Menswear Technical Assistant

The Barbour; South Shields; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fashion brand in South Shields is seeking a Technical Assistant to join their Menswear team. In this role, you will support the Men's Technical team with new season development and production, ensuring premium products are delivered on time. The ideal candidate will have a degree in the fashion industry, basic knowledge of pattern cutting, and strong communication skills. This position offers a range of benefits, including a company bonus scheme and flexible working options.

Benefits

Discretionary company bonus

Staff discount

25 days holiday

Free on-site parking

Subsidised canteen

Healthcare cash plan

Qualifications

• Degree in fashion industry or clothing technology is essential.
• Basic understanding of pattern cutting and garment construction needed.
• Proactive and capable of prioritizing tasks.

Responsibilities

• Track and book development samples from proto to gold seal.
• Attend fit sessions, taking notes and photos.
• General admin duties and resolving queries from other departments.

Skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Degree in fashion industry/clothing technology

Job description

We currently have an opportunity for a Technical Assistant to join our Menswear team based at Barbour House, South Shields. You will be responsible for supporting the Men's Technical team with new season development and production, helping to ensure the continuation of delivering premium products in line with the business critical path and budget.

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Responsibilities

• Track, chase and book in development samples (from 1st proto to gold seal).
• Measure and review development samples ahead of fit sessions.
• Attend weekly fit sessions, taking notes and photos.
• Support with barcode and care label layout checks/approvals.
• Send samples and parcels to suppliers, warehouse, customers as needed.
• Answer customer service queries as and when needed.
• Follow up wearer trial results and document them.
• Book fit models.
• General admin – liaise with other departments, sales, suppliers, and factories, helping to answer queries and resolve any issues raised.
• Maintain storage spaces and clear samples no longer needed.

Qualifications

• A degree within the fashion industry/clothing technology field.
• A minimum of a basic understanding of pattern cutting, garment construction and fashion manufacture.
• Effective problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Proactive, assertive, organised and capable of prioritising workload and delivering to given timelines.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Computer literate with good Microsoft Office skills.

Benefits

• Discretionary company bonus scheme.
• Staff discount.
• Staff shop.
• 25 days holiday as standard, increasing with length of service plus bank holidays (pro‑rata).
• Free on‑site parking.
• Subsidised canteen.
• Healthcare cash plan.
• Access to training and development activities to support your career development.
• Operate hybrid & flexible working.
• 4 pm finish on a Friday.
• Wellbeing support.
• Refer a friend bonus scheme.
• Reward & recognition programme.
• Length of service rewards.

Company Overview

The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. Still family‑owned and now fifth generation, Barbour HQ remains in South Shields. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the U.S. and Asia offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside. The iconic Barbour Bedale and Barbour Beaufort wax jackets continue to be made by hand in the factory in South Shields. In 2020, Barbour launched Wax for Life, an overarching name for all of Barbour's wax services designed to encourage customers to extend the life of their wax garments. Wax for Life includes re‑waxing and repairs (first introduced in 1921) and Barbour Re‑Loved, an upcycling circularity initiative. Each year over 70,000 wax garments are sent back to Barbour globally to be repaired, re‑waxed or altered.