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 Colour Designer shapes Canterbury's seasonal colour identity and supports the consistent application of colour across product ranges.
What you’ll be doing:
Create seasonal colour palettes, mood boards and product colourways for Canterbury ranges.
Monitor colour trends, market activity and consumer shifts to inform colour decisions.
Ensure colour consistency across fabrics, trims, graphics and product categories.
Partner with designers and development teams to translate concepts into production-ready colourways.
Work with suppliers to manage colour approvals, lab dips, prototypes and issue resolution.
Support merchandising and marketing teams with colour storytelling and product imagery needs.
Consider durability, wash performance, sustainability and quality when making colour recommendations.
Maintain accurate colour documentation and support PLM data where required.
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.
Develop seasonal colour palettes, colourways and colour narratives that support brand and product stories.
Monitor colour, consumer and competitor trends to inform commercially relevant colour decisions.
Partner with Design, Materials and Development to manage colour feasibility, consistency and approvals.
Maintain accurate colour information across design files, PLM and seasonal documentation.
What you’ll bring:
Experience in colour design, textile design, trend forecasting or product colour application.
Strong knowledge of colour theory, fabric behaviour and finishing techniques.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite; CLO3D or PLM experience is desirable.
Ability to translate trends into commercially successful colour palettes.
Excellent attention to detail and a strong eye for consistency and quality.
Strong communication skills and confidence working across design, development and supplier teams.
Interest in sustainability and responsible colour / finishing approaches.
Strong craft, taste level and technical curiosity, with the ability to turn brand DNA and trend insight into practical product solutions.
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.
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.”
Skills Required
- Experience in colour design, textile design, trend forecasting or product colour application.
- Strong knowledge of colour theory, fabric behaviour and finishing techniques.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.
- CLO3D or PLM experience.
- Ability to translate trends into commercially successful colour palettes.
- Excellent attention to detail and a strong eye for consistency and quality.
- Strong communication skills and confidence working across design, development and supplier teams.
- Interest in sustainability and responsible colour/finishing approaches.
- Strong craft, taste level and technical curiosity to turn brand DNA and trend insight into product solutions.
What We Do
Pentland Brands is a global brand-management company behind sports, outdoor and lifestyle labels including Speedo, Berghaus, Canterbury of New Zealand, Endura, ellesse, Mitre, KangaROOS, Red or Dead and Kickers. It owns several brands and licenses Kickers in the UK, distributing products directly or through licensees and distributors across more than 190 countries. Its mission is to pioneer brands that make life better.
