Our Trend & Design team is looking for Trend & Design Team Leader to implement trend and design processes and procedures through consistent collaboration and alignment to ensure that design and product execution is in support of the Company’s product strategy and in accordance with Ackermans customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Interpret and communicate strategy and operational plans to direct report/teams
• Responsible for ensuring team understanding of and executing the trend and design strategy
• Interpreting relevant trends for specific department (including seasonal themes, colour, print direction, key looks and key items)
• Collaborate with Buyers to provide input into Range Builds 
• Translate the trend seasonal direction into customer appropriate fashion ensuring that key stakeholders in the business have a clear understanding of how to apply the trend to their portfolios
• Collaborate with Buyers on product development
• Draw up product CADS and Tech Packs
• Briefing graphic designers 
• Interpret trend and design and SBU strategy into operational plans
  
• Deliver operational plans and processes aligned to strategy
•  Continuously keep abreast of updates to these trends through understanding our customer sales
• Ensure effective cross-functional collaboration and alignment with Buying and Product Technology departments for effective execution of Company strategy
  
• To represent the Trend & Design team in Merchandise Meetings
• Continuously flag in-season international retail shifts keeping latest Ackermans sales and customer preferences top of mind, highlighting new test and category opportunities.
  
• Team constantly kept informed and participation ensured
• To be responsible for all management reporting and administrative tasks on Trend & Design KPIs 
• Team Management (Talent Management, Performance Management, Talent & Succession Planning, Employee Engagement)

Skills required:

• Sound problem-solving and decision-making skills
  
• The ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, business expectations to relevant stakeholders
  
• Excellent accuracy and attention to detail
  
• Negotiating skills
  
• Decision-making and problem solving skills
  
• Analytical skills
  
• Good interpersonal and relationship-building skills
  
• Sound planning, organising & time management skills
  
• Good conflict management skills
  
• Networking skills & the ability to be resourceful
• Be assertive
  
• Be creative and innovative
  
• Work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
  
• Be self-motivated
  
• Work independently, as well as be a team player
  
• Coaching & mentoring skills

Knowledge of:

• Understanding of the South African retail climate and landscape
• The knowledge on how to stay abreast of emerging macro trends, micro trends and cultural phenomenon and consistently communicate these trends to all levels, both within as well as outside the Company
• Knowledge of the retail merchandise cycle with regards to buying as well as the marketing calendar/ cycle
• Related computer applications

Essential:

• A minimum of 3-5 years retail experience in Design with proven experience in Womenswear products
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite 
• Previous experience in supervising and/or managing direct reports

Qualifications:

• A Grade 12 Certificate/ Matric
• National Diploma or Bachelor Degree in Fashion Design