Assistant Designer (Younger Boys Jersey) - Next Sourcing - 12 Months Fixed Term Contract

Job ID
Job ID 74806
Team
Team Product
Location
Location Leicester
Contract Type
Contract Type Fixed Term Contract
Job Schedule
Job Schedule Full time
Salary
Salary £30,000 to £38,000
Posting Date
Posting Date 10/03/2026
Apply Before
Apply Before 17/03/2026
Person browsing colour thread swatches on a table covered with yarn samples, striped socks, and measuring tape.

Summary

Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.


The Role
As an Assistant Designer for Younger Boys Jersey, you’ll be the creative spark within our In-House Global Supplier, turning street-style trends into the "cool" wardrobe staples our customers love. Working alongside Senior Designers and our global manufacturing partners, you’ll help push the boundaries of our jersey collections, ensuring every piece is as fresh as it is high-quality.

Next Sourcing
We’re so much more than just a British retailer. From Istanbul to Shanghai, our Sourcing teams live and work in some of the most iconic cities in the world.

They're at the heart of finding, developing and delivering the products our customers love, wear and use every day. Located across the globe, our Next Sourcing teams specialise in all different parts of the sourcing operation, from design and technology to product development. If you’ve always wanted to live and work abroad, this is the opportunity you’ve been looking for.

What You’ll Take On

In this role, you are the engine behind our Younger Boys Jersey collections. Your day-to-day will involve:

  • Designing the Full Range: Owning the design process for all Next Sourcing boyswear jersey, with a specialised focus on creating high-quality, trend-led basics.
  • Turning Trends into Reality: Constantly researching global trends and translating them into elevated, wearable products that our customers love.
  • Designing at Pace: Responding quickly to creative briefs and producing high-impact, fast-turnaround designs to keep our collections fresh.
  • Balancing Style and Value: Working smartly within price point guidelines to ensure we never compromise on quality or aesthetic.
  • Collaborating Globally: Partnering daily with Buyers, Sourcing teams, and our Global Suppliers to ensure every garment is delivered on time and to exact specifications.
  • Driving Variety: Supporting everything from exciting project-based "capsule" collections to the essential core lines that form the backbone of the brand.

What You’ll Bring

  • Design Expertise: You have a solid background in Childrenswear Jersey design, ideally gained within a similar-sized retailer or supplier.
  • Technical Fluency: You are a pro at using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to bring your creative visions to life with precision.
  • A Trend-First Mindset: You are genuinely passionate about fashion and always have your finger on the pulse of new opportunities and emerging trends.
  • Collaborative Spirit: You’re a natural communicator who enjoys working with others; experience collaborating with factories, brands, or retailers will be a huge advantage.
  • Commercial Awareness: You understand the balance of design and business, comfortably navigating price points and production specs without losing your creative edge.
  • Resilience & Organisation: You stay grounded and organised during busy periods, handling fast-turnaround briefs with a positive, "can-do" attitude.


A Quick Note: We can’t wait to see your style! Please ensure you attach your digital portfolio to your application, as we won’t be able to consider your journey with us without it.

We are looking for work that is trend-focused, demonstrating your ability to translate high-fashion concepts into commercially successful, elevated designs for the Younger Boys Jersey market.

Sponsorship
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.

#LI-Onsite

Benefits

  • 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
  • Company performance based bonus
  • Sharesave scheme
  • On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
  • 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
  • Early VIP access to sale stock
  • Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
  • Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
  • Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
  • Free on-site parking
  • Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
  • Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
  • Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
  • Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
  • Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more

Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.

We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.

What's Next?

Team Overview

This is where ideas become incredible collections. Designers, Buyers, Merchandisers, and Technologists collaborate to create products our customers love. You'll spot global trends, strategically balance our range plans and meticulously test quality so every season feels fresh, inspiring and exceptional.

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Our brands

You’ve probably heard of NEXT, but did you know about our portfolio? Every brand in our offering brings a distinct story, attitude and community. Spanning contemporary lifestyle brands, established high street names and timeless collections, together they showcase the vibrancy of today’s retail world.

About NEXT

You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!
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Are you ready to take it on?

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