Head of Menswear Outerwear

Position Overview:

We currently have a rare opportunity for a Head of Outerwear to join our Menswear team based at Barbour House, South Shields. You will be responsible for the management & direction of the Men's Outerwear business in line with agreed objectives. Driving the business forward across brans & categories in relation to sales, margin & strategic direction with adherence to agreed timelines.

A key directive of this role will be aligning the range with the market opportunity, (Global) on Price, on product direction and range structure and on relevance. You will drive development to align to the retailers and their needs. In reference to our competitor set and the comparative ranges available to the market. While ensuring all men's outerwear meets the company's high standards for quality, durability and craftsmanship. You will be a key and valued member of the Men's Senior Team and will be pivotal in driving our 5yr strategy in product and sourcing plans.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• In partnership with the wider senior team, you will deliver outstanding market leading product ranges that capitalise on the global market opportunities and needs, ensuring we deliver the agreed 5yr plan. As a much loved and respected brand with real iconic designs, respect the past whilst planning and evolving for the future.
• Drive Men's Outerwear forward balancing authenticity and relevance. Focussing on developing the product plans that are needed to achieve our business goals and our 5yr plan. This would both be at a high level, range direction/priorities etc, and a more detailed level i.e. items and price points.
• Lead and manage the Design Managers (Outerwear teams), ensuring alignment with our standards and business objectives. Foster a culture of working hard together and continuous improvement.
• With support from the Senior Head of Menswear, ensure team are engaged and focus on all aspects of product design & development and deliver season on season product excellence.
• Ensuring that the Design Managers planning is a joined-up approach for a Menswear POV in our approach to integrating our necessary timelines with Sales/Marketing/Supply Chain.
• Manage and mentor the team in design to deliver against the workload requirements. Ensure planning and execution is joined up and consistent, integrating our timeline and targets.
• Become the heart of the design and development process for Outerwear. It's a much loved and respected brand with real iconic designs. Respect the past whilst planning and evolving for the future.
• Build on established cross department relationships, with excellent communication, across the Sales, Marketing, Product, Supply Chain & Forecasting triangle.
• Supporting cross department communication: SALES. Engaging and building relationships with the international Sales team to understand their needs, customers and timings is central to the role.
• Supporting cross department communication: MARKETING. The communication of story concepts, drops and collection structure is an essential part of the WHT process with the Marketing teams.
• Support cross department communication: SUPPLY CHAIN. Encourage Design teams to have strong links and a joined-up approach with Technical, suppliers and Supply Chain teams.
• Suppliers - Understanding Factories, suppliers and the production process and requirements. Integral to building the Menswear Outerwear business has undoubtably been the close relationship that has been built with key suppliers across the categories.
• Understand the main partners/the process of development/the costing process between wax/quilt/WPB and Casuals. Liaise with Technical teams and Supply Chain to support in evaluating and strategically planning development.

Skills and Experience:

• Preferred - Degree in Fashion Design or related equivalent.
• Experience in a similar equivalent level role, leading an experienced Design team.
• Outstanding understanding of Menswear apparel and what makes a great product (fabrics, detail, fit and competitors etc).
• Extensive experience of Design & Development especially in Men's Outerwear. Covering all aspects: cost/margin/RRP's, seasonal drops and collections.
• Strong skills in analysis, planning, communication and strategy implementation.
• Previous use of PLM system/s or similar preferred.
• Long established experience of working with overseas suppliers.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of brand and retailers in the UK.
• Experience working with global markets - Europe/USA/Asia very desirable.
• Outstanding, effective problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Proactive, assertive, organised, capable of prioritising workload and able to deliver to given timelines.
• Strong people management skills - ability to lead a management team is a must.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• All-round IT skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the Barbour brand positioning, it's heritage and competitor brands.

Additional Information:

• This role will require a extensive amount of travel both in the UK and Internationally.

Benefits:

• Discretionary Company bonus scheme
• Staff discount
• Staff shop
• Healthcare cash plan
• 25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays
• Free onsite parking
• Subsidised canteen
• Wellbeing support
• Access to training and development activities to support your career development
• Refer a friend bonus scheme
• Reward & Recognition Program
• Length of service rewards

Note: In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.