Through it all, we are measured by the purest of passions, a love of horses. This unspoken bond between human and horse guides everything we do. For over 40 years, this simple truth has been Horseware Ireland’s guiding inspiration. It has helped us to always deliver high performance, beautiful and sustainable products that last.
It was 1985 when Horseware Ireland created our now iconic Rambo Original horse rug, sparking a design revolution that redefined innovation within the equine industry. We forged a path that would grow across geographies, span generations, and make Horseware Ireland the world’s leading equestrian brand in horse rugs and equine products, selling to over 70 countries worldwide, with more than 400 employees.
Today, more than ever, we continue to challenge what is possible and re-imagine new ways of fulfilling our mission to Make Life Better.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are seeking an Innovation Designer to join our Innovation and Product team, with a focus on Equine and Therapies product. This role develops product concepts that translate consumer insight, brand direction, and innovation opportunities into design outputs that can progress through development, sampling, and commercialization.
You will work closely with the Innovation and Product Design Manager, Global Product Manager, Product Technician, Innovation Sourcing and Product Quality Manager, and supplier partners to progress product from concept through to commercial launch.
ROLE PURPOSE
Develop Equine and Therapies product concepts that translate brand direction, consumer insight, and innovation opportunities into defined design outputs for development and commercialization.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Concept Development — Create product concepts for Equine and Therapies, including sketches, design direction, material intent, colour direction, trims, graphics, and product details.
- Innovation Translation — Translate consumer insight, market needs, material opportunities, and technology inputs into product design proposals for the innovation pipeline.
- Brand and Product Language — Apply agreed brand and category design codes across product shape, colour, materials, trims, graphics, labelling, and packaging touchpoints.
- Product Development Support — Partner with the Innovation and Product Design Manager and Global Product Manager to progress approved concepts through development, sample review, approval, and launch readiness against agreed project requirements.
- Technical and Sample Reviews — Work with the Product Technician on tech packs, specifications, fit sessions, sample reviews, trim placement, and design updates.
- Equine Fit and Use Case Input — Apply agreed requirements for equine fit, movement, comfort, product placement, and intended use when developing concepts and reviewing samples.
- Testing and Feedback Inputs — Capture and apply documented feedback from riders, customers, internal teams, suppliers, and agreed equine experts during concept development, sample review, and design refinement.
- Durability and Sustainability Inputs — Incorporate durable construction, materials aligned to agreed product requirements, and agreed sustainability requirements into product design recommendations.
- Safety and Welfare Requirements — Apply agreed product safety, horse welfare, durability, and quality requirements to product details, sample reviews, and design recommendations.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration — Coordinate design inputs with Product, Technical, Sourcing, Quality, PLM/PIM, Packaging, and supplier partners to support delivery against agreed project requirements.
- Market and Consumer Input — Review competitor activity, customer feedback, and category trends, and apply relevant inputs to product concepts and design updates.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
REQUIRED
- 5+ years of Product, textile, technical, or industrial design experience, supported by a portfolio of concept and finished product work.
- Understanding of product development from concept to commercialization.
- Ability to translate consumer, market, brand, and material inputs into product design proposals.
- Working knowledge of Equine and Therapies consumers, product use cases, fit requirements, movement considerations, and category requirements.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
- Ability to manage priorities and communicate required design information across Product, Technical, Sourcing, Quality, Packaging, PLM/PIM, and supplier teams.
PREFERRED
- Experience in equine, animal health, therapies, sporting goods, or adjacent performance product categories.
- Experience with trend, colour, material, finish, graphic, CAD, 3D design, or visualisation tools used to support product concept development and communication.
- Working knowledge of PLM/PIM systems.
Summary of the Benefits:
- Competitive salary commensurate with role and experience.
- Hybrid working
- 25 days basic annual leave pro-rata
- Sick leave entitlement
- Free Onsite Parking
- Company pension scheme
- Healthcare
- Health screening
- Life Assurance
- Learning and Development opportunities
- EAP- Employee Assistance Programme
- Maternity, paternity, and adoptive leave
- Learning, education, and training support
- Discount on Horseware products
Please note that the benefits outlined are subject to change based on organization decision.
Horseware is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, neurodiversity, or any other protected classification by local laws.
Pay: €45,000.00-€60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Bike to work scheme
- Company pension
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Do you have experience using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Experience:
- Product Design: 4 years (required)
Work authorisation:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Dublin Airport, County Dublin
