Sourcing Assistant

Pentex Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 20d

Pension

Recognition platform

Long service awards

Charity sample sales

Fresh fruit

Social events

Early finish Fridays

Job summary

Pentex Ltd in London is seeking a Fabric Sourcing Assistant to support end-to-end fabric sourcing and development. This entry-level role is ideal for someone with a passion for textiles and fashion who wants to grow knowledge in supplier communication, sample management and cost tracking.

You will work closely with Design, Sales and Fabric Technology teams to source fabrics, manage swatches, and assist with pricing and supplier updates, contributing to seasonal ranges and product briefs.

Qualifications

• Experience or understanding in Textiles and fabric properties.
• Strong interest in fashion fabrics and learning end-to-end sourcing.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Effective written and verbal communication with suppliers and internal teams.
• Willingness to perform hands-on tasks including unpacking and sorting fabric samples.
• Solid time management and organisation skills.
• Logical and analytical thinking with comfort working with numbers.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with suppliers to request fabric samples, quotations, developments and updates.
• Organise, label and manage fabric swatches, cuttings and storage.
• Handle unpacking and sorting fabric shipments and samples.
• Track incoming swatches and developments using spreadsheets or internal systems.
• Maintain sourcing records and follow up supplier actions and timelines.
• Record and compare fabric pricing and assist with basic cost analysis.
• Support fabric searches against customer briefs, pulling options from libraries and supplier developments.
• Assist seasonal and category sourcing activities through research and sample collection and development follow-up.

Skills

Textiles knowledge

Fabric properties

Supplier liaison

Cost analysis

Time management

Attention to detail

Numerical thinking

Job description

Fabric Sourcing Assistant

The Role

This is an entry-level role for someone passionate about textiles and fashion, and who wants to develop their knowledge and experience in fabric sourcing and development.

What You'll Be Doing

• Communicate regularly with suppliers to request fabric samples, quotations, developments and updates.
• Organise, label and manage fabric swatches, cuttings and physical storage areas.
• Handle practical tasks including unpacking and sorting fabric shipments and samples.
• Track incoming swatches, fabric sample requests and developments using spreadsheets or internal systems.
• Maintain accurate sourcing records and follow up agreed supplier actions and timelines.
• Record and compare fabric pricing and assist with basic cost analysis.
• Support fabric searches against customer and Design briefs, pulling relevant options from existing libraries and supplier developments.
• Support seasonal and category sourcing activities through fabric and supplier research, sample collection and development follow-up.
• Request new fabric options and developments from suppliers under the direction of the Fabric Sourcing Manager.
• Prepare fabric, price and sourcing information for internal reviews and customer/Design range discussions.
• Work collaboratively with Design, Sales, Fabric Technology and other relevant teams to support fabric selection, sourcing and development against customer and product briefs.

About You

• Relevant experience and understanding in Textiles and/or Fabric Properties
• Strong interest in fashion fabrics and a desire to learn the end-to-end sourcing process
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for liaising with suppliers and internal teams
• Willingness to engage in hands-on physical tasks, including unpacking and sorting fabric samples
• Solid time management and organisation skills
• Logical and analytical thinking — comfort working with numbers and comparing prices

What's In It For You

• 20 days annual leave
• Company pension scheme
• Reward and recognition platform
• Long service awards
• Discounted sample sales where proceeds are donated to charity
• Fresh fruit in the office
• Team and company social events
• Early finish Fridays