Design Manager - Childrenswear

Job description / Role

Are you currently a Design Manager - Childrenswear experience looking for your next step? We have an exciting Childrenswear Design Manager opportunity available for this premium fashion retailer based in Kuwait. The brand has an emphasis on providing its customers with style and quality and is a fantastic brand across the Middle East.

Key responsibilities include:

* Provide vision for brand concept and lead team through execution of product design
* Build partnerships with cross functional teams (materials, product development, sourcing) to ensure print concepts are commercialize under specific seasonal timelines
* Lead the aesthetic execution of product, including: color, fabric/finish standards, print and pattern, expression of fit and trim/findings and any other materials.
* Identify key seasonal trends and competitor analysis
* Working alongside the other Fashion Designers, Fabric Specialists, Print, Textile & Graphic artists and Trend Forecasters,
* Issuing of sketches, flat drawings and technical sheets which will be sent to their manufacturer
* Action and approving of lab dips
* Attending regular fit sessions with the Garment Tech team, paying attention to quality control
* Set up the Design calendar in relation to production and manage the flow of the stock with the Buying and Merchandising teams
* Maintaining excellent relationships internally and with external partners

Requirements

As a Design Manager, the essential skills will include:

* Strong technical knowledge on Childrenswear across all categories, fabrics and trims
* Excellent market knowledge and trend awareness with elevated taste levels with the ability to translate this to commercial ranges appropriate for specific customers' requirements
* Ability to negotiate and manage costings in relation to bulk production is essential
* Strong contemporary hand drawing skills and also the capability to work on Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Excel
* Previous experience with a Women's fast fashion environment

You will grasp the understanding of the brands signature shapes and best sellers and will be a confident communicator dealing directly with Manufacturers, Technical, QC and Buying teams.

This is a really exciting opportunity to be part of a growing business and have real creative input in a fun and dynamic team. They are a friendly company where you will have a voice and will be in a hands-on role leading a small team of designers.

We request that candidates send their CV as a Microsoft Word document where possible.

Quest Search and Selection is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

About the Company

Quest Search & Selection is a specialist recruitment consultancy with over 20 years' experience in sourcing the world's best candidates for the global Retail, FMCG and Hospitality sectors.

With offices in the UK & Dubai, we have an international presence and a global reach. Our recruiters place candidates locally and internationally for a wide variety of roles focusing on the following areas:

Retail Buying & Merchandising, E-commerce & Digital, Food & Beverage, Hotels, Hospitality & Operations, Retail Stores & Operations, HR & Recruitment, Procurement, Supply Chain & Logistics, Sales & Marketing, Technical and New Product Development.

We work in partnership with our clients who range from famous international brands within the Retail, Restaurant, Hotel and Consumer products space. Our reputation is built on our in-depth understanding of the industry and our consultants' skill, knowledge and passion for their sectors.