Midweight Menswear Designer

Midweight Menswear Designer

Salary: £45,000 per annum
Location: Ardwick, Manchester
Working Pattern: Hybrid, 4 days office / 1 day remote
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, flexible working hours
Experience: 3-5 years

About the Business

Our client is a contemporary fashion brand specialising in premium streetwear and lifestyle apparel, with collections spanning menswear and womenswear.

The brand combines trend-led graphics, modern luxury and strong brand storytelling, with a focus on creating elevated, commercially relevant products. Based in Manchester, the business has an established presence within the fashion market and continues to develop its collections and creative team.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a Midweight Menswear Designer to take ownership of the design and development of seasonal menswear collections within a growing fashion brand.

Working closely with senior stakeholders and the wider product team, you will oversee designs from initial concept and range building through to sampling and final production. Jersey is a particularly important category, with a strong emphasis on developing new franchises, silhouettes, fabrications and graphics.

You will also play an important role in supporting and mentoring a Junior Menswear Designer, helping to establish and develop the wider menswear design function.

Key Responsibilities

Design & Creative Direction

• Lead the design and development of seasonal menswear collections, with a focus on premium streetwear and lifestyle apparel.
• Interpret emerging trends, cultural influences and competitor activity to inform new product development.
• Develop innovative silhouettes, graphics and garment concepts that align with the brand's identity.
• Take ownership of key design projects, particularly jersey franchises and core product categories.
• Present design concepts and collections to senior leadership and key stakeholders.

Technical & Product Development

• Produce detailed CAD designs and comprehensive tech packs for production.
• Lead silhouette development, fabric selection and garment construction, ensuring quality and commercial viability.
• Work closely with Product Development and Garment Tech teams to refine fits, proportions and product specifications.
• Lead fit sessions and oversee the development process from initial concept through to final production.
• Ensure designs meet the required technical, quality and commercial standards.

Range Management & Commercial Awareness

• Support the development and structure of seasonal menswear ranges, balancing core products, seasonal drops and statement pieces.
• Monitor industry trends, competitor activity and sales performance to identify opportunities for new product development.
• Maintain awareness of fabrications, garment quality and emerging design innovations.
• Manage design deliverables and ensure key milestones and deadlines are achieved.

Team Development & Collaboration

• Mentor and provide guidance to the Junior Menswear Designer.
• Build strong working relationships across design, product development and garment technology.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external suppliers throughout the development process.
• Contribute to the continued development of the menswear design function.

Key Skills & Experience

• 3-5 years' experience in menswear design, ideally within a premium or contemporary fashion brand.
• Strong understanding of streetwear, lifestyle apparel and commercial menswear collections.
• Experience developing jersey products, including silhouettes, fabrications and graphic-led designs.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction, fabric selection, fit and quality.
• Confident producing CAD designs and detailed technical packs.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Experience working closely with garment technicians and product development teams.
• Ability to take ownership of design projects and manage the development process through to production.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating relevant menswear design experience.
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior design team members.

What's on Offer

• Salary of £45,000 per annum.
• Quarterly performance-based bonus, with the percentage dependent on band level.
• Hybrid working, with 4 days in the Manchester office and 1 day working remotely.
• Flexible working hours, with start times between 7:30am and 6:30pm.
• Early finish on Fridays, provided weekly contracted hours have been completed.
• Opportunity to take ownership of menswear collections and contribute to the development of a growing design team.

Apply now with your CV and Portfolio attached or as a link!

Any issues applying email me on William@forwardrole.com

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