Menswear Design Lead, ASOS Design

The Design Lead plays a critical role in strategically driving the success of multiple departments through effective trend building, strategic planning and range building. Working collaboratively with leaders across Merchandising, Buying, Sourcing, Technical, Global Commerce and Marketing, they are responsible for leading teams to achieve directional & commercially successful outcomes for the departments and wider business.

You will lead the product strategy for multiple departments, managing a team of Designers and working collaboratively with the wider Retail team to deliver a commercial and trend-led range that is loved by the MW ASOS Design customer, globally.
You will be collaborative, organised, and strategic with your finger on the pulse of fashion - always looking to push the range for our global markets forward.

Contribute to design direction and ensure that product design is aligned to the strategic vision & focused on delivering a compelling and commercial offer appropriate for our target customer. The Design Lead will contribute to MW ASOS Design success and growth by managing & developing a highly creative design team.
What you'll be doing:
Supporting the Design Director to contribute to the product and design vision for MW ASOS Design
Work collaboratively with colleagues across Menswear product departments including Leads and Heads of category, Buying, Merchandising and Technical management team to create the range
Overseeing range development, ensuring that the product reflects the Brand strategy, the range is without gaps or duplication, and that the season is logically and commercially thought through.
Shaping a strategy for the departments you are responsible for that is aligned to the wider Commercial and MW ASOS strategy, understanding how the range sits within the overall ASOS portfolio
Work collaboratively with other functions to deliver the MW ASOS strategy
Drive and embed a best-in-class proactive Team, which supports the delivery of MW ASOS Design Brand of the Future
Management of the MW ASOS Design teams
Identifying new product opportunities as they emerge in the market and actioning those in the range in a commercial manner
Manage the process of creating a balanced range, developing Big deals, key seasonal shapes, trends and items for the MW ASOS Design customer
Collaborate across departments and functions of the business including Marketing, to ensure the design vision is communicated clearly
Work collaboratively with WW colleagues across Design & Heads of Category management team when required to share processes and trend information
Shaping the product direction of multiple departments and strategy with key partners
Operating as a senior manager within the Commercial division, working in close partnership with ASOS Design Leads & Heads of category and the wider Retail team to deliver profitable departments, irrespective of market conditions and shifting trends
Anticipating the needs of the customer, using sales data, customer profile analytics and trend information to deliver commercial product ranges and shape the future of the division
Working with leaders in the Global team to understand global planning and trading strategy for departments, identifying new moments and opportunities to support global requirements
Building and leveraging relationships with a network of appropriate internal teams to drive evolution within the strategy
Shaping and driving lean, agile processes and ways of working for departments
Maintains and instils in the departments a strong understanding of global competitors' product offer to pivot team activity and manage risks, as required
Analysing trading patterns, advising teams and ensuring appropriate action is taken to unforeseen sales reactions.
Working with Merchandising & Buying Leads to ensure that product reviews are held at the appropriate time for product sign-off.
Guiding team on range building, taking into account Options, ALB strategy and global requirements
Maintaining a clear understanding of brand purpose and Fashion with Integrity and ensuring these principles are fully embedded within the team
Leading and driving business wide initiatives and projects, positively influencing and championing change
Agreeing styling and visual merchandising guidelines with Studios
Leading and building a strong team with a focus on growing future talent
Providing clear direction and development to the team, identifying individual training needs and encouraging collaborative ways of working
Motivating and engaging the team through recognition and regular feedback
 

We'd love to meet, someone who:
Proven MW experience is a requirement
Shows strong awareness of current trends, Retail market conditions and opportunities within a Global context
Has a proven track record in Design within a fast-paced and rapidly changing global Retailer
Demonstrates the ability to drive the success of multiple departments through strategic and commercial thinking
Can successfully influence and gain buy in from the team and leaders to potentialize opportunities
Embraces and champions the benefits of change within the wider team while we continue to embark on our AI journey
Presents performance and strategy to the team and management with an engaging and confident style
Shows a deep understanding of the ASOS customer and customer segmentation and reflects this in decision making
Demonstrates a commercial and analytical mindset, using data and insights to leverage opportunities that successfully contribute to the department and wider ASOS strategy
Uses relevant market insights to aid decision making and achieve the best outcome for the business
Has a strong awareness of current trends, Retail market conditions and opportunities within a Global context
Builds great relationships with internal stakeholders Exec level and other functions
Has an effective and inclusive management style, role modelling positive behaviours and providing the team with clear direction and development
Shows a deep understanding of the ASOS customer and customer segmentation and reflects this in decision making

What’s in it for you? 
Employee discount (hello ASOS discount!) 

ASOS Develops (personal development opportunities across the business) 

Employee sample sales  

Access to a huge range of LinkedIn learning materials 

25 days paid annual leave + an extra day for your birthday 

Discretionary performance related bonus scheme  

Private medical care scheme 

Flexible benefits allowance - which you can choose to take as extra cash, or use towards other benefits 

We're ASOS. We blend our flair for fashion with our love of cutting- edge technology, but more importantly were interested in how we can bring the best out of you. 
We exist to give people the confidence to be whoever they want to be, and that goes for our people too. At ASOS, you're free to be your true self without judgment, and channel your creativity into a platform used by millions.  
Through our  Fashion with Integrity strategy  we are driving diversity, equity and inclusion across every aspect of ASOS and ensuring every ASOSer can be their authentic self at work.  We want our people to be whoever they want to be, because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work.