Fashion Accessories: Senior Trend and Innovation Manager or Lead

Concept 4 is a key player in design, product development and sourcing of fashion, beauty & home accessories and packaging. The group is made of 130+ staff worldwide including 60+ in Hong Kong, where we work in a fast paced and friendly environment, with a spacious and bright office overlooking.  A bright location at Wong Chuk Hang with MTR close access.

We are currently seeking a highly motivated individual to join our Creative Team as a Senior Trend and Innovation Manager.

Role:

The Trend & Innovation managers play a pivotal role in driving innovation, product development, and both existing and new client engagement within a fast-paced environment. The role involved researching trends, building seasonal collections and developing products aligned with strict pricing and client briefs. The manager collaborates closely with designers, sales, clients, factories, merchandising and quality teams to bring concepts to life

Responsibilities:

• Research and analyse trends & innovation.
• Create and deliver trend presentations, macro, seasonal and in answer to client briefs.
• Lead T&I managers and juniors in trend research and application.
• Build up collections and seasonal items to meet strict pricing guidelines.
• Attend & prepare for clients’ meetings
• Sample management.
• Follow client’s briefs to develop products directly with factories & work on initial pricing.
• Support in management of 4 Trend & Innovation managers, and senior trend & Innovation managers during periods when the director is not in HK (around 50% of the year).
• Manage showroom set up.
• Work closely with design leads.
• Work on creation of sales content.
• Manage the transfer of trend and product information to marketing team.
• Frequent travel to China needed for sample development in factories.
• Source new factories & attend fairs where relevant.
• Work as a team with merchandisers from concept to prototype approval.
• Provide clear direction and inspiration to the design team on daily basis.
• Work with quality teams throughout the development process.

Requirements

• University graduate preferably in fashion management / business or design related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in a design, research, product development, sourcing or trend related role.
• Experience within fashion or beauty is essential with a focus on trend and product.
• Experienced in working with factories in China and an understanding of manufacturing processes.
• Good understanding of European or US markets.
• Strong European or US market knowledge.
• Awareness and knowledge on sustainable innovations (material, certificates, regulations).
• Creative and innovative mindset, whilst being aware of market pricing & production constraints.
• Strong awareness of trends & how to research them; confident to present both trends & products to customers.
• Deep knowledge of how to research, use trend websites, create trends and translate them into real collections.
• Awareness & knowledge of brands and influencers.

Necessary skills & attributes:

• Creative and trend driven.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Articulate – able to discuss products and present trends internally and externally.
• Digital skills: PPT / Canva / Excel / AI prompting are a must.
• Well organized and detailed minded whilst able to multi-task
• Able to meet strict deadlines in a fast paced and dynamic environment.
• Able to handle a fast paced, environment whilst multi-tasking.
• Mature, responsible, and independent, with a strong team spirit.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken is a must.
• Spoken Mandarin is a plus.

“Concept 4 Ltd is committed to the full utilization of all human resources and to a policy of equal employment opportunity. Concept 4 Ltd will not discriminate against applicants on any legally recognized basis including, but not limited to status, race, color, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or age.”

Employment Type: Full time, Permanent

Benefits: Competitive Salary, Discretionary bonus, Double pay, 5 days work, 12-19 days annual leave, Bank holiday, Medical benefit, Flexible working hour, Work from home benefit

All qualified applicants, including different race, religion and gender are encouraged to apply.

Interested parties, please send your resume with expected salary to (hr@
concept4.net) or by clicking the Apply Now