Fabric Manager

MATALAN; West Kirby; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discount

Career development opportunities

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Wellbeing support

Recognition scheme

Job summary

Matalan is seeking a Fabric Manager to lead the development and sourcing of fabrics, ensuring quality, performance, sustainability, and cost objectives are met. You will work with the Fabric Technical Manager, Buying, Design, Technical and Supply Chain teams to streamline the end-to-end fabric development process and deliver fabrics that meet customer expectations.

You will drive innovation, manage core fabric standards and libraries, and provide guidance to cross-functional teams while

Qualifications

• Degree in Textile Technology or Fabric related field.
• Experience in Fabric Development/Management within fashion or home retailer.
• Strong fabric knowledge across multiple bases and suppliers.
• Experience with textile testing and fabric standards.
• Knowledge of sustainability practices in fabric sourcing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic development and management of fabrics and yarns to meet quality, performance, sustainability and cost objectives.
• Drive fabric innovation by identifying new materials and industry trends.
• Own and improve core fabric standards with data-driven decision support.
• Develop and manage the fabric library, promoting standardisation and cost optimisation.
• Provide technical guidance to Buying, Design, Sourcing and supplier teams.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure consistent fabric quality across products.
• Lead sustainability initiatives in fabric sourcing and supplier relationships.
• Identify opportunities to streamline fabric routes and reduce duplication.
• Represent Matalan at fabric exhibitions and supplier events.
• Lead deep-dive initiatives using customer insight and technical data to improve product quality.
• Resolve fabric-related production issues with robust root cause analysis and continuous improvement.
• Embed new technologies (e.g., Digiview, PLM, 3D) to enhance fabric decision-making.
• Mentor junior team members and drive knowledge development.

Skills

Fabric knowledge

Textile testing

Supply chain management

Multi-base expertise

Communication with overseas suppliers

Attention to detail

Education

Textile Technology or Fabric related Degree

Tools

PLM

Digiview

3D tools

Job description

About Matalan

From humble beginnings to disruptive innovations in the retail industry, find out about how Matalan is ever-evolving here.

We know as a team, we are stronger together - we champion equality for all and make lasting connections that go beyond work. We thrive off our inclusive culture, encouraging our colleagues to bring their true selves to work and contributing to collective creativity, open-mindedness and growth.

We want give every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the application and interview process and then ultimately in their role. If you require any adjustments during our recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know.

In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.

About the role

The Fabric Manager will lead the development and sourcing of fabrics that deliver the required quality, performance, sustainability, and cost objectives. Working in partnership with the Fabric Technical Manager, Buying, Design, Technical, and Supply Chain teams, the role is responsible for driving an efficient end-to-end fabric development process, ensuring the right fabrics are developed and delivered to meet customer expectations, business objectives, and critical path requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development and management of fabrics and yarns, ensuring they meet Matalan's quality, performance, sustainability, and commercial objectives.
• Drive fabric innovation by identifying new materials, technologies, and industry trends, ensuring Matalan remains competitive and delivers value-led products to customers.
• Own and continuously improve the core fabric and yarn standards, monitoring performance through reporting and data analysis to support informed decision-making.
• Manage and develop the core fabric library, promoting fabric standardisation, consolidation, and reuse to improve consistency, efficiency, and cost optimisation across product categories.
• Act as the technical fabric expert, providing specialist guidance and training to Buying, Design, Sourcing, Technical, and supplier teams to support product development and enhance fabric knowledge across the business.
• Collaborate with Buying, Design and key stakeholders to drive consistent quality across all fabrics and yarns, including nominated sources in the supply base
• Lead fabric sustainability initiatives by embedding responsible material choices and supporting the delivery of Matalan's environmental and ethical sourcing targets.
• Identify opportunities to rationalise fabric routes and reduce duplication of similar fabric qualities, driving efficiencies within the supply base while maintaining product performance and customer expectations.
• Represent Matalan at key fabric exhibitions, supplier events, and industry forums to source innovation, build strategic supplier relationships, and identify future opportunities.
• Lead product and fabric deep-dive initiatives, using customer insight, product performance, and technical data to drive continuous improvement and enhance product quality.
• Collaborate with Buying, Design, Sourcing, and supplier partners to resolve fabric-related production issues, ensuring robust root cause analysis and continuous improvement.
• Identify, trial and embed new technologies (e.g.Digiview, PLM, 3D and other emerging tools) to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within the fabric function and wider business where fabric/colour systems are required for decision making
• Mentor junior members of the team to support their knowledge development in fabric and yarns
• Drive the fabric related Key Line Process conversations to ensure that the price and quality of fabrics from nominated mills is competitive

About You

• Textile Technology or Fabric related Degree
• Previous experience in Fabric Development / Management within a fashion or homeware omni channel retailer
• Strong fabric knowledge across multiple bases
• Experience in Textile Testing and fabric standards
• Fabric Sustainability knowledge advantageous especially in Sustainability industry activity and Standards
• Experience of Supply Chain management on an international basis
• Good communication skills including experience of dealing with overseas suppliers and factories
• Highly organised with acute attention to detail

Benefits

In addition to competitive salaries, we also offer the below core benefits:

• 20% staff discount, which increases with length of service
• Thrive Recognition Scheme
• Wellbeing support provided by the Retail Trust
• Life Assurance
• Retail Rewards platform offering discounts for other retailers
• Pension Scheme
• Access to a wide range of career development
• Additional benefits may apply depending on your role and area of the business