Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis – we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category

Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK

Location: Hybrid (2-3 days per week in Christchurch, Dorset)

Purpose of Role

The Creative Designer: Reusable Bags is responsible for delivering high-quality, commercially relevant creative development across Solent’s Reusable Bags category, supporting a broad portfolio of UK and international retail customers

This is a hands-on creative role covering the full design journey, from trend and market research through concept development, print and pattern design, customer presentations and production-ready artwork

Working closely with Creative, Product, Commercial and Technical teams, the role is responsible for translating customer briefs, consumer trends and commercial opportunities into compelling reusable bag concepts that are creative, relevant and achievable to manufacture

As a fixed-term maternity cover position, the individual will be expected to quickly develop a strong understanding of the category and confidently take ownership of the day-to-day creative workload across assigned Reusable Bags projects

Role Position Within the Team

This role sits within the wider Creative team and provides dedicated creative support to the Reusable Bags division

The Creative Studio Manager retains responsibility for overall studio management, creative resource and workflow priorities, while the Creative Designer takes ownership of the creative development and delivery of assigned Reusable Bags projects

The role works closely with Product, Commercial and Technical colleagues throughout the development process, ensuring creative thinking is balanced with customer requirements, commercial opportunity and manufacturing considerations

This position requires a high level of independence and ownership but does not carry formal people-management responsibility

Key Responsibilities & Expectations:

Trend, Market & Creative Research

Research and interpret emerging consumer, retail, fashion, lifestyle, print and pattern trends relevant to the Reusable Bags category
Maintain awareness of competitor activity and wider developments within the retail and reusable bag market
Use relevant trend, market and consumer insight to inform creative concepts and range direction
Contribute creative thinking and new ideas that help strengthen the category and identify future opportunities

Creative & Product Development

Develop original 2D product concepts, print, pattern, typography and graphic designs for reusable bag ranges
Translate customer briefs, brand requirements and commercial opportunities into compelling and well-considered creative solutions
Develop multiple creative routes where appropriate and clearly communicate the thinking behind design recommendations
Work within customer, brand and licensing guidelines while maintaining a high standard of creativity and originality
Balance creative ambition with commercial relevance and manufacturing feasibility

Customer & Commercial Support

Create clear and visually engaging presentations for customer meetings, range reviews, new business pitches and internal presentations
Work closely with Product and Commercial teams to develop creative solutions that respond effectively to customer requirements
Attend relevant internal and external meetings and contribute confidently to creative and product discussions
Present creative concepts and design rationale clearly and confidently where required
Respond constructively to customer and stakeholder feedback while maintaining the quality and integrity of the final design

Artwork, Production & Approvals

Progress approved concepts through to accurate production-ready artwork
Apply a strong understanding of print, colour, pattern placement and production requirements throughout the design process
Work collaboratively with Product, Technical, suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure designs can be successfully translated into production
Review samples, proofs and artwork as required and identify potential creative or production issues
Support the product approval process to ensure accurate, consistent and well-designed products are delivered to the required standard
Maintain organised and accurate design files, artwork and associated creative assets

Project & Workflow Management

Take ownership of assigned projects from initial brief through creative development, approval and final artwork delivery
Manage multiple projects and competing deadlines, prioritising workload according to agreed customer and business requirements
Maintain accurate and up-to-date project information within the agreed Creative workflow and project-management systems
Proactively communicate progress, changing priorities, workload pressures and potential delivery risks
Work efficiently and independently while seeking input or escalation where appropriate
Ensure agreed Creative processes and ways of working are consistently followed

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Build strong working relationships across Creative, Product, Commercial, Technical and other relevant teams
Work collaboratively throughout the product development process to resolve creative, technical and commercial challenges
Contribute positively to wider Creative team discussions, inspiration and knowledge sharing
Support a joined-up approach to delivering high-quality products for customers

Sustainability & Innovation

Maintain an active interest in sustainability, materials, manufacturing techniques and innovation relevant to reusable products
Consider environmental impact alongside creative, commercial and manufacturing requirements during product development
Identify opportunities to introduce new creative approaches, techniques or ideas into the category

Key Relationships

Internal: Creative Studio Manager, Head of Marketing & Creative, Creative Team, Product Development, Commercial, Technical, Buying and Supply Chain teams

External: Customers, suppliers, manufacturing partners and licensing partners where required

Skills, Experience & Competencies

Essential

Professional experience within graphic, product, print, pattern, packaging or textile design
Strong portfolio demonstrating excellent print, pattern, colour and composition skills
Advanced working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Experience developing creative work from initial concept through to production-ready artwork
Good understanding of commercial print processes and preparing artwork for manufacture
Strong creative thinking with the ability to interpret briefs and develop considered design solutions
Strong organisational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple live projects
Experience working within brand guidelines and customer requirements
Excellent attention to detail
Strong communication skills and the confidence to explain creative ideas and design rationale

Desirable

Previous experience within reusable bags, textiles, fashion accessories, retail, FMCG or gifting
Experience developing products for major UK or international retailers
Experience working with overseas suppliers or manufacturing partners
Experience working with licensed brands, style guides and licensed assets
Illustration skills
Wider Adobe Creative Suite knowledge
Understanding of textile, bag or associated product manufacturing processes

Ways of Working & Behaviours

Creative, curious and trend-aware
Commercially minded and customer-focused
Proactive and comfortable taking ownership
Collaborative and responsive to feedback
Highly organised with strong prioritisation skills
Detail-oriented and committed to delivering high-quality work
Confident communicating progress, ideas and potential issues
Adaptable and comfortable working within a fast-paced environment
Positive team player who contributes constructively to the wider Creative team

Success in Role Will Be Measured By:

Quality, creativity and commercial relevance of Reusable Bags design output
Effective ownership and timely delivery of assigned creative projects
Accuracy and quality of artwork through development and production
Ability to effectively translate trend, customer and commercial insight into compelling product concepts
Effective management of workload, deadlines and project information
Strength of collaboration and communication across Creative and wider cross-functional teams
Ability to operate independently and reliably within the Reusable Bags category

What we offer:

Competitive salary with annual salary reviews
25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years’ service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
Extensive benefits programme including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits
Flexible hours and work from home available to all staff with an office presence ideally once a week
Great learning and development and progression opportunities
Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets)
Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
Generous Company Sick Pay
Pension Scheme Contribution
Annual social events
Cycle to Work scheme
Free parking on Christchurch Quay

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