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 off-field, training and functional fitness ranges aligned to the global design direction.
Translate consumer insight, trend, product strategy and brand handwriting into clear design concepts.
Create CADs, technical details, colour stories and presentation materials for internal reviews.
Work closely with Product Management and Development to ensure designs are feasible, commercial and aligned to quality requirements.
Review prototypes and samples, refining construction, material choices and finishing details.
Maintain accurate design documentation, specifications and PLM information.
Support storytelling and range reviews by presenting design rationale and consumer insight clearly.
Guide design consistency across off-field product so the range feels joined up and distinctly Canterbury.
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 lifestyle, training 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:
Apparel design experience in sport, training, lifestyle, activewear or performance clothing.
Strong understanding of fit, construction, fabrics, trims and garment detailing.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite; CLO3D or similar and PLM experience are desirable.
Ability to balance creative direction with commercial, cost and quality requirements.
Strong visual communication and presentation skills.
Collaborative approach with experience working across Product, Development, Sourcing and Brand teams.
Organised, proactive and comfortable managing several seasonal projects at once.
Strong craft, taste level and technical curiosity, with the ability to turn brand DNA and trend insight into practical product solutions.
Strong portfolio demonstrating lifestyle, training, sportswear 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:
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.
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.
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.”
