Garment Technologist

RIVER ISLAND; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fashion retailer in London is seeking an experienced Garment Technologist to support the Buying and Design teams. The role involves ensuring product fit and quality while managing supplier relationships and leading technical approval processes. Ideal candidates will have experience in retail or manufacturing, a strong interest in products, and excellent communication skills. This position offers career progression and generous employee perks.

Benefits

50% staff discount

Free onsite gym

Flexible working

Generous holiday allowance

Bonus scheme

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Junior or Garment Technologist in a Retail or Manufacturing environment.
• Good understanding of sizing, pattern making and grading.
• Knowledge of fabric/materials/components.
• Experience in working across multiple sourcing locations.
• Experience working in newborn/baby products is preferential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical approval process for the department.
• Manage junior team members and provide feedback.
• Collaborate with suppliers to enhance product quality.
• Conduct regular reviews of supplier performance.
• Develop blocks and shapes with Buyers/Designers.

Skills

Strong interest in product and brand

Supplier management

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Commercial awareness

Tools

Excel

Job description

The Garment / Product Tech department at River Island supports the Buying and Design teams to ensure product fit and quality is in line with our brand strategy and values and is compliant in all markets/ channels in which we trade. This is achieved through strong Buying team, Design team and Supplier relations. A strong commercial awareness and application is essential.

The Technologist is recognised by peers, buying and design teams and suppliers as a knowledgeable Technical resource who leads the achievement of established standards of fit, quality and performance for the department/s, in line with the critical path and brand priorities; is responsible for ensuring the product is fit for purpose and aligned with brand objectives.

Key Accountabilities:

• May be required to manage a junior member of the team - e.g., junior technologist / student. Includes mentoring, setting objectives to be achieved and ensure they are being worked towards; providing timely feedback and support to enable that person to work to the best of their ability.
• Leads the technical approval process on their department/s - and is the 'go to' person for all matters relating to 'Technical'.
• Identifies opportunities or risk which may lead to cross functional collaboration/ initiatives.
• Works with suppliers and buying teams to establish opportunities for improvements.
• Leads the product development and approval process of the department to ensure delivery is compliant to all RI standards (fit, quality, performance and compliance) including those of wholesale partners and all markets in which River Island has a presence.
• Responsible for ensuring River Island ways of working are followed by buyers, designers and suppliers for all technical processes, to achieve KPI's of efficiency, consistency and 'right first time'
• Responsible for risk assessment of both production and safety (prior to production) and collaborates with supplier and buyer to minimise risk and ensure compliance.
• Responsible for approval of test reports and Certificates of Compliance in line with our standards and requirements; manages failures in line with commercial limits and standards.
• Develops blocks and key shapes in collaboration with Buyer / Designer relevant to department and season; ensures distribution to and understanding of all relevant stakeholders (including Designers, Suppliers and Home Production)
• Contributes to the development and maintenance of the relevant grading tables for the department.
• Regularly reviews quality and fit of delivered product through store visits, wearer trials; 'Fit squads', benchmarking exercises and ongoing analysis of customer returns information; feedback/ challenge suppliers where necessary to ensure standards are maintained or exceeded and fit remains consistent and relevant. Recommends appropriate actions to buying team where relevant.
• Maintain a knowledge of current and changing global legislation - and ensure compliance at product level.
• Contribute to setting, reviewing and communicating standards and manuals in collaboration with other River Island Technical/ Compliance.
• Regular communication with suppliers to encourage understanding of and commitment to River Island ways of working as well as achievement of fit and quality standards.
• Conduct regular reviews of supplier performance according to agreed KPI's and support suppliers to improve.
• Feeds Into the dept supplier strategy - highlighting technical strengths and risks of key suppliers
• Develop and empower suppliers to take accountability for management of RI processes
• Sustainability - support the Sustainability team in achieving their objectives
• Ethical - Support the ethical team in achieving their objectives

Key experience required:

• Previous experience as an experienced Junior or Garment Technologist in a Retail or Manufacturing Technical environment is required.
• Good understanding of sizing, pattern making and grading
• Good relevant knowledge of fabric/materials/ components
• Previous experience demonstrating a good knowledge and understanding (relevant to product area) of fit, manufacture, testing, compliance/ legislation and other technical aspects relevant to the product area
• Good experience of working across multiple sourcing locations
• Supplier management experience
• Strong interest in product and the River Island brand is essential.
• Experience working across newborn/baby would be preferential

Job role competencies:

• Self-starter, highly organised, able to prioritise
• Good verbal and numerical reasoning skills
• Disciplined and conscientious, results oriented
• Excellent communication skills
• Collaborative and builds good relations with peers/ stakeholders
• Agility and ability to absorb change in line with business priorities
• Resilient
• Commercial awareness and application in day-to-day decision making.
• Strong Excel skills essential
• Positive influencing skills

About Us

We're a much-loved brand with an exciting future. Our Islanders are a diverse bunch of bright, talented people who love working together - and are proud of the work they do. Progression here can take you in all kinds of directions. This is what a career at River Island is like. And this is where yours starts.

This role is based at our Head Office in West London. Check us out here on a map.

What we can offer you:
Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site!

Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through Reward Gateway!

A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill you needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.

Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!

Flexible working is a given, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.

Give as you earn scheme, a 'Giver Island' day each year and receive matched funding.

Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.

A generous bonus scheme & private pension plan.

The choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA.

25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!

Keeping You Safe

At River Island we are committed to the safeguarding of all of our employees regardless of age or job role. We will fulfil our obligation under the Prevent duty which seeks to stop extremism and extremist views from materialising in our business. We promote and encourage the belief in British Values- including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. To find out more, please visit www.gov.uk.

Our Island is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise. To find out more about this interview process, check out our hiring process below.