OUR PLACEMENTS

Placement summary

Eclipse Blind Systems is a leading supplier of hardware products, textiles and manufacturing equipment to the window coverings industry, with an established reputation for product innovation. We are currently recruiting for a graduate to participate on a 12 month project which will focus on the developing our Point of Sale (POS) marketing capabilities, ensuring our product range is appropriately marketed, taking advantage of online sales opportunities in particular. This will ideally suit a graduate with a marketing background but with a keen interest in textiles. The placement will be based at our head office in Inchinnan, Renfrewshire.

Job description

Project Description

As an established fabric producer and supplier to both the UK and Worldwide export market for Window Blind materials, there is a continuing need for us to maintain existing sales, defend our current position within the UK Market, grow sales in an environment of increasing competition and where possible, capture new markets and business. Over the past 12 months, we have launched 3 new product collections in to the trade market. This was almost entirely based on the method of marketing the product via the ‘traditional’ collection book method. This project will help us identify new and contemporary marketing and point of sale techniques and materials which will inspire our trade customers and consumers alike. If successful, this could help us to increase sales over the coming 5 years and beyond and will assist us in continuing to be seen as an innovator within the sector and maintain a credible position with customers, old and new.

Placement Objectives

You will be tasked with helping us to enhance our product Point Of Sale capability and will deploy your recently acquired marketing skills to ensure that we are maximising our reach when it comes to new and existing customers.

Role Description

Main Tasks:

• Conduct competitor research and analysis on window blinds market
• Conduct Eclipse customer research on the effectiveness of current Point of Sale (POS) and marketing support materials in presenting and selling products
• Assist in the preparation of new designs for the production and print of materials
• Generate draft copy for use in customised 'literature', in line with agreed brief and parameters
• Assist in developing bespoke customer projects
• Participate in product development meetings
• Assist in the presentation of textile designs and prints for consideration at development meetings
• Maintain a register of both Eclipse and competitor fabrics and POS materials
• Maintain relevant records of all projects in an organised and functional manner
• Assist with the preparation of print specifications and quotations
• Provide editorial for trade magazines
• Assist in maintaining social media content
• Assist with E-shot preparation and distribution
• Assist in providing content as required for company websites
• Assist the Brand Manager as required

Qualifications

A degree in marketing and/or textiles would be ideal for the role

Skills / Experience

Essential Skills

• Creative thinking skills
• Aware of current marketing techniques, both traditional and digital
• Commercially aware
• Excellent task management skills
• Outstanding personal management skills
• Experience of working on projects
• Great communicator, both verbal and written
• Report writing skills

Desirable Skills

• Appreciation for what is required to succeed in a role like this

Benefits

Company benefits

• 25 days holiday per annum plus 8 statutory holidays
• Heavily subsidised canteen facilities on site
• Company pension scheme

Placement benefits

As part of the ScotGrad Graduate Placement Programme, the successful candidate will be allocated a space on a 3-day business and employability skills residential course, and also benefit from ongoing support from the ScotGrad team throughout the duration of the placement.

Additional information

Location: Inchinnan, Renfrewshire

Planned interview date: TBC

Preferred start date: 27th June 2016

Company information

Eclipse Blinds is a medium sized business specialising in the supply of quality fabrics, slat and systems to the UK window blinds industry. Eclipse has been operating for over 40 years with a staff of 170 based at Inchinnan near Glasgow. Eclipse occupies an impressive 14 acre site which comprises offices, design and development, finishing plant, warehousing and distribution.

Eclipse Blinds are a £20 million turnover division of Hunter Douglas. Eclipse operates from a 150,000 square foot facility just outside Glasgow. Hunter Douglas is the world leader in window blind coverings and a major manufacturer of architectural products. Worldwide, Hunter Douglas has 17,000 employees operating 160 companies in 100 countries with a turnover of $2.4 billion.

Company sector: Textiles

Company website: www.eclipseblinds.co.uk