We are looking for a Design Lead to join Home and Gift Design in our Support Office on a 12 month maternity cover contract.

As a Home and Gift Design Lead at OB you will you will lead product design and development, creating innovative ranges that bring the OB vision to life.

You will shape fresh design concepts and work with the wider team to execute designs that deliver distinctive, trend-led products and move OB forward as a design-led retailer. Covering home and gift categories including tabletop, textiles, home accessories, furniture, lighting, bath & body, travel accessories and stationery, you will bring strong design judgement, proven team leadership, and confidence with print and colour.

This is a fast-paced, creative role that calls for strong self-awareness, excellent organisation, and the ability to influence and inspire others.

You will collaborate closely with Founder Olly, alongside the design, buying and merchandising teams, to develop ideas and products that are aligned with the brand and customer.

Our Support Office is based in Tolworth, near Chessington, only a 30-minute journey from London Waterloo. We offer hybrid working with a split of 3 days in the office and 2 days home working per week.

A bit about us …

At Oliver Bonas (OB), our values of Work Hard, Play Hard & Be Kind are integral to everything we do. Collaboration, imagination, curiosity, and teamwork are key to our success, and everyone has their part to play in making OB a special place to work.

Having fun is key, and a playful and positive approach creates an optimistic environment. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we are serious about what we do.

Our team knows their stuff. They’re confident and creative and unafraid to challenge convention to find solutions, taking accountability for their actions, but always with kindness and humility.

More about the role …

Collaborate with Olly to ensure the OB vision is translated into design concepts
Drive the design vision and thinking across the Home & Gift department
Identify lifestyle trends and put forward and execute new product opportunities for the brand
Develop a key understanding and affinity with the OB core customer
Collaborate with wider design team to develop and decide on the design concept for the season
Have a visual overview of the whole H&G designs and deliver visually balanced design ranges to keep it evolving
Work closely with our supply base to understand and develop capability
Have extensive product development and technical material knowledge to support design development across the different categories
Communicate with suppliers on design developments, materials and understand value engineering of products
Work with the QA team to understand technical requirements and to ensure they are met at the design stage
Coordinate and communicate seasonal design concept and trends with the buying team and the wider design team to ensure all products attain OB taste level
Develop relationships with suppliers, supporting them in developing and delivering new materials for the story and seasonal looks
Carry out product development, tradeshow trips as well as attending inspirational trips
Build ranges and developing collections collaboratively with the Buying team, ensuring the range is balanced and commercial, while maintaining new experimental designs within the collection
Attend and present design concept at sign off with Olly and the Buying and Merchandising teams
Manage the design critical path management for the design team
Ensure the OB brand values are reflected in all areas of work from design development to production
Inspire and work collaboratively with Creative Art Director, Marketing and Web teams to ensure a clear and authentic design message and vision are translated and communicated
Work with the Buying team to ensure the balance between creativity and commerciality
Collaborate with the Buying team to focus research on specific categories for seasonal needs
Lead, manage and develop the H&G Design team
Travel as needed to factories, trade shows, inspirational trips domestically and internationally
Present to all Store Managers on product launch days
Manage budgets and projects effectively and communicates effectively

Bonas Benefits:

Generous employee discount up to 50% off all OB products
Free access to our 24 hour employee assistance programme with Optima Health – offering financial, emotional and vocational support
Flexible holiday - 33 days (including bank holidays) – increasing to 35 days with length of service
Annual discretionary profit related bonus scheme
Free membership for our Westfield Health Cash Plan or Private Medical
Auto-enrolment into our pension plan
Free access to our onsite gym
Cycle to work scheme
Refer a Friend incentive
Quarterly free lunch
Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Voice network and EDI team
Mental Health First Aider support
Education and support through 360L eLearning platform

What we look for:

Strong team management experience within a creative environment is essential
A design degree background preferable
A proven track record in home and gift design
Extensive design and development knowledge across the H&G categories
Knowledge in development & manufacturing process
Must exhibit strong communication and interpersonal skills
Flexible approach and ability to prioritise projects and handle multiple tasks and manage time effectively to meet deadlines
Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships and communicate effectively with internal and external partners
Strong attention to detail and organisational skills
Proactive, vibrant and ready to take on take on anything
Strong drawing skills
A professional attitude towards carrying out your duties and responsibilities and be courteous to colleagues, customers and visitors alike
A genuine passion for Retail and Design

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at OB

At Oliver Bonas, our promise is to do our bit to make living a joyful experience and give cause for optimism. This promise is central to our work in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). To bring joy to others, we must first ensure everyone at OB feels valued, included and most importantly, can be themselves at work.

It is important to us that our brand reflects wider society and the communities in which we operate. As a result, we welcome all eligible applicants for this role however we are particularly interested in speaking to eligible candidates from the Black, Asian & Mixed Heritage communities.

Oliver Bonas is a Disability Confident Committed employer under the Disability Confident employer scheme.

To read more about our ED&I commitments, head over to the EDI page on our website: https://www.oliverbonas.com/meet-the-team/diversity

Home and Gift Design Lead (12 month maternity cover contract)