Administrative Assistant

Pentex Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Reward and recognition platform

Long service awards

Charity fabric sample sales

Job summary

Pentex Ltd is seeking an entry-level Textile Sourcing Assistant to develop knowledge in fabric sourcing and development, liaising with suppliers and supporting cross-functional teams.

You\'ll organise swatches, handle shipments, track samples, and assist with cost analysis, while contributing to seasonal fabric searches in line with customer briefs.

This role offers hands-on experience, a pension scheme, and opportunities to grow within the design and sourcing teams.

Qualifications

• Experience with textiles and fabric properties.
• Interest in end-to-end sourcing processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Communicate regularly with suppliers to request fabric samples, quotations, developments and updates.
• Organise, label and manage fabric swatches, cuttings and physical storage areas.
• Handle practical tasks including unpacking and sorting fabric shipments and samples.
• Track incoming swatches, fabric sample requests and developments using spreadsheets or internal systems.
• Maintain accurate sourcing records and follow up agreed supplier actions and timelines.
• Record and compare fabric pricing and assist with basic cost analysis.
• Support fabric searches against customer and Design briefs, pulling relevant options from libraries and supplier developments.
• Support seasonal and category sourcing activities through fabric and supplier research, sample collection and development follow-up.
• Request new fabric options and developments from suppliers under the direction of the Fabric Sourcing Manager.
• Prepare fabric, price and sourcing information for internal reviews and customer/Design range discussions.
• Work collaboratively with Design, Sales, Fabric Technology and other relevant teams to support fabric selection, sourcing and development against customer and product briefs.

Skills

Textiles knowledge

Fabric properties understanding

Attention to detail

Supplier liaison

Numbers & pricing

Job description

This is an entry-level role for someone passionate about textiles and fashion, and who wants to develop their knowledge and experience in fabric sourcing and development.

What You'll Be Doing

• Communicate regularly with suppliers to request fabric samples, quotations, developments and updates.
• Organise, label and manage fabric swatches, cuttings and physical storage areas.
• Handle practical tasks including unpacking and sorting fabric shipments and samples.
• Track incoming swatches, fabric sample requests and developments using spreadsheets or internal systems.
• Maintain accurate sourcing records and follow up agreed supplier actions and timelines.
• Record and compare fabric pricing and assist with basic cost analysis.
• Support fabric searches against customer and Design briefs, pulling relevant options from existing libraries and supplier developments.
• Support seasonal and category sourcing activities through fabric and supplier research, sample collection and development follow-up.
• Request new fabric options and developments from suppliers under the direction of the Fabric Sourcing Manager.
• Prepare fabric, price and sourcing information for internal reviews and customer/Design range discussions.
• Work collaboratively with Design, Sales, Fabric Technology and other relevant teams to support fabric selection, sourcing and development against customer and product briefs.

About You

• Relevant experience and understanding in Textiles and/or Fabric Properties
• Strong interest in fashion fabrics and a desire to learn the end-to-end sourcing process
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for liaising with suppliers and internal teams
• Willingness to engage in hands-on physical tasks, including unpacking and sorting fabric samples
• Solid time management and organisation skills
• Logical and analytical thinking — comfort working with numbers and comparing prices

What's In It For You

• 20 days annual leave
• Company pension scheme
• Reward and recognition platform
• Long service awards
• Discounted sample sales where proceeds are donated to charity