Fabric Technical Manager

ZipRecruiter; Etwall CP; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the textile industry is seeking a Fabric Technical Manager to oversee fabric sourcing and development. The role involves collaborating with design and production teams to create innovative fabrics while managing a small team. Candidates should possess a degree in Textile Design and have substantial experience in the fashion and textiles industry.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in Textile Design or related field.
• Experience in fashion and textiles industry.
• High level of technical knowledge with practical skills.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for creating and delivering new products with design and production teams.
• Manage the Fabric Development Team and oversee fabric sourcing.
• Organize fabric and garment testing via external accredited test houses.

Skills

Technical knowledge in fabric sourcing

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Team management

Education

Degree in Textile Design, Technology/Management

Tools

MS Office

PLM systems

Job description

Job Description

Reporting to the Head of Sourcing, this is a rare opportunity to recruit an experienced Fabric Technical Manager. The role involves being commercially responsible for sourcing innovative and cost-effective fabrics that align with the critical path and customer expectations. Responsibilities include monitoring and approving pre-production fabric, liaising with customers and technical teams on fabric performance and testing from initial concept to final production, and handling any technical issues as department lead. The role also entails creating and delivering new fabrics in collaboration with Design, Fabric Buying, Production, Technical Teams, and the Customer.

The successful candidate will collaborate with the global supply base to identify newness, new technologies, and sustainability options for fabric and trims, while achieving targets and minimums. The position is based at the Head Office in the East Midlands, with extensive travel to suppliers, customers, and sister sites as required.

Fabric Technical Manager – Key Responsibilities

1. Responsible for creating and delivering new products with the design, production, and technical teams.
2. Attend initial customer meetings to understand technical requirements.
3. Assist with presentations to customers.
4. Stay updated with the latest technology and attend fabric shows to source new fabric developments and innovations.
5. Manage the Fabric Development Team.
6. Oversee tender requirements for fabric sourcing, instruct sample lengths for tender submissions.
7. Set up critical paths for new developments.
8. Organize fabric and garment testing via external accredited test houses.
9. Represent the company at customer review meetings when required.
10. On-site problem solving for fabric development with factories.
11. Develop partnerships with environmentally and ethically compliant factories.
12. Establish quality and performance standards and quality control procedures within factories.
13. Maintain the Product Data Management system for creating specifications and managing product lifecycle controls.

Skills & Requirements

• Educated to degree level in Textile Design, Technology/Management, or a related field.
• High level of technical knowledge with practical skills in fabric sourcing, ideally at managerial level.
• Experience in the fashion and textiles industry with broad knowledge of fabrics, trims, and treatments, including innovation in performance fabrics.
• Experience in fabric testing procedures.
• Ability to manage and motivate a small team.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office and PLM systems.
• Full right to work in the UK; sponsorship is not available.