Assistant Designer- Womenswear

From Merchandising and Marketing - Product Development and Design, through to Supply Chain and Space Planning - our mission is to bring stylish wardrobe, home and beauty essentials to our customers via an easy, inspiring shopping experience online and in store that will delight them every time.

As we accelerate the transformation of our business to suit the changing needs of our customer, we need results-orientated colleagues that not only have a passion for our product, but a strong team working ethos, creativity and a healthy commercial aim to join us on our journey.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to join a dynamic womenswear team with a focus of casual dresses including jersey dresses. We are looking for a passionate, enthusiastic, creative individual who can work collaboratively within our close design team. The candidate must be self-motivated, super organised and a great team player. The candidate should demonstrate a great eye for style and trend with the ability to both challenge and move ranges forward.

This is a 1 year fixed term contract

**IMPORTANT - Please add a sample of your portfolio to the end of your CV as you can only upload one document to your application**

Key accountabilities & measures:

• Work alongside the Senior Designer and team to deliver the global product direction
• Support the Senior Designer in producing high standard of CADs, Tech packs via PLM (PLM training available if required) at the right time to meet Critical Path dates.
• Support effective working relationships with our Sourcing Office teams and Suppliers
• Research global retail and trends under the direction of the Senior Designer and identify and communicate key opportunities
• Assist in creating design boards, design publications and design DPS presentations
• Manage time to meet critical path dates
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the target customer
• Carry out inspirational and comparative shopping with support, and regularly review competitor ranges and identify potential opportunities to the Senior Designer

Key skills:

• High level of technical proficiency and mindset in Design related software to include Illustrator, Photoshop, In Design and Adobe. Knowledge and experience of 3ddi and Clo a bonus
• Strong design and CAD skills with an eye for detail
• Knowledge of Trend interpretation, current competitive marketplace, and product design, regularly monitor competitor activity and report relevant information.
• Previous experience working with casual dress tops or skirts product.
• Experience in direct design sourced product, working with Design/Technology and Buying to create high standards of CAD and Tech packs via PLM
• Multitask orientated with the ability to work to tight deadlines to the critical path
• Strong communication skills.
• Excellent photoshop and Adobe illustrator skills essential
• The ability to create clear and accurate tech packs
• Has experience working on soft woven product with a great eye for print.

Key Benefits:

• Flexible working approach, with a balance of being in the office and working from home
• Competitive salary plus bonus
• 29 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays)
• 20% discount on M&S products
• A range of wellbeing support (including a virtual GP)
• 25% off gym memberships, access to online fitness classes and discounts for complementary health services, such as nutrition and lifestyle coaching

Interested? Apply here!

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M&S is ready to push boundaries to lead the retail industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring digital era. That’s why we’re revolutionising how we work and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. There’s never been a better time to be part of our team. Marks & Spencer aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make an immediate impact.

We are committed to an active Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process, and we are happy to talk flexible working.

If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application. We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment.