European Trend Specialist - #49327

Haddad Brands Europe, founded in 2017, specializes in the distribution of children’s apparel under exclusive licenses (Nike, Levi’s, Converse, Jordan, Lacoste…) across Europe.

Operational for 8 years, the company has experienced remarkable growth and now counts over 500 employees throughout Europe.

We distribute our products both through wholesale, working with major multi-brand and specialized retailers, and through retail, via our corners in leading department stores.

In concrete terms, this means that if you purchase children’s apparel (0–7 years for Nike, 0–16 years for Levi’s, Converse, and Jordan), whether in a physical store, online, in the Netherlands, the UK, Italy, or anywhere else in Europe, the product you’re holding has gone through us — even if you bought it in an official Nike or Levi’s store!

We are currently looking for an European Trend Specialist in Hilversum.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

EU Market & Trend Intelligence

• Lead ongoing analysis of the European marketplace, including cultural trends, consumer behaviour, competitor strategies, and emerging category opportunities, to ensure seasonal product remains relevant and responsive to market shifts.
• Conduct regular retail and marketplace visits across key European priority markets including the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Scandinavia, maintaining strong connections with key accounts, European vertical brands, and relevant trade fairs.
• Research, purchase, and analyse competitor product samples and data across key classifications including Fleece, Tops, Outerwear, Tees, Pants, Shorts, Dresses, Sets, Socks, Hosiery, Bags, and Headwear — with a focus on fabrics, materials, trims, embellishments, construction techniques, graphics, prints, patterns, colours, and packaging innovations.
• Create and distribute detailed post-marketplace and retail recap reports to teams across New York, Hilversum, and Paris, keeping Design, Sourcing, Merchandising, Sales, and Operations aligned on key insights, competitive opportunities, and emerging trends.
• Function as the internal advocate for European marketplace trends and cultural relevance, ensuring regional insights directly influence seasonal product direction and graphic development.
  
  

US Design Team Liaison & Briefing

• Own the EU seasonal design brief, ensuring inputs are well-referenced and culturally grounded so that seasonal product accurately reflects the European consumer.
• Maintain and enrich trend boards for Nike, Jordan and other active brands with current market references, competitor product, and trend direction, ensuring the US team maintains strong visibility into the European market between trips.
• Develop and continuously improve a briefing toolkit including decks, AI tools, visual references, and competitor analysis, to strengthen EU market knowledge within the global design team.
• Participate in US design reviews and seasonal meetings, representing the EU consumer and flagging gaps or opportunities in the global range in real time.
• Ensure EU market inputs are embedded throughout the design calendar, from initial direction-setting through to final execution.
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Design, Merchandising, Sales, and Product Development teams to ensure alignment across product initiatives.
• Serve as the HBE regional representative by participating in weekly New York design meetings, driving improved communication and transparency, simplifying regional design processes, and accelerating decision-making across key design initiatives for the European marketplace.
  
  

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS :

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Apparel Design, Product Development, Merchandising, or related field.
• Minimum 3 to 4 years’ experience in one or more of the following: product graphic design, apparel design, trend research, design insight, or product merchandising within fashion or sportswear.
• Strong knowledge of the European retail landscape and consumer culture.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to translate market observations into clear and actionable briefs.
• Comfortable operating in a dual-reporting structure across geographies and time zones.
• Proficiency in Miro and modern presentation tools.
• Fluency in English
• Frequent travel to be expected (EU & US).
  
  

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS :

• Start Date: ASAP
• Location: Hilversum (Netherlands)
• Employment Type: Permanent Contract