The Head of Design is responsible for leading and shaping the creative vision of the brand, ensuring it aligns with the company's strategic objectives and resonates with target customers. This role combines innovative design leadership, strategic planning, and collaboration to deliver commercially successful, trend-driven collections that embody the brand's identity and values. The Head of Design will oversee the end-to-end design process, foster team development, and work cross-functionally to achieve business goals.
APG & Co
A leader in the Australian fashion industry, APG & Co designs and manages Sportscraft, SABA and JAG. For over 50 years, APG & Co. has curated, grown and evolved these brands to be at the forefront of Australian fashion. We celebrate our history while allowing our brands to express themselves in contemporary, relevant and authentic ways.
We have an unwavering commitment to design and quality across all aspects of our business. This commitment, when coupled with our creativity and passion allows us to bring great brands to life in engaging and surprising ways.
APG & Co has over 1000 employees across Australia and New Zealand. This role is based in our beautiful head office in Mascot.
The working environment is dynamic, professional and passionate. The mission: Bringing Style to Life. APG & Co values working as a collective, thriving on change, and playing to win. We are built to last.
The Role
- Leading the creative direction for the brand in all categories within womenswear & providing the direction for the other departments
- Build strong relationships with executive leaders, senior leadership & brand team to ensure a highly collaborative working environment
- Lead and influence the continuous evolution of the brand strategy in your portfolio; informed by trend, customer insights and data and analytics. Co- create delivery plans that improve brand awareness, consideration and conversion driving growth in sales, margin and healthy inventory
- Lead and facilitate ranges that are customer first with appeal and commercial acumen.
- Collaborate with key stakeholders to influence range architecture; creating commercial, customer focused and coordinated product ranges
- Providing direction on new categories working closely with planning on alignment of the future budgets
- Contribute to the design process, from concept inception to finalisation
- Extensive research on market trends national & international both macro & product specific to ensure a cohesive trend direction. Identifying and interpreting in line with the handwriting of the brand
- Clear colour and print direction to be articulated from the extensive research
- Clear colour & print brief for the season that differentiates Sportscraft own print and partnership prints
- Work in collaboration with the buying team to deliver ranges in line with the brand pillars
- Hands on design including fabric selection, fittings, and prototype sampling
- Create technical drawings both by hand and through our design platform CLO for pattern maker and production use
- Work in conjunction with Quality Technicians to ensure product has a high standard of consistent fit and high-quality workmanship
- Fitting experience and a strong understanding of garment construction
- Lead, coach and develop a highly engaged Design team and constantly research & connect with emerging talent
- Ensure a clear process is mapped for the design and product cycle ensuring clear communication and accountability is met at each milestone step
- Conducting product presentations to the business
- Leading brand collaboration partnerships, providing clear vision and direction on relevant collabs
You
- At least 10+ years at a senior leadership level within product/design & trend
- Experience working within a large matrix retail environment desirable
- Experienced people leader of teams larger than 5
- Ability to influence at all levels within a large matric environment
- Commercial acumen and Strategic thinking
- Previous experience in Apparel Design for a large retail business
- Understanding of the customer, market and competitors
- Adaptable and agile to work within cross functional teams and stakeholders
- Good understanding of production process and prioritisation on critical path management
- Garment construction and technical knowledge
- Strong people leader
- Impeccable presenting skills that allow you to take people on the journey as you "go first" with new ideas and emerging trends
- Strong influencing and communication skills with cross-functional teams
- Good mix of creative and commercial thinking, with an ability to consider both aspects in range development
- Strong knowledge of fabric and textiles, garment construction and apparel manufacturing
- Collection conception and presentation
- Meeting design deadlines and adhering to the critical path
- Embraces change and innovation
- Natural curiosity and desire to learn and grow
- A natural leader and collaborator
Where do I sign?
As part of the APG family you'll enjoy plenty of exiting rewards and benefits.
- 50% discount on all brands
- Flexible working - hybrid of work from home and in our beautiful offices
- True work / life balance, including 4pm Friday finish
- Birthday leave
- Culture Club - monthly social events, monthly morning tea and more
- An Employee Assistance Program for you and your family
- Paid Parental Leave
- Recognition and Service awards
- Employee Referral Program
Style your career in a new direction - apply now and join our talented team.
