AddressRole Purpose
Lead and oversee the design, development and sourcing of the Menswear product range that represents exceptional value in the market place. Deliver fashionable, customer focussed, well balanced ranges on time with consideration on company design direction.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop the Strategic Design Brief which will cater for the Country Road core customer. Ensuring the range is on trend, selecting seasonal colour palettes for each product category
- Provide direction on concept and colour boards through research and development into emerging trends
- Responsible for the Design & Development of the Country Road Menswear range in keeping with brand image, option plan, price points and margin
- Conduct competitor analysis in both domestic and international markets
- Liaise with Planning Manager to ensure styling and ranges meet business requirements and work within option plan guidelines
- Analyse weekly sales reports to determine bestsellers, sell-throughs and problem styles/colours
- Ensure that potential is maximised in each class by driving repeats, consolidations, re-prices and markdowns
- Liaise and build relationships with overseas agents and key vendors to communicate styling and design concepts
- Select vendors based on; quality standards, product construction, price and minimums in conjunction with production
- Brief off-shore agents/vendors to meet the requirements of the product – provide spec sheets and work with vendors and agents on selection of raw materials and components
- As required, attend overseas trips with Design team to get creative inspiration and additionally to guide design team on styles, colour and fabrications (research overseas trends and markets; purchasing samples relevant to the range)
- As required, undertake order procurement trips to relevant vendor base to secure orders and strong FOB negotiations
- Lead and motivate team members to work in a cohesive manner to achieve the creative vision and direction
- Drive a performance driven culture through a focus on the development of team members skills and capability
- Provide training and development to direct reports so that they can be effective in their roles
- Ensure performance management processes are implemented in line with HR guidelines in order to support the succession planning process.
Key Capabilities
- Previous experience product design & development, Menswear essential
- Experience building ranges taking into account core, seasonal and aspirational elements
- Experience sourcing and working with overseas vendors; in particular China and India
- Experience designing overall casual, urban and career lifestyles
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
- Strong negotiation skills in order to influence internal and external stakeholders
- Strong Fabric and technical knowledge.
Why work for us?
- A competitive remuneration package, including annual performance incentives
- Generous employee discounts across Country Road Group brands
- An additional day of leave for your birthday
- Hybrid working arrangements in office and from home that provide appropriate work/life balance
- Seasonal clothing allowance across the Country Road Group portfolio of brands
- Opportunities to support community partnerships across our Corporate Social Responsibility program
- Be a member of a company committed to sustainable practices
- Ongoing training and development to pursue individual ambitions.
About Country Road
Since 1974, Country Road has built a legacy of effortless style and quality designs that are made to last. From its products to its partnerships and stores, the brand looks to drive positive change so you can feel proud of every Country Road purchase you take home.
Country Road Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.
Country Road Group prefers to manage all sourcing directly, please submit your applications to this role if you are interested. Please note introductions via agency will not be accepted.
