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Job description / Role
Senior Design Manager - Milano - Kuwait
Milano is a leading fashion-focused footwear and accessories retailer, offering a wide variety of styles drawing inspiration for the leading international fashion trends. The brand offers an eclectic mix of shoes and bags ranging from casual to something for those more formal occasions. Our staff provide friendly customer service in a stylish and comfortable environment.
Coming from the footwear retail/branded industry, you will be responsible for managing the design function of this small team. At times you will liaise with outsourced design houses and work closely with the buying function and suppliers to ensure the range is commercial, cohesive and consistent between our consumer category groups and the sub-product group that the brand covers.
Taking inspiration from luxury brands for material, finishes, ornaments, look and feel, you will adapt these elements into the development, construction and price points which make up 80% of the role. The remaining time will see you working closely with the brand's Vice President to develop a handwriting for the brand that, over the next 3-4 seasons, will differentiate it from its core competitors and reflect our brand values and identity.
Requirements
* Over 7 years' experience as a women's footwear designer, of which at least 2 years were in a managerial role with a commercial focus
* A degree in Footwear, Fashion or Industrial Design
* Work experience at a footwear vertical retail and/or footwear brand
* Significant product development experience with factories in Asia (additional experience working with European factories is advantageous)
* Experience in building and managing the design database for various constructions, upper design, and ornaments, along with a library for materials
* Advanced level with various design software and tools.
The ideal candidate will be capable of working under pressure and possess experience managing a sizeable range alongside the buying team. You will have strong communication skills and the ability to communicate confidently at all levels, leading to an excellent standard of teamwork and honed inter-personal skills.
About the Company
As a leading international franchise operator, with nearly 90 of the world’s most recognised brands in its portfolio, Alshaya Group brings great shopping, dining, leisure and hospitality experiences to millions of customers across the Middle East & North Africa, Russia, Turkey, Europe and beyond.
Alshaya Group is a dynamic multinational business and family owned enterprise with a consistent record of growth and innovation. For 35 years, Alshaya has been a pioneering force in brand franchising, using its exceptional knowledge and experience to expand at pace.
Our portfolio of well-loved international brands includes Starbucks, H&M, Mothercare, Debenhams, American Eagle Outfitters, P.F. Chang’s, The Cheesecake Factory, The Body Shop, M.A.C, Victoria’s Secret, Boots, Pottery Barn, KidZania and, coming soon, Hampton by Hilton.
From one retail franchise store opened in Kuwait in 1983, Alshaya Group has consistently grown and diversified and today offers customers an unparalleled choice of brands across multiple sectors; Fashion & Footwear, Health & Beauty, Food, Optics, Pharmacy, Home Furnishings, Leisure & Entertainment, and Hotels. A diverse, skilled team of 53,000 people from 120 nationalities support more than 4,000 stores, cafes, restaurants and leisure destinations, a growing online business and a commitment to delivering great customer experiences.