Role Overview

Panaz is one of the world’s leading suppliers of high-performance contract fabrics, known for innovation, design excellence, and sustainability, with over 40 years of sector expertise.

We are seeking a Head of Design to partner with the Design Director in developing and delivering contract textile collections for global hospitality, healthcare, cruise and commercial markets.

This hands-on role will suit an experienced textile designer skilled across woven, vinyl, dyed and printed fabrics, leading CAD-based development, working directly with our international manufacturing partners in Europe, China and Turkey.

The role is ideal for a designer who wants to stay close to product creation while driving design delivery and innovation as part of a collaborative team. Working closely with the Design Director, the Head of Design will provide day-to-day design leadership, manage a Senior Designer and Specialist Print Designer, and travel with or deputises for the Design Director when required.

If you thrive in a busy setting and want to develop your career in a progressive company, we encourage you to apply through our careers website at https://careers.panazcareers.com/.

Why Panaz? – Culture, Benefits & Growth

We’re proud to offer a supportive, inclusive workplace where people thrive. Here’s what you can expect:

· 💰 Salary – competitive salary

· ⏰ Working hours - 37.5 hours per week

· 🌴 33 days holiday – Including bank holidays and paid Christmas closure

· 🤝 Inclusive team culture – Accessible facilities, team events, and volunteering opportunities

· 📚 Training & development – Ongoing support for career progression

· 🛡️ Company sick pay – After 1 year of service

Key Responsibilities

Design & Product Development to Launch:

· From initial concept through to final production, translate design briefs into commercially viable, specification-ready fabrics across woven, vinyl, dyed and printed textile collections.

· Contribute to overall design direction, ensuring cohesive collection stories, compelling colour palettes and appropriate material choices.

· Able to manage multiple design projects simultaneously with attention to detail and support the Design Director in managing design workload, priorities and critical path timelines to meet collection launch dates.

· Represent the Design team in cross-functional meetings.

Woven Textile Manufacturing & Supplier Liaison:

· Communicate directly with international weaving mills and fabric manufacturers, clearly briefing them on design requirements – including woven layouts and structures, yarn specifications, colours, repeats, and performance standards.

· Review and approve development samples (strike-offs, lab dips, trial weaves), providing feedback to achieve the desired result.

· Maintain strong supplier relationships, balancing creative intent with practical manufacturability, cost targets and lead-time constraints.

Digital Design & CAD Systems:

· Produce high-quality CAD designs, visual layouts and presentation boards for design reviews, customer meetings and product launches.

· Utilise design software (e.g. Photoshop) with proficiency in managing pattern repeats, colour separations, colour matching, and use of a digital colour library.

· Maintain well-organised design files and development records, ensuring all artwork and specifications are accurately documented through each stage of the development process.

Who We’re Looking For – Personal Attributes:

Creatively and Commercially Balanced:

· Passionate about design and innovation, but also pragmatic and commercial – you understand manufacturing realities, cost constraints and performance standards, and can balance creative vision with practical considerations. You are highly organised and self-motivated to keep work on track.

Strong Communicator and Technically Confident:

· Able to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders – from suppliers and manufacturers to sales colleagues and customers. Knowledge of woven textiles and fabric construction, and comfortable communicating technical details. You can pivot to design Printed textiles and see CAD and digital tools as essential to the design process (not just add-ons) and use them fluently to achieve outstanding results.

Collaborative Partner:

· A genuine team player who thrives in a collaborative, senior design partnership. You enjoy sharing ideas, giving and receiving feedback, and working closely with experienced colleagues. You are also confident supporting, guiding and coordinating designers, fostering a positive, high-performing team environment while remaining hands-on and collaborative.

Adaptable & Curious:

· Open to travel, new experiences and learning. You stay on top of trends in design, colour and materials, and you’re eager to deliver against creative briefs across both product development and photography.

What This Role Offers:

· A senior role within an established, design-led textile manufacturer, where design is central to the company’s identity and success.

· Close collaboration with the Design Director on both creative and strategic projects, gaining insight and contributing at a high level.

· Significant exposure to global markets, suppliers and customers, including opportunities for international travel and building a worldwide professional network.

· The chance to directly influence and shape future collections – your ideas will translate into real products in the market, across diverse and high-profile interiors projects.

If you're passionate about design and want to stay close to product creation while driving design delivery and innovation as part of a collaborative team, we invite you to apply via our official careers website.

Recruitment Fraud Alert

· We never request payments or sensitive personal information at any stage of the recruitment process. All official job opportunities are advertised on our careers platform. https://careers.panazcareers.com/

· If you encounter any suspicious activity or communications, please contact our HR team for verification and report the incident to the relevant authorities. We prioritise the safety and integrity of all applicants.