Witchery (Footwear & Handbags)

Purpose

This role is responsible for assisting the design, sourcing, and development of the accessories range, in collaboration with the Senior Designer and Buyer.

The Designer - Footwear & Handbags ensures that the collection is innovative, commercially viable, and aligned with the brand's vision and customer expectations. By staying attuned to market trends, materials, and production techniques, this role drives the creation of distinctive, high-quality accessories that meet margin targets and enhance the brand's overall offering.  

**Please note that this is a 12 month FTC**

Key Accountabilities

• Assisting with the design, sourcing, and development of the Footwear & Handbags range, ensuring alignment with the brand vision, option plans, and target price points, in close collaboration with the Senior Designer and Buyer
• Oversee the end-to-end design process, ensuring company timetable deadlines are met, from initial concept development to final product delivery
• Curate seasonal design briefs, selecting key colour palettes, materials, and detailing that reflect current and emerging trends in market
• Stay ahead of industry trends by identifying new materials, styles, and techniques for application in the range
• Ensure that the range is commercially viable, appealing to the target customer while balancing creativity with functionality and wearability
• Prepare and present detailed design briefs, seasonal ranges, and creative concepts in partnership with the wider team. Articulate key trends, product innovations, and design rationale
• Interact with store teams to present the final range, discussing key looks, trends, and how the category aligns with the overall product assortment
• Engage with external stakeholders, including suppliers, manufacturers, and international agents, building strong working relationships to facilitate smooth product development and innovation
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the design and development process is aligned with broader business objectives and approved strategies. Collaborate to implement business initiatives effectively through existing operational frameworks
• Build strong partnerships with the Buying and Merchandise Planning team, ensuring the range is balanced across core, seasonal, and aspirational products, and that it meets the company's financial targets.

Key Capabilities

• Significant experience in a Design role, preferably within the accessories sector, demonstrating the ability to lead the development of commercially successful collections
• Proven track record in building well-rounded ranges that consider core, seasonal, and aspirational product lines, ensuring alignment with brand vision and market demand
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, to deliver collections on time and within budget
• Highly skilled in Adobe Illustrator and other design tools
• Ability to balance creativity with commercial objectives, ensuring that design concepts align with brand strategy and business goals
• Strong understanding of global fashion trends, materials, and innovations in the accessories market
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly convey design concepts and work collaboratively with internal teams and external suppliers

Why work for CRG? 

The Country Road Group is one of Australasia's largest Lifestyle Brand Houses comprising of iconic brands such as Country Road, POLITIX, Trenery, Witchery and MIMCO. Here are some of the great things we offer:

• Generous employee discounts across our House of Brands
• Seasonal clothing allowance
• An additional day of leave for your birthday
• An Industry leading Parental Leave Program
• Flexible working arrangements to support work/life balance
• Annual learning calendar to support the ongoing development of our team
• Support community partnerships across our Corporate Social Responsibility Program
• We are committed to operating ethically, sustainably, and responsibly. 

Part of the Country Road Group, Witchery is an Australian fashion brand, delivering on-trend pieces that capture fashion's latest mood.
 
We're a daily source of inspiration, as we empower today's women to express themselves through our collections wherever their life or ambition may take them.
 
With a heritage of outstanding quality and design, we mix directional must-haves with beautiful basics, then add the finishing touches by way of fashion-forward accessories.
 
We are the Style Authority. We are Witchery.