The Opportunity
It’s an exciting time at Antler; we’ve reimagined our 110-year-old brand and are growing globally, making our ambitions a reality as we continue to build momentum.
As the Product Design Lead you’ll be at the forefront of our product development, shaping the future of our iconic travel lifestyle products – not just in suitcases. This is a dynamic, fast-paced role requiring creative excellence, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration. You will lead multiple design projects, from concept to production, ensuring our products meet the highest standards of innovation, sustainability, aesthetics, and functionality.
We’re a global company and we have two product hubs in London and Sydney, so this role requires flexibility to collaborate across multiple time zones.
Day to Day Responsibilities
We’re fast-paced and opportunistic, meaning we’re agile and comfortable in an entrepreneurial setting, where no two days are ever the same. But these are the things that will be core to your role and will keep you busy.
Design Leadership:
* Lead the end-to-end design process for new product design, from concept ideation to final production.
* Champion creative innovation while ensuring alignment with brand identity and market trends.
* Develop and present compelling design concepts, sketches, and prototypes to stakeholders.
Project Management:
* Manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing creativity with efficiency in a fast-paced environment.
* Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including product development, engineering, and marketing, to deliver projects on time and within budget.
* Oversee the creation of detailed technical specifications for manufacturing partners.
Global Collaboration:
* Work closely with teams and suppliers across Australia, Asia, and the US, adapting to time zone differences as needed.
* Build strong relationships with international manufacturing partners to ensure design integrity and quality.
* Travel to suppliers in Asia maybe required once or twice a year.
Market and Trend Analysis:
* Stay ahead of industry trends, consumer needs, and competitor products to inform design strategy.
* Conduct regular research to ensure our products remain innovative and desirable in a competitive market.
Team development:
* Mentor and inspire junior designers, fostering a culture of creativity and excellence.
* Promote continuous improvement in design processes and tools.
The Company
* Antler is the British travel lifestyle brand. With a new leadership team, we have an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to the way we operate.
* Established in 1914, we have a rich heritage - one that is respected and celebrated.
* Since ATR Brands acquired Antler in 2020, we’ve achieved a lot. We’ve reimagined the brand, invested in the team and are continuing to develop great products.
* Whilst our studio is growing quickly, we are still a tight knit team of multidisciplinary designers and developers. We all bring something unique and are united in the common aspiration of being better than average; we have a will-do attitude where nothing is impossible.
Requirements
The Requirements
It’s all about compatibility. These are the things you’ll need to thrive in the role at Antler.
* Industrial Design Expertise: You’ve got 8+ years under your belt in industrial design, ideally working with consumer products and mass production processes.
* Creative Vision: Your portfolio speaks for itself – it’s packed with innovative, user-focussed designs
* Technical skills: You’re a pro with 3D CAD (parametric software preferred) rendering tools (KeyShot), and Adobe Creative Suite.
* Project Management: You know how to juggle multiple projects and keep everything running smoothly.
* Factory Know-How: You’ve worked directly with factories and understand how to translate design into production.
* Material & Processes: You love exploring new materials, processes, and technologies to push the boundaries of design.
* People-First Design: You always put the user experience front and center.
* Strategic Flair: You apply a strategic approach to colour, materials and finish application.
* Disruptive Energy: You’re not afraid to challenge the status quo and think outside the box.
* Flexibility: You’re comfortable working across time zones and happy to adapt when things get busy.
Benefits
The Perks
Aside from the role, the people and our big ambitions, here are some of the other things that make Antler a great place to work.
* Lifestyle: 33 days annual leave inclusive of Bank Holidays.
* Lifestyle: Hybrid approach – typical office days are Monday, Tuesday & Thursday.
* Health: Health cash plan provided by Medicash.
* Wealth: Pension + pension advice, life insurance and discretionary company bonus.
* Family: Enhanced family leave for both primary and secondary careers.
* Benefits: Antler allowance and 40% discount, Charlie HR perks and cashback, Hoxton discounts through ‘Working From’ membership.