Lead Textile Designer

Job Title: Head of Department (HOD) Textile Design (Prints)

Purpose of the Job:

The Head of Department (HOD) for Textile Design (Prints) is responsible for overseeing and guiding the design team in creating innovative, high-quality textile prints that align with market trends and brand vision. This role will lead the strategic direction for textile print design, ensuring the development of original artwork and print patterns, from concept through to production, while fostering creativity and driving efficiency across all stages of the design process.

Key Responsibilities:

Process Management:

• Lead and supervise the research of emerging design trends, providing strategic insights to enhance the creative output of the department.
• Oversee the creation of mood boards and design concepts to ensure they align with market trends and customer expectations.
• Direct the creation and execution of textile print designs, ensuring that all designs meet high aesthetic, quality, and production standards.
• Lead the team in designing print layouts, overseeing the transition from creative concepts to production-ready designs.
• Continuously analyze and refine design processes, identifying areas for innovation and improvement.

Team Leadership and People Management:

• Manage the design team, ensuring clear communication, efficient workflows, and fostering a creative and collaborative environment.
• Coordinate with the sampling team to ensure timely production of sampling yardages, meeting deadlines and quality standards.
• Liaise with mills and suppliers to ensure that design requirements are communicated effectively, and that production is carried out according to specifications.
• Mentor junior designers, providing guidance on technical and creative aspects of textile print design, while also encouraging professional growth.

Strategic and Financial Oversight:

• Ensure the design department operates within the allocated budget while maintaining quality and creative excellence.
• Contribute to budget planning, cost management, and optimizing resources across design projects.

Key Behavioral Competencies:

• Essential:
1. Customer Focus: Ability to understand client needs and deliver designs that resonate with target markets.
2. Attention to Detail: Keen eye for detail to ensure all designs are flawless in quality.
3. Innovation: Passion for innovation and staying ahead of market trends to provide fresh and original designs.
• Desirable:
1. Initiative: Proactive approach to identifying design opportunities and improving processes.
2. Results-Oriented: A focus on achieving results and meeting deadlines without compromising on design quality.
3. Collaboration and Teamwork: Strong interpersonal skills to work across teams and with various stakeholders, ensuring smooth operations.

Key Technical Competencies:

• Essential:
1. Adobe Illustrator Expertise: Strong proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and other design software.
2. Printmaking Techniques: In-depth knowledge of digital printmaking and rotary printmaking processes, with the ability to make design choices based on the print method required.
• Desirable:
1. Advanced Problem-Solving: Ability to address complex design challenges, providing creative solutions independently.
2. Strong Conceptual Skills: Ability to translate conceptual ideas into high-quality, production-ready designs.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

1. Efficiently managing multiple design projects in a fast-paced environment, meeting deadlines and quality expectations.
2. Creation of original artwork, prints, and patterns that align with management’s vision and the market’s needs.
3. Successfully leading the design team to produce high-quality prints, while consistently improving workflows and creative output.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Proven experience in textile design, specifically in creating prints and patterns.
• Strong portfolio showcasing a range of original, high-quality textile print designs.
• Proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop, and other relevant design tools.
• Deep understanding of textile printing techniques, including digital and rotary printing.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to inspire and manage a design team.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing project requirements, with a proactive approach to innovation and problem-solving.

Stakeholder Interaction:

• Collaborates with internal teams including sampling, production, and marketing departments.
• Regularly interacts with mills, suppliers, and external partners to ensure seamless communication and execution of design projects.