Senior Designer - Canterbury (on-field)

We’re Pentland Brands: a global family business behind some of the world’s most iconic active and lifestyle brands. We bring integrity, energy and ambition to our work, setting high standards and striving to deliver great outcomes without ego.

Design rugby apparel built for strength, movement and team identity.

At Canterbury, product has to do more than look good. It has to stand up to the intensity of the game, move with the player and carry the pride of the team, from training ground to match day and beyond.

The Senior Designer for On Field & Licensed designs performance-led Canterbury product across rugby, licensed and on-field ranges.

What you’ll be doing:

• Design seasonal on-field, rugby performance and licensed product ranges aligned to Canterbury's brand direction.

• Create concepts, sketches, CADs, colour ideas, graphics direction and product details that support seasonal stories.

• Use athlete, club, consumer, market and competitor insight to inform design decisions.

• Partner with Product Management and Development to ensure designs meet performance, cost, fit, quality and sustainability expectations.

• Prepare accurate design files, specifications, call-outs and PLM information for handover.

• Participate in prototype, fit and sample reviews, refining details so product matches design intent.

• Work with suppliers, sourcing and development teams to resolve design and technical challenges.

• Present design rationale clearly in range reviews and cross-functional meetings.

• Maintain design documentation, colour, material and graphic handovers so Development and Sourcing can progress work accurately and on time.

• Use prototype reviews, fit sessions and sample feedback to refine product detail while protecting the intended design handwriting.

• Create seasonal design concepts, CADs, colour direction and technical design information for the assigned pod.

• Translate athlete, team and consumer needs into functional, brand-right product solutions.

• Work closely with Product Management and Development to resolve fit, construction, cost and quality considerations.

• Present design rationale clearly in seasonal reviews, range meetings and cross-functional forums.

What you’ll bring:

• Strong apparel design experience, ideally in performance sport, rugby, teamwear or licensed product.

• A strong portfolio showing concept development, product detailing and technical understanding.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite; CLO3D and PLM experience are desirable.

• Good understanding of garment construction, fit, materials, trims and performance requirements.

• Ability to translate brand DNA and consumer insight into commercial, brand-right product.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills across design, product and development teams.

• Organised, detail-focused and able to manage multiple seasonal timelines.

• Strong craft, taste level and technical curiosity, with the ability to turn brand DNA and trend insight into practical product solutions.

• Strong portfolio demonstrating performance apparel, teamwear, kit or related product design capability.

Why Canterbury?

Canterbury is the world’s original rugby brand, built on more than a century of sporting heritage, technical product knowledge and deep connection to the game.

Founded in New Zealand in 1904, Canterbury creates performance kit, training apparel, casualwear and fan product for players, teams and supporters who live and breathe rugby. It is a brand shaped by strength, durability and belonging, supporting people on and off the pitch, from grassroots clubs to the highest levels of the sport.

Joining Canterbury means becoming part of a team that cares deeply about rugby product and the people who wear it: how it fits, how it moves, how it performs under pressure, how it represents team identity, and how it brings players, coaches and fans together.

Perks & Benefits

We offer a competitive salary, discretionary bonus, hybrid working, flexible start and finish times, generous holiday allowance, product discounts, sample sales, enhanced family-friendly policies, healthcare support, gym and fitness discounts, cycle to work scheme and electric car scheme.

You can find full details of our benefits and perks on our UK Benefits page.

The Interview Process

We want our interview process to feel clear, straightforward, and supportive. If your experience and expectations look like a strong match for the role, here’s what you can expect next:

1. Talent Team Intro Call - A 30-minute video call with our Talent Team to get to know each other, talk through the role and your experience, and answer any questions you have.

2. Experience Interview - A more in-depth interview (usually online) with the hiring manager to explore your skills, experience and approach, and how these align with the role, our principles, and our ways of working.

3. Final Interview - A final in-person interview at our office, focused on deeper discussion and practical application, giving you the chance to meet more of the team and see Pentland Brands in action.

“This vacancy is a newly created role as part of organisational changes. Final appointment will depend upon the outcome of consultation processes and affected employees will have priority for consideration.”