■Recruitment Background:
Under the slogan “YOUR FREEDOM: The freedom to reinvent yourself,” GU offers fashion that everyone can enjoy, leveraging its strengths in trends, price, and speed.
In 2026, Francesco Risso—who has earned global acclaim—will assume the role of Creative Director at GU. Building on the manufacturing foundation GU has cultivated, the brand is stepping into its next phase, driven by a clearer creative vision and the development of high-quality products.
Even amidst prerequisites such as mass-producibility, reproducibility, and value for money, there is a greater demand than ever for planning, development, and design capabilities that view these constraints not as limitations but as new challenges, and successfully bring products to market.
Within the R&D organization, you will work closely with related departments such as Merchandising, Production, and Material Development. Building on a deep understanding of pricing, costs, and production contexts, you will be responsible for enhancing product quality without compromising the creative vision.

■ Department Overview:
GU’s R&D Department is a product development organization dedicated to bringing the brand message “YOUR FREEDOM” to life through our products. It comprises designers and patternmakers from all departments selling at GU—including Men’s, Women’s, Kids, and Merchandise—who work tirelessly every day to deliver fashion that all customers can enjoy worldwide.
We handle everything from market and trend research to material selection, specification design, and product development with an eye toward mass production. While prioritizing price, quality, and speed, we deliver products that balance fashion and practicality to customers around the world.

■Job Description:
You will be responsible for designing merchandise. Specifically, this includes the following:　
・New Product Development and Proposals:
Through global market research and trend analysis, you will plan merchandise (shoes, bags, hats, accessories, etc.) based on the "YOUR FREEDOM" concept and translate these ideas into designs.
・Presentations at Product Meetings:
We hold product meetings twice a year—for SS (Spring/Summer) and FW (Fall/Winter)—to decide which items to produce, in what colors, materials, and silhouettes, in what quantities, and how to market them. You will present your product proposals during these meetings.Additionally, through discussions with leaders from various internal departments worldwide—including MD, VMD, Product Planning, MK, and global country managers—you will participate in developing product strategies and sales plans that encompass the entire process from product development to delivery to customers.
・Management of the Product Development Process:
We expect you to lead the entire process from brainstorming ideas to product commercialization. As needed, you will visit partner material and sewing factories to ensure high-quality manufacturing.

・The Job Description may change within the scope of duties related to various headquarters departments due to department transfers or organizational changes.

■ Career Path
To realize GU’s “YOUR FREEDOM: The freedom to reinvent yourself,” proposing total coordination—including accessories (shoes, bags, hats, jewelry, etc.)—plays a crucial role. Depending on your aspirations and aptitude, there are diverse career paths available as a designer, ranging from a career as an accessories designer to one as an apparel designer, and even future career development at global locations.

■ Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience
・At least 5 years of experience as a designer at an apparel company or a company specializing in accessories (experience in the accessories department) *Candidates must have experience with items such as shoes, bags, hats, and accessories
・Creative thinking, design skills, and an understanding of global trends ・Knowledge of manufacturing processes and quality control, as well as design knowledge of merchandise in general ・A strong interest in enhancing product quality and refinement
・Ability to incorporate new technologies, materials, and current trends and consumer needs into designs in a timely manner, and a strong interest in doing so


■ Desirable Experience, Skills, and Abilities
・Ability to read and understand overseas trends and collection information in English and apply this knowledge to planning
・Experience using English for internal business tasks, such as email correspondence and creating simple documents

*Please note that you may be asked to submit past design sketches or portfolio pieces during the selection process.

■Company Name: GU Co., Ltd.

■Employment Type: Contract Employee (Fixed-term contract with a 3-month probationary period)
(Depending on your performance and evaluation during the first year of your contract, if you meet our criteria for regular employment, we will consider hiring you as a regular employee starting from the second year.)
* The contract for fixed-term employment will expire after one year and will not be renewed
* If you are not hired as a regular employee, the employment contract will terminate upon the expiration of the contract term

■Annual Salary
・Annual Salary Range: 4.25–8.64 million yen (Monthly Salary: 280,000–540,000 yen)
・Allowances: Commuting allowance, overtime allowance, etc. (※All subject to company regulations)
・Bonuses: Semi-annual bonuses twice a year, year-end bonus (eligibility and amount determined based on company performance and performance evaluations)
・Promotions twice a year (determined based on performance evaluations)
*Salary will be determined based on company regulations, taking into account your previous annual income and experience, and is not limited to the figures listed above

■ Working Hours
Either standard working hours or a flex-time system
(Determined based on job duties, expected role, and assigned department; details will be provided during the final interview)
・Standard Work Hours System
8 hours of actual work and 1-hour break between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM

・Flexible Work Hours System
Standard daily working hours: 8 hours; Break: 1 hour
Core hours: 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Flexible hours: 6:00 AM–9:00 AM and 2:00 PM–8:00 PM (Overtime may apply)

■ Holidays and Leave
Two days off per week (Saturdays and Sundays) Annual paid leave, special leave (including bereavement leave), childcare and nursing care leave systems, etc.
*Whether public holidays are also considered days off in addition to the days off listed above will be specified individually in the contract for part-time employees
*In addition to paid leave, special leave is granted in the first and second halves of the year (the number of days granted varies depending on employment status and the company to which the employee belongs)

■Insurance Coverage
Social Insurance (Health Insurance, Employees' Pension Insurance, Employment Insurance, Workers' Accident Compensation Insurance, Long-Term Care Insurance)

■ Employee Benefits
Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Mutual Aid Association, Partnered Welfare Programs, Employee Discount Program, Cafeteria, Dedicated Shuttle Bus (for commuting to the Ariake Office), Defined Contribution Pension Plan (Full-time employees only)

■Other
・We actively recruit mid-career professionals across our group companies (Fast Retailing, UNIQLO, GU, etc.). We would appreciate it if you could review the information below and consider applying.
- You may apply to multiple companies within the Fast Retailing Group simultaneously. However, please note that even if the selection process proceeds at multiple companies, you can only advance to the final selection stage for one position at a time.
- Based on your submitted resume and interview evaluations, we may contact you to discuss other positions or companies within the Fast Retailing Group.

・Measures Against Secondhand Smoke: Smoking is generally prohibited on the premises and indoors, and we do not have designated smoking rooms. (Smoking is prohibited during working hours, including break times.)

Ariake Headquarters: 1-6-7 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, UNIQLO CITY
*Your location may be changed to a location designated by the company, including overseas locations.