Senior Assistant Womenswear Designer - Woven Bottoms

Summary

Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.

The Role

As a Senior Assistant Designer for Womenswear Woven Bottoms, you'll be at the heart of creating versatile wardrobe staples our customers love. From sharp, tailored trousers and trendy PU winter staples to breezy summer linens and chic pleated skirts, you will help shape a department that spans every season and occasion. You'll work closely with our Designers, Buyers, Merchandisers and Technologists to turn creative concepts into commercially successful products. Whether you're developing the perfect chino, a high-fashion coord, or a classic wool flannel trouser, your eye for detail will ensure we stay ahead of the trends while maintaining the Next standard of quality.

What You'll Take On

• Drive Trend Research: Assist in identifying global shifts in silhouettes, fabrications, and washes, ensuring our woven bottoms remain at the forefront of the market.
• Execute Technical CADs: Produce high-quality, detailed 2D CADs and comprehensive technical packs, specifying everything from stitch detailing to hardware and fastenings.
• Maintain Design Agility: Move quickly from initial sketch to production-ready design, ensuring our range reacts to the latest street style and catwalk influences.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner daily with Buying and Merchandising to ensure your designs meet commercial price points and align with the broader seasonal vision.
• Global Development: Participate in inspirational trend trips to global fashion capitals and visit international suppliers to oversee the production process and refine garment construction.
• Sample Management: Manage the end-to-end sampling process, reviewing prototypes for fit, aesthetic, and fabric performance to ensure the final product exceeds customer expectations.

What You'll Bring

• Design Expertise: A deep understanding of womenswear garment construction and a specific experience in woven fabrics.
• Commercial Instinct: The ability to spot a trend and adapt it into a "must-have" product that resonates with the Next customer.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop are essential for creating our industry-leading technical drawings.
• Organisational Strength: A proven ability to manage a busy workload, hitting deadlines across multiple product categories without losing your eye for detail.
• A Collaborative Mindset: Strong communication skills and a positive attitude when working within a high-energy, multi-functional team.

Portfolios

To help us get a feel for your style, please attach a digital portfolio. We are looking for work that demonstrates a sharp eye for the future of Womenswear Woven Bottoms, showcasing how your designs are commercially viable for Next while highlighting your technical CAD skills and forward thinking design eye! Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.

Sponsorship

Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information, please see .

Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Profit-related bonus - based on company performance
• Private health insurance - surgery choices
• Sharesave scheme - make savings from your net pay to buy NEXT shares at a discount
• Pension - fixed contribution rates from both an employer and employee perspective, but you're also able to make additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) if you wish to save more.
• 25% staff discount on most NEXT products - plus discount on other products
• Wagestream - helping you make the most out of your money
• Salary finance - offers access to affordable loans repaid through salary, simple savings and free financial education.
• Life assurance
• Direct to work - NEXT orders delivered free to the office for collection
• VIP sale - early access to the NEXT sale
• Access to NEXT staff shops
• Octopus energy - like cycle-to-work, but for electric vehicles
• Free parking (excluding London locations)
• Travel2NEXT - bus services dependent on location
• On site dining facilities (excluding London locations)
• National and local discounts on goods and services - this includes things like discounted cinema tickets
• Wellhub - includes access to discounted gym membership
• Simply health - a healthcare subscription service
• Aviva Digicare Workplace+ healthcare service - 7 Free services including Digital GP appointments and an annual health check.
• Onsite GP - Leicester Head Office
• Onsite Physio - Leicester Head Office
• A range of dedicated 3rd party wellbeing partners
• Free eye testing - voucher to use at specific locations