Launching just 3 years ago, our Client is one of the fastest growing active wear brands in the market. Rapidly expanding into a global network of high-end retailers & premium active outlets around the world.The Brand creates performance active wear to premium technical casual wear; delivering high quality functional design with a clean aesthetic.
With the growth & success of the business, the company is expanding, & looking for skilled, bright & driven team players, that thrive on a challenge, to join a young & ambitious team.
Our Client has a current vacancy for a Garment Technologist. An excellent opportunity to join a thriving Activewear Brand!
Garment Technologist Job Purpose
To develop high quality & innovative product. This role has an ability to directly impact the business & as a result will be greatly rewarding. You will be an integral part in the growth & development of the brand.
The right candidate will be extremely organised, scrupulous about quality & have an excellent eye for detail.
To implement & uphold departmental processes, liaise between departments where necessary, as well as developing & building strong relationships with all suppliers & third-party partners. Always ensuring to uphold the Brand image, core team values & act as an Ambassador for the Brand.
Garment Technologist Role and Responsibilities
Support the design team through all stages of garment development, to build a considered & commercial range in-line with company strategy.
Create & launch seasonal Technical Packs with full Bill of Material information.
Manage Product Development process in line with Critical Path from Strategy through to Gold Seal Approval, ensuring bulk production meets quality expectations.
Launch new season product with factories with target costs & negotiate prices to achieve or exceed margin targets. Compile seasonal costings & present back to the business during Prototype Range Reviews.
Book & track seasonal cloth & trim, for first prototype & SMS development. Launch & Manage Salesman Samples with suppliers, ensuring on-time delivery.
Provide information to the Head of Production, post SMS, ensuring all BOM’s & gold seals are approved, before deadlines.
Through development & production fit sessions create a high-quality collection, measuring garments prior to fitting, documenting comments & providing clear actions to vendors (in-line with critical path). Maintain & where necessary improve fit & grading, working closely with factories to understand potential & limitations.
Attend factories at the end of bulk production, inspecting Pre-shipment garments & ensuring in-line with technical spec. Action any further AQL procedures & warehouse checks where necessary.
Build an excellent understanding of the Brand's customer & competitors through store visits, market research, customer & ambassador feedback. Benchmarking, fit days, wearer trials.
Factory visits to negotiate, aid development & ensure product quality.
Daily communication with Fabric & Trim & Finished Goods suppliers in Europe & Far East.
Contribute to the pre-development process (sourcing, testing, analysing & futureproofing) considering performance, cost & margin. Risk assessment of any items that might be an issue on cost or delivery.
Co-ordinate & confirm appropriate care instructions with factories, approve care label artworks & update internal information sheets.
Keep up to date with industry innovations, attend trade-fairs, build a strong network to support Brand's future growth.
Ensure all fabric & garment testing is conducted, reviewed & analysed in-line with the critical path.
Ensure that products comply with legal requirements for both labeling & testing in all relevant markets.
Take an active role in seasonal review meetings & Sales Team product training.
Experience & Competencies
Relevant experience working as a Garment Technologist / Technical Developer with an excellent knowledge of garment construction & grading.
A keen attention to detail, scrupulous about quality
A confident, pro-active individual with excellent time-management & organization skills
Personal accountability & integrity
Experience in small-medium sized active wear, sportswear or intimate brand; knowledge of seamless product category would be a benefit.
Proficient in Excel & Microsoft package
Ability to adapt to the needs of all areas of the business, which may require ad hoc task outside your outlined job description.
Provide ad-hoc support to the team on administrative tasks.
Demonstrate an innovative & creative approach to critical thinking & decision making.
Have a keen interest in Active Culture