For the business-critical appointment, the mass recruitment exercise and everything in between, we’re the people the retail sector trusts to deliver the right candidates, every time.
Design and product development roles can be some of the hardest to recruit well.
The right person needs the creative eye, of course. But they also need commercial awareness, pace, resilience, supplier understanding and the ability to work closely with buying, merchandising, technical, marketing and leadership teams.
A strong portfolio matters. So does the person behind it.
That is why a good shortlist needs more than similar job titles. It needs people who understand your customer, your product handwriting, your brand position and the way your business works.
From high street fashion and premium lifestyle brands to sportswear, outdoor, home, beauty and consumer goods, Zachary Daniels helps businesses find people who can make a genuine product impact.
If you work in design or product development, your next move needs to give you the right platform.
That might mean more creative ownership. A stronger brand. Better progression. A broader product area. A business with pace, ambition and the kind of culture where your ideas can actually go somewhere.
Your portfolio tells part of the story. Your taste, judgement, communication style and commercial thinking tell the rest.
Zachary Daniels takes the time to understand what you do, what you want next and where your skills are likely to make the biggest difference.
So whether you are actively looking or quietly open to the right opportunity, the conversation starts properly.
Every recruiter says they understand retail and consumer brands. Zachary Daniels has built its reputation in them.
Our teams work with businesses across the UK and internationally, supporting appointments across head office, product, commercial and leadership functions. That gives us a clear view of what brands need, what candidates want and how the market is moving.
Some of the clients we’ve partnered with:
Design and product development recruitment is not just about finding someone with the right category experience.
It is about understanding the product, the pace, the customer and the culture. A designer in one business can be working in a completely different way to a designer with the same title somewhere else. The same is true for product developers, garment technologists, sourcing specialists and product managers.
That detail matters.
It helps shape the search, qualify the shortlist and make sure the people you meet are right for the role in practice, not just on paper.
The best people in design and product development are often already busy, settled and making an impact where they are.
They may not be applying for roles. They may not even be thinking about a move. But the right opportunity, presented in the right way, can still start a conversation.
That is where market knowledge, relationships and a proper understanding of motivation make the difference.
Hiring for design and product development can take time, especially when the role needs a careful balance of creativity, technical ability and brand fit.
A better shortlist makes the whole process easier.
It means properly briefed candidates, clearer conversations, fewer wasted interviews and a stronger chance of finding someone who can settle in, contribute quickly and stay for the long term.
We’re here to help. That means we fit your established processes rather than the other way around. We take the time to fully understand what you need, then we’ll tailor our service accordingly to make life easier for you.
How do you find the right people when you’ve already run your vacancy across traditional routes and the right people weren’t there? Our recruiters have built the sort of channels and connections you only develop after years of experience in design and product development. That means they can find talent others can’t.
Today (to pick just one of a thousand examples) we received 155 applications for a single Head of Design position. Even if the perfect person for the post is in that 155, without a helping hand you’ll have to assess every application, invite the best for an interview and disappoint 154 people. If you run a small head office team, chances are you’re simply not resourced for that. But we are.
We’ll handle the arrangements with the candidate. We’ll help with negotiations. We’ll make the whole process super-smooth. Then, once in post, we’ll stay in touch with the candidate for a while to ensure they’re happy in their new home.
Design and product development covers a broad mix of creative, technical and commercial roles. We recruit across the full product lifecycle, from concept and design through to development, fit, sourcing and production.
Typical roles include:
“Zachary Daniels was originally recommended to me via a candidate, which in itself is a real positive. Well-connected and respected within the commercial trading retail/wholesale industry, [they] clearly understand client needs and take the time and effort to know what candidates are looking for, which allows for sound judgment calls on the ‘right match’. Clients and candidates are treated with care and professionalism which really sets [ZD] apart.” – Rachael Evans, Senior HRBP & Head of Group Recruitment
“Having worked with Zachary Daniels for several years now I would highly recommend partnering with [them] to anyone in my network. Highly professional, reliable and always going the extra mile!” – Danny Golby, Head of UK Sales, The Hut Group
Find out from the people who’ve already worked with Zachary Daniels – check out our testimonials and find out more about our approach.
We take pride in understanding your business needs through industry knowledge. Whether you need professionals in fashion retail, e-commerce, or traditional store management, our tailored approach ensures that we find the right candidates for your needs.