Head of Technical - Apparel and Home

Rise & Fall; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits at a rapidly growing startup focused on luxury goods and sustainability. Join a dynamic team dedicated to reshaping the industry with innovative products and ethical practices. In this role, you'll oversee the entire product development process, ensuring quality and compliance while leading a talented technical team. Enjoy a vibrant work environment with generous discounts and the potential for a full-time position. If you're passionate about luxury retail and eager to make an impact, this is the perfect chance to advance your career in a forward-thinking company.

Benefits

Highly competitive day rate

Potential for full-time role

Bright office near Portobello Road

Generous discounts on products

Free products each season

Regular socials and events

Qualifications

• Experience with premium or luxury UK retailers and product technical standards.
• Deep technical knowledge of garment construction and production processes.

Responsibilities

• Follow the product development process ensuring quality from concept to production.
• Lead initiatives to improve fit consistency and reduce time to market.

Skills

Garment construction

Quality management systems

Supply chain management

Problem-solving

Leadership

Communication skills

Technical knowledge of testing

Organizational skills

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Adobe Illustrator

Job description

About The Company

We are one of the fastest growing startups in the UK, soon to launch internationally. Having shipped over 250,000 products, we tripled revenue in 2023 and doubled it again last year.

Our offerings include luxury clothing and homewares at accessible prices. We connect customers with top manufacturers worldwide, providing high-quality goods directly from the factory floor at 40-80% less than usual.

We stand against fast fashion, emphasizing sustainability and conscious consumption. We are B Corp certified, have eliminated hard chemicals from our supply chain, and primarily use organic inputs such as cottons and linens. Last year, we donated over £20,000 to charities supporting homelessness and women's issues.

Our trajectory is rapid, and our ambitions are high. We aim to become one of the largest luxury goods retailers globally within the next decade, reshaping the industry as we grow.

If you're eager to join this exciting journey, read on and consider joining our incredible team.

Key Responsibilities

1. Follow the entire product development process across all categories, from initial concept to sealing and fittings, ensuring quality is integrated from the outset.
2. Maintain and update the Rise and Fall Technical Manual to provide clear, market-leading manufacturing guidelines and proactive supplier processes.
3. Review third-party QA inspection reports to ensure they meet brand standards and expectations.
4. Oversee factory onboarding and audits, ensuring all partners adhere to Rise and Fall’s compliance and ethical standards.
5. Assess testing reports for base and bulk materials to ensure they meet performance expectations according to the critical path.
6. Provide expert insights into garment construction to support fittings; knitwear expertise is a plus.
7. Update technical packs with any modifications to finishes, trims, or measurements as necessary.
8. Act as the product quality subject matter expert, defining and embedding technical metrics and performance standards across all categories.
9. Lead initiatives and projects to improve fit consistency, reduce time to market, and enhance cost efficiencies.
10. Develop and execute a product compliance strategy that ensures all products meet quality, legal, and safety standards, reinforcing customer trust.
11. Lead the product technical team to mitigate product risks early, serving as a centre of excellence for fit and blocks.

Qualifications And Skills

1. Experience with premium or luxury UK retailers, with a solid understanding of product technical and quality standards.
2. Deep technical knowledge of testing, garment construction, fitting, sealing, and production processes.
3. Understanding of technical and legal requirements related to product testing.
4. Excellent communication skills to clearly convey complex technical information.
5. Experience managing supply chains across diverse regions.
6. Strong leadership abilities with a history of guiding high-performing teams.
7. High integrity and a strong work ethic.
8. Experience implementing Quality Management Systems in both head office and factory settings.
9. Proactive, solution-oriented, with excellent problem-solving skills.
10. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Adobe Illustrator.
11. Highly organized, capable of managing a dynamic workload with accuracy.
12. Team player who thrives in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

Benefits

1. Highly competitive day rate.
2. Potential to transition to a full-time role for the right candidate.
3. Bright, spacious office near Portobello Road.
4. Opportunity to work with a team of ambitious professionals.
5. Generous discounts on Rise & Fall products plus free products each season.
6. Enjoyable work environment with regular socials and events.