Design Lead

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Our client is a well-established fashion and apparel manufacturing company with a strong reputation in the Nigerian market. Known for its premium-quality clothing and strong retail presence, the company operates across both high-end and large-scale production lines, offering stylish, functional garments for a broad range of consumer and corporate needs. With a focus on innovation, craftsmanship, and operational excellence, the company continues to lead the industry with inspiring design and brand-led growth.

JOB SUMMARY

This role is ideal for a highly creative and strategic fashion design professional who thrives in a leadership position. As the Design Lead , you will be responsible for setting the creative tone for collections, managing the design process end-to-end, and overseeing a team of designers and technical staff. You’ll work closely with the Creative Director to interpret brand vision into trend-aligned and commercially viable collections while ensuring the designs are production-ready and meet quality benchmarks.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with the Creative Director to define seasonal design themes and translate them into actionable creative briefs.

• Plan, conceptualize, and develop fashion collections that align with global trends and brand positioning.

• Lead and mentor a team of designers, technical designers, and pattern makers, ensuring continuous professional development.

• Supervise sketch creation, tech pack development, and selection of fabrics and trims to maintain product consistency.

• Oversee fittings, sampling, and design approvals, ensuring collections meet technical and aesthetic standards.

• Coordinate closely with production and merchandising teams to ensure design feasibility and cost-effective execution.

• Troubleshoot design and technical issues during development and production phases.

• Conduct regular competitor analysis, trend forecasting, and consumer research to inform design direction.

• Implement feedback and quality assurance processes to enhance product integrity and performance.

• Foster a creative and collaborative design culture that prioritizes innovation and excellence.
  

Requirements

WHAT TO HAVE

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Textile Design, or a related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the fashion industry, with at least 2 years in a design leadership or supervisory role.

• A strong portfolio that showcases both creative direction and commercially successful designs.

• Proficiency in fashion design tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and CLO 3D or similar 3D prototyping software.

• Solid knowledge of garment construction, fabrics, and product development.

• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple timelines and cross-functional teams.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to give and receive creative feedback.

• A deep understanding of current fashion trends, seasonal market shifts, and consumer behavior.
  

Benefits

• Financial Incentives:   Competitive salaries, performance-based bonuses, referral bonuses for new customers and employees.
  

• Work-Life Balance & Flexibility:   Generous paid time off, paid parental leave, flexible work arrangements where possible.
  

• Professional Development & Growth:   Monthly workshops on the latest fashion trends, quarterly leadership development sessions, opportunities to attend industry conferences, clear career progression plans with defined promotion pathways.
  

• Health & Wellness Benefits: H ealth insurance coverage, mental health support programs, employee wellness initiatives.
  

• Employee Engagement & Culture:   Fun workplace environment with seasonal team events and celebrations, annual company retreats or team-building outings, employee recognition programs with awards for outstanding contributions, opportunities to participate in community and charity events related to children's welfare.
  

• Exclusive Perks for Parents & Kids:   Priority access to limited edition products for employees, bring-your-child-to-work days, discounts on children's products.