Fabrics - Commercial - Senior Designer

We're seeking a Senior Designer to join our Standfast & Barracks team leading design direction, mentor and train other members of the team, and make higher‑level creative and technical decisions.
Contributing to Design, Colour and Creative Marketing projects to produce collections and provide support to the Sales team for external visits, meetings and tradeshows.

About Us:

Sanderson Design Group plc is a luxury interior design house, home to six iconic brands with over 165 years of history: Sanderson, Morris & Co., Harlequin, Zoffany, Clarke & Clarke, and Scion. Our portfolio spans fabric, wallpaper, and paint, with manufacturing capabilities through Anstey and Standfast & Barracks. Our purpose is to ‘bring the beautiful into people’s homes and lives’ and we are the proud owner of one of Europe’s largest design archives, with over 75,000 historical documents and artworks. We also have a growing international licensing programme which supports our strategic global expansion.

Key Responsibilities:

To create and innovate for both the Standfast & Barracks and Anstey design teams across fabric and wallpaper
Show creative leadership within the Design team; support the Design Supervisor with setting design direction
Provide mentoring and give oversight to other members of the wider team
Give comprehensive training to new members of the team
Lead on various creative projects, and report and present this back to the Design Supervisor and Head of Department
Make higher-level decisions on bases, production methods and feasibility for our customers
Shape long-term design direction based on market insight
Extensively research, profile and forecast existing and potential customers using books, websites, and other media
Work closely with the Design and Creative Marketing team to create regular trend and colour boards relevant to our customers
Use a variety of media to create original artwork. Must be able to use creative initiative as well as following direction given accurately and to a brief
Artworks and archive documents must be scanned correctly and advanced layouts and repeats created using CAD in a creative and complex way
Well-balanced and on-trend colourways created, and customer CADs and swatches matched to with great accuracy
Final designs must be printed on the appropriate cloth. Different bases must be explored, and advice given to less experienced members of the team
Work on large collections with customers both remotely and on-site, keeping them well-informed and sticking to Critical Path timings
Support Bulk Colourists with initial prints throughout busy periods
Separate complex designs ready for colouration
Work with the Business Development Managers to develop initial print businesses. This will involve selecting market appropriate portfolios for customer visits
Travel with the Business Development Managers to face-to-face customer meetings or attend these online
Work closely with the Creative Marketing Supervisor to create relevant, on-trend marketing tools including digital pattern books and mail campaigns. Support on internal photoshoots and in-house styling opportunities
To keep good standards of housekeeping
Carry out all other reasonable duties as requested
Comply with all Health and Safety policies and regulations
Work in a safe manner and promote a positive and safe culture

Connecting with others:

High standard of communication with external customers via email, telephone and in person.
Working with customers face-to-face when they are on site in the archive or colouring collections.
Keep fantastic levels of communication between departments throughout the business, to ensure workflow is efficient.
Work closely on initial prints with Planning, Customer Services and Business Development personnel.
Work on keeping training plans up to date and provide extensive and detailed training for junior members of the team.

Skills & Experience:

At least 5 years’ experience in the industry.
Must have well developed skills in art and design using a wide variety of media and styles
A sound knowledge of CAD skills, particularly Photoshop and AVA
Experience in creating and using set colour palettes
Experience in a Sales role would be advantageous
Good organisation skills and the ability to manage their own time effectively
Attention to detail
Team player with ability to work in a team and individually

Values & Behaviours:

Intrepid: Take responsibility and learning from both success and challenges.
Imaginative: Proactively seek solutions, make thoughtful decisions quickly and step forward with confidence.
Respectful: Create a space for open conversations where everyone can share ideas and challenge each other with respect and care.