Senior Graphic Designer - Factorie Global Support Centre
π Job Overview
Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer - Factorie Global Support Centre
Company: Cotton On Group
Location: Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Job Type: Full time
Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Retail Operations
Date Posted: 2026-09-02
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)
Remote Status: On-site
π Role Summary
-
This role is pivotal in driving the visual identity and product design for Factorie's Girls and Guys apparel categories, focusing on translating fashion trends into commercially viable graphic and textile designs.
-
You will be responsible for leading and mentoring a design team, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment to ensure the delivery of high-quality, brand-aligned creative output.
-
The position requires a strong understanding of textile print design, particularly yardage, and the ability to work closely with trend forecasting to ensure designs are current and appealing to the target youth demographic.
-
This role involves significant stakeholder management, requiring clear communication and interpretation of briefs to deliver design solutions that meet business objectives and deadlines.
π Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Graphic Designer," the core responsibilities heavily lean into textile print design and trend interpretation within the fashion retail sector. The role also includes team leadership, suggesting a need for strong project management and people management skills in addition to creative expertise. The emphasis on "merchandise" and "product development" indicates a direct link to revenue generation through design.
π Primary Responsibilities
-
Develop and execute compelling graphic designs and textile prints for Factorie's Girls and Guys apparel, directly influencing product appeal and sales performance.
-
Collaborate closely with the Trend team to research, identify, and interpret global fashion trends, translating them into innovative and commercially viable design concepts for yardage and graphic applications.
-
Lead, mentor, and coach a team of graphic and textile designers, fostering a creative and productive work environment that encourages skill development and high-quality output.
-
Interpret design briefs and stakeholder feedback to deliver design solutions that align with Factorie's brand DNA, target demographic (16-24 youth street brand), and commercial objectives.
-
Manage the end-to-end design process for assigned categories, ensuring timely delivery of assets and prints that meet quality standards and production deadlines.
-
Liaise effectively with internal stakeholders (e.g., merchandising, product development) and external suppliers to ensure seamless execution of design concepts.
-
Champion the Factorie brand aesthetic, ensuring all creative output is authentic, edgy, and reflects a confident attitude, resonating with the brand's purpose of empowering youth self-expression.
-
Proactively identify opportunities for design innovation and process improvement within the creative workflow, contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the design function.
π Enhancement Note: The description emphasizes "delivering on products that our customers love" and "commercially-driven design solutions," directly linking design output to revenue. The need to "work alongside our Trend team to deliver on worldwide fashion trends" highlights a proactive, market-responsive approach crucial for GTM operations.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Textiles, or a closely related creative field.
Experience: Demonstrated experience in a similar Senior Graphic Designer role, with a strong portfolio showcasing expertise in apparel graphic design and textile print development, preferably within the youth fashion or retail sector.
Required Skills:
-
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) for design creation and manipulation.
-
Expertise in textile print design, with a proven ability to create compelling yardage patterns and graphic applications for apparel.
-
Strong understanding of current youth fashion trends, street style, and cultural influences relevant to the 16-24 demographic.
-
Proven ability to interpret design briefs, translate creative concepts into commercially viable designs, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
-
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated experience in liaising effectively with stakeholders, suppliers, and team members.
-
Experience in leading and coaching a design team, fostering a collaborative and productive creative environment.
-
Strong planning, organizational, and time management skills, with a proven ability to meet deadlines and manage project workflows.
-
Demonstrated problem-solving abilities and initiative in driving design solutions and process improvements.
-
Proficiency in MS Excel for data management and reporting related to design projects. Preferred Skills:
-
Experience in a fast-paced retail or apparel environment.
-
Familiarity with trend forecasting tools and methodologies.
-
Understanding of garment construction and manufacturing processes relevant to print placement.
-
Experience with digital design tools and platforms.
π Enhancement Note: The requirement for "Demonstrated experience in a similar Senior Graphic Designer role" implies a need for candidates with a solid track record of successful design projects and potentially leadership experience, aligning with a mid-to-senior level position. The emphasis on "yardage" and "textile prints" indicates a specialization within graphic design relevant to apparel production.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
-
A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of graphic design and textile print work, with a strong emphasis on apparel applications for a youth demographic.
-
Case studies demonstrating the process from brief interpretation to final design execution, highlighting how designs align with brand DNA and commercial objectives.
-
Examples of yardage designs, demonstrating understanding of repeat patterns, colorways, and suitability for different fabric types.
-
Evidence of successful stakeholder collaboration, showing how feedback was incorporated and design solutions were refined.
-
Visualizations of designs on mock-ups or final products to illustrate their commercial application and impact. Process Documentation:
-
Samples or descriptions of how you have documented design processes, from initial concept ideation to final asset delivery.
-
Examples of workflow management for design projects, detailing how tasks were prioritized, managed, and tracked to meet deadlines.
-
Documentation of how you have collaborated with trend forecasting and merchandising teams to integrate market insights into the design process.
-
Evidence of process improvement initiatives led or contributed to, aimed at enhancing design efficiency, quality, or brand consistency.
π Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on translating trends into commercial products and leading a team, a portfolio demonstrating not just creative output but also process, problem-solving, and collaborative impact will be highly valued. The "Senior" title suggests a need to showcase strategic thinking and process ownership.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Graphic Designers with 5-10 years of experience in a major Australian city like Geelong, and considering the full-time nature of the role and comprehensive benefits package, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between AUD $90,000 - $120,000 per annum.
Benefits:
-
Competitive salary package.
-
Flexible working options and people-first leave initiatives, offering work-life balance.
-
Access to a world-class Support Centre featuring an in-house restaurant and state-of-the-art wellness centre with a free gym and holistic health services.
-
Subsidised onsite childcare centre, providing valuable support for working parents.
-
Significant employee discount of 50% across all Cotton On Group brands (Cotton On, Cotton On Body, Cotton On Kids, Rubi Shoes, Typo, Factorie, Supre).
-
Comprehensive 24/7 Wellness support, covering mental health, relationships, and family matters.
-
Opportunities for local and global career growth within the Cotton On Group.
-
Discounts for employees and their families on medical services, travel, financial services, and more.
-
Performance and Peak incentives to reward and recognize outstanding contributions.
-
Returnity program: A paid program for new parents returning to work, supporting a smooth transition.
-
Pet-friendly workplace: Ability to bring your dog to work.
-
Regular recognition and team connection moments to foster a positive workplace culture.
Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, likely around 38-40 hours per week, with potential for flexible working options as indicated in the benefits.
π Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimation based on typical Senior Graphic Designer compensation in Australia for the specified experience level and location. The extensive list of benefits suggests a strong emphasis on employee well-being, work-life balance, and professional development, which are attractive perks for operations and creative professionals.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Fashion Retail / Apparel Manufacturing. Cotton On Group operates within the fast-paced global fashion retail sector, known for its accessible youth-oriented brands.
Company Size: Cotton On Group is a large, global organization with over 20,000 team members across 22 countries and 1,500 stores. This indicates a robust operational infrastructure and opportunities for scale.
Founded: Cotton On was founded in Australia, establishing a strong domestic presence before expanding internationally. This heritage likely influences its culture with a blend of entrepreneurial spirit and established corporate structure.
Team Structure:
-
The role is part of the Factorie brand's creative team, specifically within the Girls and Guys category.
-
The Senior Graphic Designer will lead and coach a team of designers, indicating a hierarchical structure within the creative department.
-
This team will likely collaborate closely with other departments such as Merchandising, Product Development, and Trend Forecasting, forming a cross-functional GTM (Go-To-Market) unit.
-
Reporting is expected to be to a Creative Director or Head of Design within the Factorie brand. Methodology:
-
Data-Driven Design: The emphasis on translating "worldwide fashion trends" and creating "commercially-driven design solutions" suggests a data-informed approach, utilizing market insights and trend analysis.
-
Collaborative Workflow: The need to "collaborate with key stakeholders" and "work alongside our Trend team" points to a highly collaborative design process, integrating feedback and market intelligence.
-
Brand-Centric Execution: Designs must "align with our brand DNA" and reflect "authentic edge and confident attitude," indicating a strong focus on maintaining brand consistency and identity across all creative outputs.
-
Agile Development: The expectation to "deliver on expectations and deadlines" implies an agile approach to design and product development, common in the fast-paced fashion industry.
Company Website: https://cottonongroup.com.au/
π Enhancement Note: Cotton On Group's "purpose is to make a positive difference in peopleβs lives" and "delivering Good along the way" suggests a strong corporate social responsibility ethos, which can influence team values and operational decision-making. The company's global reach and multi-brand portfolio offer significant opportunities for cross-brand learning and career advancement.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Senior to Senior level within the creative and design operations of the apparel industry. It requires not only strong individual creative contribution but also the ability to lead and develop a team, manage complex projects, and contribute strategically to product development and brand positioning.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will report into a higher-level design or creative management position within the Factorie brand. They will, in turn, manage and mentor junior designers, forming a key leadership node within the design function. This structure facilitates the cascade of strategic direction and ensures operational execution.
Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the commercial success of Factorie's Girls and Guys categories. By creating designs that resonate with the target youth market and align with current trends, they drive product desirability, customer engagement, and ultimately, revenue. Effective trend interpretation and design execution are critical components of the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy for apparel.
Growth Opportunities:
-
Leadership Development: Opportunity to hone team leadership and coaching skills, potentially progressing to a Design Manager or Creative Director role within Factorie or other Cotton On Group brands.
-
Specialization & Expansion: Deepen expertise in textile print design, yardage development, and trend forecasting, or expand into broader creative direction roles across different product categories or brands within the group.
-
Global Mobility: As part of a global retailer, there may be opportunities for international assignments or collaborations, gaining exposure to diverse markets and design approaches.
-
Cross-Functional Exposure: Potential to move into roles within merchandising, product development, or marketing that leverage design thinking and creative strategy.
π Enhancement Note: The "Local & Global career growth" benefit directly supports the growth analysis, indicating the company's commitment to employee development within its expansive international structure. The role's blend of creative execution and team leadership prepares individuals for broader operational and management responsibilities.
π Work Environment
Office Type: The role is based at Cotton On Group's "world-class Support Centre" in Geelong, Victoria. This implies a modern, well-equipped corporate office environment designed for collaboration and employee well-being.
Office Location(s): The primary location is Geelong, Victoria, Australia. The company also operates globally, but this specific role is tied to the Australian Support Centre.
Workspace Context:
-
Collaborative Hub: The Support Centre is described as a hub for creativity and collaboration, with facilities like an in-house restaurant and state-of-the-art wellness centre fostering interaction.
-
Creative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace that supports design professionals, likely equipped with the necessary software and hardware (Adobe Creative Suite, high-performance computers).
-
Team Interaction: The role involves working closely with a design team and other cross-functional departments, suggesting an open and interactive office layout conducive to communication and feedback.
-
Brand Immersion: Being part of the Factorie team means being immersed in a brand culture that celebrates youth, fashion, music, sports, and art.
Work Schedule: While the role is full-time, the mention of "Flexible working options & people-first leave initiatives" suggests a degree of flexibility in work hours and scheduling, accommodating the demands of a creative role while prioritizing employee well-being. Standard working hours are likely around 38-40 per week.
π Enhancement Note: The "Bring your dog to work" benefit highlights a unique aspect of the company culture, contributing to a relaxed and employee-centric atmosphere within the Support Centre. This environment is designed to foster creativity and a strong sense of community among its workforce.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
-
Initial Screening: Application review focusing on resume, cover letter, and portfolio highlights.
-
Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, detailing their creative process, problem-solving approaches, and how their designs have achieved commercial success and aligned with brand objectives. This may involve a specific case study presentation.
-
Technical Assessment: Potential for a design challenge or task to assess proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, textile print design skills, and ability to interpret a brief under timed conditions.
-
Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with hiring managers, potential team members, and cross-functional collaborators (e.g., from merchandising or product development) to assess technical skills, cultural fit, and collaborative capabilities.
-
Leadership/Coaching Discussion: Evaluation of experience in leading and mentoring design teams, problem-solving, and driving results.
Portfolio Review Tips:
-
Showcase Relevance: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature apparel graphic design and textile print work, especially for youth fashion. Highlight yardage designs and their application.
-
Process Over Product: For each project, detail your thought process: how you interpreted the brief, researched trends, brainstormed ideas, collaborated with stakeholders, and overcame challenges.
-
Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the commercial success or brand alignment of your designs. Examples: "Design contributed to a X% increase in category sales," or "Successfully translated brand DNA into a new print collection."
-
Tailor to Factorie: Research Factorie's brand aesthetic, target audience, and recent collections. Highlight projects that align with their "authentic edge and confident attitude."
-
Highlight Leadership: Include examples of team leadership, mentorship, or process improvement initiatives if applicable.
Challenge Preparation:
-
Trend Analysis Practice: Familiarize yourself with current and upcoming youth fashion trends and be prepared to discuss how you would translate them into designs for Factorie.
-
Adobe Suite Proficiency: Ensure you are comfortable and efficient with Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for rapid design execution.
-
Brief Interpretation: Practice dissecting briefs, identifying key requirements, and outlining a design strategy quickly.
-
Communication Clarity: Be ready to articulate your design decisions clearly and concisely, explaining the rationale behind your creative choices.
π Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "commercially-driven design solutions" and "delivering on products that our customers love" means interviewers will look for a blend of creative flair and business acumen. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how their designs contribute to sales and brand growth.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
-
Adobe Illustrator: Essential for vector graphics, logo design, and intricate pattern creation for textile prints.
-
Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for image manipulation, raster graphics, color correction, and preparing artwork for printing.
-
Adobe InDesign: Useful for layout design, creating mood boards, presentations, and potentially lookbooks or line sheets.
-
MS Excel: For managing design assets, tracking project status, organizing color palettes, and potentially analyzing sales data related to designs.
Analytics & Reporting:
-
While not explicitly stated for this design role, understanding how to interpret basic sales data or trend reports (potentially provided by the Trend team) would be beneficial. Proficiency in using internal reporting dashboards for project tracking might also be required. CRM & Automation:
-
Not directly applicable to the core design function, but awareness of how design assets integrate into broader CRM or Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems could be a plus.
π Enhancement Note: The core technology stack is heavily focused on the Adobe Creative Suite, which is standard for graphic and textile designers. Proficiency in these tools, particularly Illustrator and Photoshop for print design, is non-negotiable. The mention of MS Excel suggests a need for basic data organization skills beyond pure creative software.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
-
Authenticity & Edge: Embodying "authentic edge and confident attitude" in designs and daily work, reflecting Factorie's youth-focused brand identity.
-
Customer-Centricity: Creating products that "our customers love," with a deep understanding of the 16-24 demographic's preferences and cultural landscape.
-
Collaboration & Connection: Fostering "real connection" and working collaboratively across teams to deliver cohesive product lines.
-
Innovation & Expression: Empowering self-expression through fashion, encouraging creative experimentation and new design approaches.
-
Impact & Purpose: Contributing to Cotton On Group's purpose of making a positive difference, with an understanding that design plays a role in delivering "Good."
Collaboration Style:
-
Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with Merchandising, Product Development, and Trend Forecasting to ensure designs are commercially viable, on-trend, and align with brand strategy.
-
Team-Oriented: Leading and mentoring a design team, promoting knowledge sharing and collective problem-solving.
-
Feedback-Driven: Open to constructive criticism and able to incorporate feedback from various stakeholders to refine designs.
-
Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication with internal teams and external suppliers to ensure smooth project execution.
π Enhancement Note: The company's stated purpose, "to make a positive difference in peopleβs lives," and its emphasis on "youth supporting youth" suggest a culture that values social impact, community, and genuine connection, which will likely permeate team interactions and operational priorities.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
-
Pace of Fashion: Keeping up with rapidly changing youth fashion trends and translating them into relevant designs under tight deadlines.
-
Balancing Creativity and Commerciality: Ensuring designs are both innovative and appealing to the target market while meeting commercial viability and production constraints.
-
Brand Consistency: Maintaining Factorie's distinct "authentic edge and confident attitude" across a diverse range of products and collections.
-
Team Leadership: Effectively leading, motivating, and developing a team of designers, managing diverse creative styles and skill levels.
-
Stakeholder Management: Navigating differing opinions and requirements from various departments (merchandising, marketing, etc.) to achieve design consensus.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
-
Trend Forecasting Mastery: Deepening expertise in identifying and interpreting emerging trends through collaboration with the Trend team and potentially industry resources.
-
Textile Print Innovation: Exploring new techniques, technologies, and sustainable practices in textile design.
-
Leadership Skills Enhancement: Developing advanced people management, coaching, and strategic planning capabilities through direct team leadership and potential company training programs.
-
Cross-Brand Exposure: Gaining insights into design and operations across other Cotton On Group brands, fostering a broader understanding of the retail landscape.
-
Global Design Perspectives: Opportunities to collaborate on international projects or initiatives, broadening design horizons.
π Enhancement Note: The role offers a significant opportunity to grow within a structured GTM environment, moving from execution to strategic influence and team leadership. The challenges are inherent to the dynamic fashion industry and require adaptability and strong problem-solving skills.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
-
"How do you approach translating broad fashion trends into specific, commercially viable designs for a youth-focused brand like Factorie?" (Focus on your trend analysis process, market research, and design ideation.)
-
"Describe a time you had to balance conflicting feedback from different stakeholders on a design project. How did you navigate this and reach a successful outcome?" (Highlight your stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills.)
-
"Walk us through your process for developing a new textile print collection, from initial concept to final print-ready artwork." (Detail your technical steps, creative thinking, and quality control measures.) Company & Culture Questions:
-
"What appeals to you about Factorie's brand identity and target customer? How would you ensure your designs authentically represent this?" (Show you've researched the brand and understand its DNA.)
-
"How would you foster a collaborative and innovative environment within your design team, and what is your approach to coaching junior designers?" (Demonstrate your leadership and team-building philosophy.)
-
"Cotton On Group aims to make a positive difference. How do you see your role as a Senior Graphic Designer contributing to this purpose?" (Connect your work to the company's broader mission.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
-
Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the process, the challenges, and the outcome (quantify if possible).
-
Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your presentation showcases your proficiency in Adobe Suite, textile print design (yardage is key), trend interpretation, and stakeholder collaboration.
-
Showcase Brand Alignment: Select projects that demonstrate your ability to adapt your style to different brand aesthetics, particularly those relevant to youth culture and street style.
-
Be Ready for Technical Questions: Prepare to discuss the technical aspects of your designs, such as color separations, file formats, and print limitations.
-
Enthusiasm and Passion: Convey your passion for design, fashion, and the Factorie brand.
π Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for candidates who can demonstrate a strong understanding of the commercial aspects of design within the fashion retail context, not just creative talent. Be prepared to discuss sales impact, brand alignment, and operational efficiency in your design process.
π Application Steps
To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:
-
Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud portal link.
-
Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in apparel graphic design, textile print development (especially yardage), team leadership, and proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and MS Excel. Use keywords from the job description.
-
Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest, most relevant work showcasing your ability to translate trends into commercially successful designs for a youth demographic. Ensure it includes textile prints and highlights your process. Prepare a presentation that clearly articulates your design journey and impact.
-
Research Factorie & Cotton On Group: Understand their brand DNA, target audience, recent collections, and company values. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and style align with their aesthetic and mission.
-
Prepare for a Design Challenge: Anticipate a practical design task that assesses your technical skills, creativity, and ability to work under pressure.
β οΈ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates must hold a relevant degree in Graphic Design or Textiles and possess demonstrated experience in a senior design role. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and strong interpersonal skills for stakeholder liaison are essential.