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Founded in 2004, Rapha exists to inspire the world to live life by bike. We believe that cycling has the power to improve people’s lives but as well as enjoying it for what it is today, we are determined to change cycling and open it up to more people so that they too can discover the joys of riding a bike. 

As we enter our next phase of growth and expand our Lifestyle offering, we are looking for a Senior Apparel Designer. The focus for the role will be to build and define the product direction and design vision for Lifestyle. You will play a key role in influencing our product range, making the Rapha brand and products more relevant to a broader base of consumers, ultimately helping us to achieve our purpose of inspiring a life by bike. 

You will be part of the wider Lifestyle and cross-functional Product team.  A team of agile thinkers and innovators, committed to always inspiring a customer focus into our product creation process. You will work to define, build and lead the best products in the industry for Lifestyle.

The role and your skills

Conceptualise: 

• Taking consideration of a wide range of customers, regions, you will drive the design of new products with love and passion for all ranges, with a range focused, as well as detailed view on design language and fit
• Backing up design decisions with proven insights and keeping commercial targets in mind
• Getting ideas over the line through careful concept building and precise execution
• Create insightful and exciting story-telling concepts across the Lifestyle apparel range

Collaborate: 

• Work alongside Product Engineering to develop the best execution of fit, construction and product development at each stage of the creative prototyping process
• Build and manage the seasonal colour palette for Lifestyle
• Work with the sourcing role to ensure we have the required material toolbox to deliver on the range objectives
• Inspire others through connecting and championing product inside Rapha
• Collaborate alongside the Main range Colour team to align the approach across the business needs for Lifestyle.
• Collaborate with the Product Management and Merchandising to deliver seasonal colour and merchandising assortments that combine Rapha’s creative, logistical and commercial needs

Create:

• Produce innovative, relevant and highly resolved products across a full category collection that propel and establish Rapha into the Lifestyle market
• Create accurate product CAD overviews, Merchandising overviews,  Techpacks, clearly communicate construction, fit, fabric & features across all product types.
• Build insights into future thinking, relevant and compelling products that inspire our global community
• Drive and execute consistency and commerciality of fit, material and trim toolboxes and visual direction for the range. 
• Discover, develop and present compelling concepts with a clear narrative for multiple collections and product categories including market research, customer insights and problem solving for Lifestyle specific apparel 
• Endeavour to always improve the colour assortment, sometimes through incremental improvements, sometimes through daring leaps. Knowing the competitive landscape is a must, understanding where value lies for customer, and where we can improve with pace.
• Work closely with the Head of Apparel Design, the Colour team (both Design + Engineering facing) and the Creative Leadership Team to create a seamless seasonal colour experience across the brand
• Ensure time is well allocated between all ranges in line with the business goals 

Do you have the following? 

• Approximately 8-10 year’s experience in the lifestyle/outdoor industry 
• Clear understanding of Creative Direction approach to CMF.
• Approach all projects with passion, curiosity and tenacity
• Exemplify the Rapha standard for design and storytelling and inspire others to do the same
• Be approachable and collaborate internally and externally to deliver truly excellent work
• Balance commercial imperatives with the need to constantly push the boundaries of design
• Exceptional organisation and communication skills
• Calm under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrate a clear passion and understanding for products and their uses 
• Continuously wanting to improve and create industry leading design
• Endeavour to always improve the product offering, sometimes through incremental improvements, sometimes through great leaps. Knowing the competitive landscape is a must, understanding where value lies for the customer, old and new,  and where we can improve
• Show empathy and support for the team, sharing knowledge and skills with others to provide perspective and become stronger together
• Finish the job done mindset 
• The ability to work under pressure and take on constructive criticism
• Flexibility and enthusiasm 
• The ability to bring your A game and work to strict deadlines
• A proactive approach to problem solving 

Working at Rapha

We are continuously looking into ways to invest in our employees and build a better working culture and environment. Here are just some of the internal benefits we offer. 

• Flexible working hours 
• Support ad-hoc remote working during the week - Minimum 3 days in office
• Free barista coffee and social drinks in the office
• Monthly department social events and quarterly office social away days
• We offer a flexible riding benefit to allow you to go out riding on a Wednesday morning with colleagues or learn to cycle to cycling through our Getting Started Scheme. 
• We offer all our employees a 50% apparel discount and a discount for family and friends 
• An annual clothing allowance 
• Free membership to the Rapha Cycling Club 
• Company Pension Scheme