Senior Designer - Kids
Location: Street, Somerset
About the role:
Creation of seasonal product designs and prototypes to meet requirements of design briefs for key product groups, working on new constructions driving the shape of the seasonal gender lines. The development of off-line, conceptual product designs aimed at delivering the long term design strategy driving gender lines forward. All designs and developments delivered meet the requirements of product differentiation and brand and collection proposition in all three regions and for the collection of the Clarks targeted consumer
Work closely to develop colour and material boards to drive the look and shape of the line.
Research design themes and concepts to determine brand and collection interpretation and key looks feeding back to Product Management team.
Gender strategy into gender design team.
Working with PLM/Pod Team establish prioritisation and distribution of seasonal design workload.
Collaborate to select new materials/leathers.
Finalise seasonal design briefs with the line/ PLM ensuring they meet both collection and design strategy.
Design creative product briefs to meet the collections requirements for the consumer, commercial aspects of the brief, as well as Brand proposition.
Develop last and unit/outsole designs in collaboration with product engineers, last specialists/ CAD.
Work with product development and sources to develop initial design concepts to prototype stage.
Develop and maintain briefing packs for sources/product development for creation of prototypes.
Work with sources to develop a line of samples to meet the line review timelines
Present product concepts to key stakeholders to effectively influence decision making.
Help manage adherence to design/development timelines of collection design team.
Drive colour and materials mix within the line challenging established formulas.
Mentor the development of gender design team establishing training requirements and coaching key skill areas. Help support career progression plan together with BUD and range managers.
Work on off-line, cross gender conceptual design projects, aimed at driving shape/structure of the line for the future.
Collaborate with freelance/outside design resource as directed by PLM to deliver against design brief requirements to budget.
Comprehensive set of product boards to present to BUD/range managers with timetabled updates to complement the range build requirements.
Gender design team fully engaged and enthused with seasonal collection and design strategies.
Concise briefs are developed to deliver both the design and line requirements.
On time delivery of product designs and prototypes by gender design team which meet brief requirements.
Clear and concise briefing to sources delivering effective interpretation of designs
Samples are available for line review process on time.
Lines reflect the season’s colour/materials palette challenging previously established formulas, delivering commercial and exciting product packages.
Lines reflect the season’s key looks for the Clarks consumer, supporting existing product groups and introducing new directional design concepts/product categories.
Gender design team skills are as planned and meet resource plans. Successful career progression plans in place for all levels of design.
Industry leading, cross gender, innovative/conceptual design projects delivers against brand/design strategy requirements.
Line reflects clear brand identity.
Freelance design work meets all brief/brand collection requirements within budget.
About You
Thorough understanding of Clarks product development processes
In depth knowledge of shoemaking process
Thorough knowledge of lasts and units/out soles
In depth experience of the design process and product briefing
Good sourcing knowledge
Excellent understanding of the Clarks brand collection strategy
In-depth knowledge of the Clarks consumer
Design qualification to degree level or equivalent industry experience
Thorough knowledge of product costing
Shoemaking process
High level of product development skills
Wide ranging experience in footwear design
Working to a determined timeline
Proven creative ability
Support developing others in design skills/development of training programmes
Proven footwear design capability
High level technical appreciation of all footwear constructions
Design specification packs - ability to expertly interpret and review blueprints
High level skill in design software
Expert knowledge of Leather and materials
Graphic design desirable
Strong decision making skills
Ability to collaborate at all levels
Good communication skills both verbally and in writing
Strong influencing and interpersonal skills
Team leader
Inspirational
Customer and consumer focus
Drive
Time management and prioritisation
Coaching
Team player
Ability to collaborate at all levels
What We Offer
Competitive salary
Flexible/hybrid working options
Career development and progression opportunities
Supportive and collaborative culture
Comprehensive benefits package
Why join us?
At Clarks, you’ll be part of a brand with heritage, craftsmanship, and style at its core. We offer great training, career progression, and the chance to make your mark in a global business.
About Clarks
Clarks, based in Somerset, England, has been at the forefront of innovative shoemaking since its foundation in 1825 when brothers James and Cyrus Clark made a slipper from sheepskin off-cuts. At the time, it was ground-breaking: a combination of invention and craftsmanship that has remained at the heart of what the brand does now. In the Clarks archive, more than 22,000 pairs of shoes have sparked revolutions and defined generations. From the original Clarks Desert Boot, first designed by Nathan Clark and launched in 1950, to the iconic Wallabee, each design has an instantly recognisable signature that makes it unmistakably Clarks.
Disclaimer
This document describes the general nature and level of work only. It is not designed to cover an exhaustive list of all skills, activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Other activities, duties, and responsibilities may be added at any time. This description may be changed at the company’s discretion at any time, with or without notice.