Trainee Fabric Technologist - Womenswear

Are you looking for the perfect place to develop a career as a Product/Fabric Technologist? We are looking for a Trainee Technologist to join our Womenswear department!

Providing essential technical and administrative support, you will assist the department in ensuring our Womenswear products comply with our high technical standards.

About the role:

• Provide technical support to the Technologist, Product Team and Suppliers. You will monitor the critical path ensuring the product approval procedure is followed and exceptions are raised as necessary
• Development & sourcing of fabrics ensuring fabric continually meets our high standards for Womenswear
• Help to risk assess all new fabrics & mills/routes
• Be aware of critical path, and priorities set by the Technologist
• Maintain the daily progress and update the progress system highlighting any delays for approval process
• Manage fabric approval process inline with critical path
• Support technologists to deliver necessary training for suppliers
• Monitor the supplier response times
• Follow up and keep a record for the due diligence test
• Chase in new samples and monitor supplier updates
• Preparing information on the % of the range that is approved throughout the season
• Monitoring customer returns and online customer reviews, taking action where required
• Advise customer service team on product related complaints
• Communicate with the warehouse and suppliers regarding quality issues on delivered stock
• Request information from suppliers on behalf of the Technologist and collate that information
• Assist the Technologist in the preparation and sending of detailed fitting comments
• Contribute to technical issues that arise by finding an appropriate solution
• Maintaining the storage of fit/production samples in season, and preparing them for disposal at the end of season
• Attend fit sessions alongside the Technologist

About you:

• Related degree and can demonstrate an understanding of fabric construction and processes
• Basic knowledge of pattern cutting, construction and manufacturing techniques
• Exceptional eye for technical detail
• Ability to convey technical information clearly and accurately
• Ability to work at pace in a busy environment
• Highly organised with good prioritisation skills
• Flexible approach to be able to adjust to the constantly changing needs of the business
• Competent in Microsoft Excel
• Knowledge of 3D pattern software and Google GSuite would be an advantage

About Us
You know Next, but did you know we're a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We're the UK's 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we're the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it's now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we've gone global!

About some of our Benefits

• 25% off a huge selection of Next, Lipsy & Victoria's Secret products
• Company performance based bonus
• Sharesave scheme
• On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
• 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
• Early VIP access to sale stock
• Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
• Subsidised restaurant, coffee shop and juice bar
• Access a 24/7 digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
• Free on-site parking