ideas on fabrics with the wider Design team where relevant

• Working in synergy with Buying to build a strong fashion yet commercial range, sharing ideas and information with other product areas to ensure brand / product consistency

• Good influencing skills and self believe, to ensure that newness is delivered into the range, at the correct grading in collaboration with Buying

• In-depth trend knowledge, being able to identify emerging trends and influence the business at critical points.  Looking at opportunities to react quickly, with strong understanding of the supply base and how to get quick reads on product

• Identifying new sourcing opportunities and providing focused, clear development direction to current supplier base

• Developing the right product at the right time, in line with the departmental design strategy to meet customer requirements

• Monitoring, maintaining and actioning in-depth competitor analysis, and presenting ideas and new product opportunities to gain competitor advantage

• Sharing information where relevant on product, suppliers, best / worst sellers within business area and across the wider business

• Communicating effectively with all internal and external teams

• Working with QA to complete fit sessions in order to develop block and fit that reflects design direction and customer trends

• Driving trends and themes for each range period and the delivery of these in a timely manner, supporting the Head of Design / Design Manager

• Planning, development and inspiration trips with the Buyer in line with the critical path

Product Awareness

• An excellent understanding of the New Look Customer

• Strong understanding of our Customer Insight and Market Share

• Actively contributing in trend and competitor analysis, making recommendations for changes or developments

• Ongoing familiarity of the competition’s product range

Team

• Challenging current ways of working and practices across departments and functions, coming up with new initiatives to benefit the whole Business and implementing these

• Managing and developing the Team, displaying strong leadership skills to enable achievement of New Look’s strateg

• Giving 1:1 coaching on the job, transferring skills and knowledge to others

• Conducting regular catch up’s and performance reviews, proactive in managing performance, ensuring constructive feedback, recognition and praise is given

• Creating and sustaining a positive Team spirit

• Driving the BMD vision into clear goals and objectives for your direct reports and their teams

Technical Skills

• PC  / Mac literate - Photoshop, Illustrator, Excel, Word, Adobe Suite

• Excellent spec skills using a mix of hand sketching, illustrator and Photoshop

• Able to present work in an exciting format to Heads Of and / or Directors, influencing buying decisions

• Management of work load according to the critical path

• An in-depth knowledge of the current competitive and inspirational market place

Other Essential Skills

• Excellent interpersonal / communication skills

• Superb understanding of the department, and the ability to predict trend / key items with full conviction at the start of the season

• Ability to line manage, motivate and develop the team

• Ability to initiate, build and maintain strong relationships with Buying/Merchandising /QA

• Good influencing skills

• Ability to contribute to the bigger picture and Design department as a whole

• Good organisational skills

• Flexible, adaptable and able to work in a fast paced environment

• Forward thinking in approach

• Presentation skills

• Pro-active in approach and seeks solutions

• Fully represent and demonstrate our New Look Values

About You:

• Previous experience as a Designer / Senior Designer within a major retailer / department within New Look / established supplier

Minimum level of education or qualifications

• Fashion Qualification / Other degree desirable

Why New Look?

The amazing people, the love of fashion, the 4pm Friday finishes – there are so many reasons to love working at New Look.

We offer training to support you and your career progression, so that you can be at your absolute best.

You’ll also receive these amazing benefits:

• 40% staff discount

• Monthly 25% off  privilege vouchers for family and friends to enjoy

• Quarterly sample sales

• Season ticket loans

We’re sure that you’re as excited as us to get back to some level of normality soon. While we’ve always championed our smarter working policy, COVID has changed the way we work remotely. We’re dreaming of those days where we’re able to meet and collaborate in the office again and when we do, we expect to maintain a flexible approach, balancing time between home and office. This is always role dependant so worth covering off in any conversations you have throughout the process.

Apply now to find out more.