Senior Garment Technologist

Debenhams; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Brand discount across Coast and Debenh

Wellbeing package

Learning & development

Season ticket loan

Job summary

Coast, part of the Debenhams Group, is seeking a Senior Garment Technologist for our London-based team. You will partner with design, buying and QA to continuously elevate fit standards, working with global suppliers to ensure premium quality.

The role requires strong technical authority and leadership across multiple product areas. You will lead meticulous fit sessions, mentor the technical team, and drive innovations while ensuring compliance with safety and REACH regulations.

Qualifications

• Strong technical background in fitting, garment construction and patterning.
• Ability to lead fit sessions autonomously and mentor teams.
• Excellent communication with QA, design, buying and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Own the fit for product areas, directing in-house and sourced sessions.
• Provide technical guidance on new product development to elevate quality and control costs.
• Give clear feedback to suppliers and manage samples to meet KPIs without compromising quality.
• Mentor and develop the wider Technical team in collaboration with QA manager.
• Ensure compliance with product safety and REACH legislation; assess and mitigate risk.
• Champion product quality and lead initiatives to reduce customer returns through better fit.
• Identify and manage new projects, improving technical procedures.

Skills

Technical leadership

Communication

Global travel

Time management

Education

Textile/garment degree

Tools

Gerber

Google Workspace

Job description

Description

About Coast

At Coast, we believe in the magic of dressing up. As a premium occasionwear brand, we are dedicated to crafting beautiful, high-quality pieces that make our customers feel extraordinary on their most important days. In the world of occasionwear, the fit, drape, and finish of a garment are everything.

Behind our elegant collections is the powerhouse of the Debenhams Group. We don’t stand still; we lead, evolve, and redefine online fashion. While we celebrate our rich heritage as part of Britain’s ultimate online department store destination, our eyes are firmly on the future. We thrive on innovation and pace. If you are a visionary who appreciates premium quality but thrives in a fast-moving, high-growth environment, you will love it here.

Be bold. Be meticulous. Be part of our community.

The Role

We are looking for a highly skilled, confident, and decisive Senior Garment Technologist to join our London-based Coast team.

Working at the heart of our premium brand, you will partner with our design and buying teams, alongside QA managers, to continuously elevate our fit standards. You will be the technical authority for your product areas, working closely with global suppliers to guarantee uncompromising quality. For Coast, perfection is in the details—and we need a Senior Technologist who knows exactly how to achieve it.

What You Will Be Doing

• Owning the Fit: Lead meticulous fit sessions for your product areas (both in-house and at source). Balance agility with our premium quality standards, making commercial decisions with absolute confidence.
• Driving Craftsmanship: Collaborate with design, buying, and suppliers to offer expert technical guidance on new product development, elevating quality while optimizing costs.
• Supplier Partnership: Provide clear, decisive, and highly accurate technical feedback to suppliers. Process samples with agility to meet fast-paced KPIs without ever compromising the final garment.
• Mentorship & Leadership: Support the QA manager in overseeing product areas, while directly mentoring, training, and developing the wider Technical team.
• Risk & Compliance: Ensure strict compliance with product safety and REACH legislation. Assess risk, advise on testing, and resolve any non-compliance efficiently.
• Customer Excellence: Champion product quality at all times and spearhead initiatives to reduce customer returns through superior fit and construction.
• Process Innovation: Identify, manage, and deliver new projects, feeding back recommendations to the QA Manager to continuously improve our technical procedures.

What We Are Looking For

• Proven Expertise: A strong track record in a similar senior technical role within a fast-paced, ideally premium or occasionwear, environment.
• Technical Authority: A highly technical qualification (preferably at degree level) with comprehensive knowledge of fitting, fit issues, and garment construction.
• Multi-Product Mastery: Extensive experience across multiple product areas, including fringe categories, with the agility to move seamlessly between them.
• Pattern & Production Knowledge: Deep understanding of pattern cutting, grading rules, and systems (e.g., Gerber). You should also possess a thorough understanding of factory production, workflow, and control.
• Leadership Skills: A confident, positive individual who can manage team expectations, run their own fit sessions autonomously, and inspire those around them.
• Exceptional Communicator: First-class communication skills to build trust with the QA manager, the wider brand team, and our global factory partners.
• Agility & Tech-Savvy: Strong time-management skills with the ability to pivot quickly. Confident using Google Workspace (Gmail, Sheets, Docs), Gemini (AI), and eager to expand your digital skillset.
• Global Mindset: A keen interest in overseas travel to visit our suppliers and factories.

Why Debenhams Group?

Our mission is to create a workplace where everyone is respected, individual differences are valued, and people can be exactly who they are—without exception.

2025 was a year of significant change for the Group. 2026 is about bold moves, real results, and unstoppable momentum. If that excites you, you belong here.

Our Benefits Include (subject To Level And Eligibility)

• Highly competitive bonus scheme, company pension, share schemes, private medical cover, and life assurance
• Generous discount across all our core brands (Coast, Debenhams, boohoo, boohooMAN, PrettyLittleThing, Karen Millen, and Warehouse)
• Comprehensive wellbeing package
• Ongoing learning and development with strong internal progression paths
• Free season ticket loan