Textile & Design Team Leader: Cube

Our Trend & Design team is looking for Textile & 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
- Presentations / storyboards delivered pre mini-match to key stakeholders so that buying teams are equipped to build balanced assortments on what will be trending in the retail markets
- Provide input into trend and design strategy
- Interpret trend and design and SBU strategy into operational plans
- Deliver operational plans and processes aligned to strategy
- Research, analyse, edit and select key volume drivers based on high level trends as well as international commercial retail trends. Continuously keep abreast of updates to these trends through understanding our customer sales
- Filter, select and translate this information to buying teams to optimize assortments and drive sell-thru across portfolios
- Research and spot newness for testing purposes in collaboration with the Buyer(s)
- Create key seasonal technical drawings on AVA to inform Product Technology and Buyers for tenders and seasonal blocks
- To ensure all Trend & Design processes are implemented, updated and adhered to
- Trend & Design SOPs are implemented, updated and adhered to within the Trend & Design Team
- To 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
- Product is continuously updated/designed based on trend and current trade. Designed product is shared, adapted and utilised throughout the merchandise cycle
- Colaborate with buying team to insure the collection is trend relevant, commercial, strong, cohesive and balanced
- 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
- 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

**Essential**:

- A minimum of 3-5 years retail experience in Design with proven experience in Older Boys & Older Girls product
- Previous experience in supervising and/or managing direct reports

**Qualifications**:

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