Creative Director - Homes Textiles

• Work with a British, family run business steeped in history.
• Although very much expanded, it remains a family business at heart.

About Our Client

A family-run business, with a focus on teamwork, innovation and sustainability, they collectively aim to deliver the highest, most professional levels of customer service, whilst also achieving excellence in everything they do.

Job Description

• Design Leadership, Product Sourcing & Developing
  • Devise and implement the brand strategy and design direction, developing a strong brand identity that is both aspirational and commercial.
  • Lead & oversee the design process from inception to launch including creative experimentation, design development, product trialling & selection.
  • Lead, inspire, motivate, mentor, encourage and support the design team in taking an innovative approach to creating inspiring textile, wallcovering, and accessory collections.
  • Research and set the design direction for new collections, identifying potential new product areas and opportunities as required
  • Oversee the creative design process, providing feedback & direction to the team of talented in-house designers with a strong emphasis on hand painting and drawing, creative experimentation, and colour sensitivity.
  • Manage the design development process and critical path for launch, liaising with external suppliers and internal departments to ensure strict ordering & launch deadlines are adhered to.
  • Key point of contact for suppliers and producers, developing close working relationships with our manufacturing partners, visiting suppliers, and overseeing production where necessary.
  • Responsible for all product sourcing for the brand, visiting industry trade shows and producers as required.
  • Negotiate product prices, liaising with suppliers and their agents to ensure exclusivity and competitive commercial value.
  • Conduct a regular review and analysis of sales to identify key products to sustain, using an understanding and commercial awareness of brand sales to develop a broad product offering that meets the evolving needs of our customer base.
  • Liaise with key international sales people to gain feedback on existing and upcoming collections, developing an understanding of individual market requirements to inform future product development.
  • Key point of contact for complex or significant sales enquiries that require specific product knowledge.
  • Be the creative lead and key point of contact for any exclusive design collaborations.
  Brand & Marketing
  • Through close collaboration with the Head of Marketing, develop and communicate a clearly defined look, style and tone of voice to best represent the brand.
  • Approve key graphic and written marketing content to ensure consistency of brand presentation.
  • Oversee all aspects of photoshoots for product marketing purposes, including the recruiting and directing of freelance stylists and photographers as required, to produce exceptional product images for use in our printed and digital marketing material.
  • Oversee the design and presentation of all product sampling including pattern books and swatches.
  • Provide guidance to Visual Merchandising to ensure brand and product displays at international showrooms and exhibitions are in keeping with the brand aesthetic.
  • Conduct product presentations to international sales teams (either in-person or digitally) to explain the creative journey and technical details of new product launches, acting as the key brand ambassador to our distribution network.
  • Liaise with Directors to set new product & sampling prices.

The Successful Applicant

Skills / Experience:

• Exceptional creativity and innovative thinking, consistently generating fresh ideas and able to clearly communicate the vision for the brand.
• 5+ years experience in home furnishings & textiles, in a similar leading role.
• Passionate about interiors and the design industry.
• Trend driven with a keen eye for fashion, design & colour.
• Expert knowledge of fabric and wallcovering print, design & weave processes, including up-to-date technical knowledge of relevant CAD programmes.
• Excellent coaching & mentoring skills with experience of building and developing a high performing team.
• A collaborative and flexible approach to working, being able to adapt to the changing needs and demands of the business.
• Outstanding interpersonal and influencing skills with the ability to build strong working relationships internally as well as externally.
• Exceptional organisational and time management skills, delivering to tight launch deadlines.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary and benefit package.
• Challenging and rewarding role in a dynamic retail-focused environment.
• A state of the art head office, and beautiful design studio based in London.

Contact

Kerry May

Quote job ref

JN-012026-6916392