Design Manager

The Design Manager (DM) takes the creative lead in managing allocated accounts by building strong external relationships, interpreting customer strategy, trends and/or briefs into customer ranges of the highest quality which meet commercial objectives.

The DM will maintain a strong awareness of design trends, innovation and market developments across all DGUK product categories, using this insight to add value to both DGUK and the customer's business. This knowledge will be applied throughout day-to-day activities to support commercial objectives, identify new opportunities and drive product development.

The DM will have a clear understanding of account needs by working side by side proactively with commercial and category colleagues, developing design presentations to suit individual accounts by supporting and providing direction to the Designers.

The DM will be flexible and available for travel, including occasional overnight stays, as required to attend customer meetings, conferences, and industry events in line with business needs and workload demands. Additionally, the DM will provide support and cover for other Design Managers during periods of absence and will work closely with the Senior Creative Team to contribute to key projects and strategic initiatives

The role of Design Manager:

• Acts as the main point of contact creatively, working collaboratively with the customer from initial trend presentation stage, through all design development stages and sign off for repro ensuring critical path deadlines are achieved.
• Working across all product categories.
• Support the Senior Design Managers and wider team in bringing together solutions that meet customer deadlines during high periods of workload.
• Formulates trends, styles and colour palettes for each range and/or season.
• Establishes customer-specific themes as required and confidently directs the creative process.
• Working with the Senior Design Manager, helps to identify DGUK design team member strength and development areas e.g. creative skills and output.
• Must be willing and have the appropriate experience and skills to support on all creative projects and cover a range of accounts where necessary.
• Leads and contributes to creative and product projects across DGUK’s design studios.
• Be aware of Company expectations in regard to sales growth following guidance from commercial and category team.
• Constantly reviews established formats, colourways and content to ensure they are correct for each customer.
• Proactively contributes by demonstrating a far-ranging understanding of customer and market needs.
• Understands the financial and production implications re design and finishes to ensure that product is being developed with commercial awareness across the design team
• Actively contributes to New Product Development and is aware of its development in other areas of the business.  Being involved in all stages of product development from design briefing to job bag preparation and overseeing mock-ups.
• Liaises with Commercial Team, Category Planner and Customer Product Co-ordinator in creating of product ranges. Works closely with repro through to production to ensure accurate product manufacturing.
• Briefs the internal design team and freelance/agency designers as projects dictate and produces freelance/agency budgets & purchase order requests for approval. Maintains records of design spend per assigned project and adheres to approved budgets.
• Ensure high standards of quality control are kept and recommend any changes that will enhance existing quality/department procedures. Maintains clear and precise documentation of all steps of product development from design concept to repro.
• Be aware of the Company’s Quality Policy and Health & Safety Guidelines and promotes a high level of safety.

What Tagged Resources is looking for:

• Relevant design experience
• Flexible to work demands
• Excellent communication Skills
• Organised and able to work under pressure to tight deadlines.
• Multitasking/building ranges.
• Quick to pick up new skills/knowledge.
• Analytical skills.
• Advanced IT skills.
• Planning, time management and organisation skills.
• An understanding of the printing process of the company.
• Packaging knowledge
• Industry knowledge
• Retail experience
• Project management skills
• Good market and consumer awareness
• Excel and PowerPoint skills

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Please be aware the duties listed above are an interpretation of the role and do not form any part of your employment contract. Please ask the interviewer any questions about the role that you wish to clarify.

Tagged Resources Limited acts as an employment agency. We have 25 years of Recruitment and Industry experience, working with Retail and Supply Chain markets and have various positions available. If this vacancy does not suit your experience and you are looking for a suitable role, please look at our website or follow us on social networking sites.  All are updated daily.