Requirements
The role requires a creative eye for denim, proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, and a strong understanding of garment construction and wash processes. Candidates must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing design trackers and samples.
Job Description
Working Pattern: 5 days a week onsite, with core hours flexible between 8am to 6pm.
The Role
As an Assistant Womenswear Designer specialising in Denim at Next Sourcing, you will play a key supporting role in shaping the visual, technical, and aesthetic identity of our upcoming denim collections. You will make a direct difference by turning emerging global trends into commercial, elevated denim products that resonate deeply with the Next customer and land on the high street.
Working alongside our Designers and collaborating closely with in-house buying, sourcing, and supplier teams, you will help turn emerging global trends into commercial, elevated products that resonate deeply with the Next customer.
Next Sourcing is at the heart of finding, developing, and delivering the products our customers love, wear, and use every day. Located across the globe, our Next Sourcing teams specialise in all different parts of the sourcing operation, from design and technology to product development.
What You’ll Take On
- Designing the hype: Assist in shaping trend-driven womenswear denim collections.
- Fabric & wash lab: Help develop standout washes, textures, and trims.
- Bringing concepts to life: Build sleek mood boards, tech packs and presentations.
- Trend spotting: Keep your finger on the pulse of what’s next and push creative boundaries.
- Keeping the wheels turning: Handle day-to-day design admin so the studio stays sharp, organised, and moving fast.
- Industry Travel: Travel to supplier visits, fabric mills, wash houses, and trend research trips as required to source inspiration and build relationships with manufacturing partners.
What You’ll Bring
- Denim-obsessed: A sharp creative eye and a genuine passion for all things denim.
- Software-savvy: Quick with Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop (bonus points if you love experimenting with AI design tools!).
- In the know: Chronically online in the best way—fluent in TikTok trends, creator culture, and micro-aesthetics.
- Tech-aware: Good basic understanding of garment construction, fit, and wash processes.
- A design admin pro: Highly organised, detail-oriented, and confident keeping samples, specs, and trackers running seamlessly.
- A team player: Positive energy, hungry to learn, and ready to jump in where needed.
Portfolios
To help us get a feel for your style, please attach a digital portfolio to your application. We are looking for work that demonstrates a sharp eye for the future of Denim, how your ideas can be commercially viable for NEXT, and showcases your direct design and CAD work. To help you put your best foot forward, we’ve put together a few top tips on what makes a portfolio stand out to our team.
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: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.
At NEXT, we believe the best work happens when there are no barriers to collaboration. That’s why we are a Google-powered workspace. From your very first day, you’ll be using the full Google Workspace suite; Docs, Drive, and Meet, to stay connected and move fast.
If your previous experience is rooted in other software suites, don’t worry! We’ll point you to a digital Google toolkit the moment you join, packed with handy guides and insider tips to help you transition smoothly and hit the ground running.
#LI-Onsite
You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 44,000 people across the Next group. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 450 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 80 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!
- 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
- Company performance based bonus
- Sharesave scheme
- On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
- 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
- Early VIP access to sale stock
- Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
- Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
- Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
- Free on-site parking
- Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
- Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
- Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
- Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
- Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more