Garment Technologist

Ben Sherman; Leeds; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Ben Sherman in Leeds seeks a Garment Technologist to manage fit, quality, finish, care labels and AQL testing for USA ranges, adhering to Critical Path deadlines. Responsible for grading specs, technical drawings and sealing processes from proto to Gold seal, in collaboration with Buying/Merch teams.

The role requires coordinating with suppliers, ensuring accurate testing reports, and maintaining records while driving continuous improvement across multiple categories.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in fitting, testing and AQL processing.
• Experience working with international suppliers and factories.
• Excellent Excel skills and time management.

Responsibilities

• Manage fit sessions and update the Fit schedule with supplier coordination.
• Oversee quality, finish, care labels, testing and AQL inspections.
• Liaise with overseas suppliers to resolve fit and production issues.
• Ensure critical path deadlines are met and maintain detailed records.

Skills

Pattern cutting knowledge

Excel skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Job description

37.5 Hours

Garment Technologist

Leeds

37.5 Hours

Ben Sherman started out in 1963 producing standout button down shirts from a factory in Brighton. Over 6 decades later the brand is still producing standout shirts, but has also expanded to a full lifestyle collection rich in the brands DNA. From the early days the brand has been linked to music and British subcultures and that remains a core aspect of the brands appeal today.

We are on a fast-paced expansion to build the brand up through our own retail stores, key wholesale partners and the boutique menswear stores that showcases the brand’s products & aesthetic to our broad customer base. To succeed in this expansion, we are currently looking for talented, passionate individuals to drive the brand forward through its next evolution.

If you are passionate about being part of a British Heritage brand’s journey, why not join us?

Purpose of the role

Responsible for managing the fit, quality, finish, care labels, testing and AQL Inspection whilst adhering to Critical Path deadlines for the USA ranges.

Responsibilities

Fit

• Be aware of samples due to arrive and update the Fit schedule accordingly
• Assess garment fit and product design suitability.
• Measure garments and come fully prepared to fit sessions with comment history
• Lead weekly fit sessions to achieve continuity or effective amends to the fit and development of garments
• Adhering to the block Library, create fully graded specs and provide technical drawings where necessary.
• Controlling the garment sealing process, from proto to Gold seal, in conjunction with the Buying/Merch department
• Rectifying fit issues by advising / liaising with factories on appropriate pattern corrections
• Communicate effectively with suppliers overseas, using wording, diagrams, zoom calls
• Sending clear and accurate comments in a timely manner
• Keeping detailed records of measurements, comments and history of garment

Quality and finish

• Understanding of quality of workmanship
• Controlling quality and construction and rectifying issues, if necessary, by recommending alternative construction techniques.
• Main contact for all Rejected and or returned orders
• Supplier liaison regarding failed deliveries with confirmation of acceptance and rejection levels on product. Working with buying collaboratively to negotiate discounts relating to garment defects or product recalls enabling the company to recover all costs and suitable compensation.

Care labels and testing

• Advising suppliers on wash care instructions for all products.
• Liaising with external testing houses for any specialist requirements when needed
• Ensure all information is accurate on care labels, product specific and approved in line with critical path.
• To independently request, control and approve fabric test reports from suppliers and 3rd party testing houses and ensure that results and any component parts meet the company’s quality standards.
• Review fabric test reports and keep full records
• Adhere to testing processes set out in the Testing Manual

AQL

• Manage AQL approvals in line with Critical path

Processes

• Keeping supplier scorecards up to date
• Manage critical path effectively
• Be aware of and adhere to processes set by the Technical Manager. Contribute, when needed to team Technical projects
• Attending weekly Critical Path meetings, ready to contribute
• Effectively prioritizing workload

Key Skills & Experience

• Friendly and approachable, working with multiple teams across different departments
• Confident and assertive
• Pattern cutting knowledge
• Able to meet new challenges with positive attitude
• Has at least 5 years of relevant experience in fitting, testing and AQL processing
• Flexible, needs to be able to adapt to changes in their workday beyond their control (this could be attending a last minute meeting, changing work priorities or could be changing days worked from home to fit in with the team meetings etc)
• Can prioritise their workload, but can adapt their daily to do list when needed (not rigid)
• Can work independently and within a team
• Can work across multiple categories with different buying teams
• Helpful, able to cover for their teammates when needed
• Someone with an attention to detail, with good knowledge and experience of multi product development and construction methodologies;
• Commercially driven, with experience of working with international suppliers and factories.
• A proactive problem solver, capable of making rational and realistic decisions based on factual information to deliver commercial solutions.
• Excel skills
• Time management

Indicators of performance

• Reduction in amount of required sealing samples season on season (when producing with same supplier/factory)
• Improved fit of garment from proto to finished production.
• Improved workmanship season on season
• Improvement achieved on supplier scorecard, season on season.

Skills

Quality Assessment

Product Technologist

Garment Technology

Garment Technologist

Garment Tech