Creative Designer: Reusable Bags (FTC Maternity Cover)

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