Design Manager - Childrenswear

Brighter Futures Start Here

We are an inclusive team who power two of the most iconic and loved brands, Kmart and Target. We have more than 50,000 passionate individuals across our stores, distribution centres, and offices around the globe.

With our brands touching the lives of almost two million customers every week, you’ll feel the impact of the work you’ll do every day. As a leader in the retail market, we’re optimistic about our future and yours. We’re changing at a rapid rate, giving you challenging work that you’ll be proud of.

We’re excited to share that our team will be moving to our new Chadstone office in early 2026!
This will be a space that brings us together — inspiring creativity, collaboration, and connection as we embark on this exciting new chapter.

Join the team

We have an exciting opportunity for an innovative, passionate and talented Design Manager to join our iconic business to lead our talented Kidswear design team! You love guiding and mentoring a team, customers are always front of mind and building and managing relationships with a variety of key stakeholders is one of your strengths.

This is such a great opportunity to shape and design desirable and on-trend product that really has impact.

What you will be doing

This is a pivotal role in elevating and shaping the design trend direction and driving the success of our business. Our Design Manager in partnership with our Buyers, Planners and global sourcing team are critical to delivering our business strategy and success. 

Reporting to the Head of Design, Trend and Forecasting, you will be responsible for managing and leading a team of designers and graphic designers to set, lead and coordinate category design direction and will also be responsible for identifying, interpreting and implementing global and market trends to grow sales. This role will also require you to utilise your strategic leadership skills to drive positive range outcomes that will deliver on-trend kidswear product to our customers.

If you’re passionate about kidswear, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and are ready to lead with bold ideas and strategic vision, this is your opportunity to take the reins and shape what’s next and lead the Future of Kidswear Design at an Iconic Brand.

        
Some of the key responsibilities are:
            

• Develop and inspire a high-performance design team and culture.
• Help drive continuous improvement throughout the design function.
• Set up and drive a successful partnership with the wider merchandise teams to develop new products and ranges.
• Set, lead and co-ordinate the product vision trends across Apparel.
• Develop in collaboration with Merchandise teams new products/ranges of merchandise to satisfy customer needs in line with Kmarts strategy. 
• Guide the Senior Designers to deep dive into cohesive trend steers. 
• Visually articulate and effectively communicate the trend direction for the season to add value through design and sales.
• Deliver to timeframes and adhere to the critical path and production processes
• Strong experience within Design and Forecasting
• Proven experience in developing co-ordinated ranges as well as forecast and implement commercial trends
• Strong leadership and values that assists in making the Design function a great place to work and grow together
• Excellent ability to influence and collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills 
• Experience within Kidswear would be highly advantageous 

To be successful in this role you will have:

• A minimum of around 10+ years’ experience in Design and Forecasting.            
• Deep experience in developing and co-ordinated ranges.            
• Experience in leading high performing design teams.            
• A sound background in the end-to-end design process.
• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator CS and Adobe Photoshop CS   
• Tertiary or equivalent level qualification in fashion design or related field. 
• Exceptional management and influencing skills. 
• Proven experience in a similar role within the fashion industry, with a focus on large-scale, big-box retail.
• Strong understanding of trend forecasting and market analysis. 

 
If you are a seasoned design professional with a passion for fashion and a track record of success in large-scale retail, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your resume and attach a copy of your portfolio of works.  

Benefits we’ll offer you:

• Flexible hybrid working options through our Flex Where, Flex When, Flex Well policy.  
• A team member discount card that gives you a discount at Kmart, Target, Officeworks and Bunnings 
• Access to the Kmart for You benefits program which entitles you to exclusive discounts and benefits in the areas of entertainment, travel, lifestyle, and health – with over 60 suppliers!  
• We want you to feel rewarded for your commitment and hard work that's why eligible team members get the opportunity to participate in a bonus program 
• We offer inclusive parental leave, and ongoing support offered though our partnership with Circle In for team members of all backgrounds and family circumstances  
• A dynamic learning and support program 
• Opportunity to fast track your career through our Mentor Program as a Mentee or Mentor 
• A Kudos recognition program, where you are nominated by your peers to spin a wheel, to win a stack of cool prizes 
• Great career opportunities across the broader Wesfarmers Group 

We celebrate the rich diversity of the communities in which we operate. We are committed to creating inclusive and safe environments where all our team members can contribute and succeed. We believe that all team members should feel valued, respected and safe, and strive to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and welcoming, with applications encouraged from all candidates.

We encourage you to tell us about any workplace adjustments that you would like, by emailing kmartgroupcareers@kmart.com.au.

If you would like to explore a career with Kmart and this sounds like the perfect role for you – apply now!

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