Technical Manager - Kidswear & Homeware

Matalan; Knowsley; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20% staff discount

Thrive Recognition Scheme

Wellbeing support provided by Retailer

Life Assurance

Retail Rewards platform discounts

Pension Scheme

Career development opportunities

Additional role-based benefits

Job summary

Matalan is seeking a Technical Manager to lead the quality function across the full product lifecycle. You will align with Buying, Design and key stakeholders to drive a consistent end-to-end quality process, while advancing global quality, compliance and fit strategies.

You will guide a team, manage critical paths, and embed quality at the centre of decision-making. You will champion a right-first-time culture, oversee technical files, testing standards, and training materials, and travel to

Qualifications

• Senior Leader experience in retail product or fabric tech
• Extensive knowledge of product categories or specialist areas
• Strong attention to detail with compliance and product safety standards
• Pattern-cutting and garment construction knowledge
• Hands-on experience with factory production processes and methods
• Proven ability to build supplier relationships across a global base
• Commitment to developing and upskilling team members
• Proactive, solutions-focused mindset for quality issues
• Strong analytical ability for test reports and benchmarking
• Deep knowledge of quality control processes and inspection standards

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver Matalan quality strategy for the category or area
• Lead critical path management within the quality team to meet deadlines and SLAs
• Build partnerships with Buying, Design and stakeholders to embed quality in decisions
• Engage with the supply base to ensure a clear Matalan quality message
• Champion a right first time culture across the quality function
• Ensure fit accuracy and efficiency across products, lead fit/seal decisions
• Oversee development of high-quality technical files to support product development
• Lead the creation and improvement of testing standards, manuals and training materials
• Monitor returns and inspection data to identify risks and drive improvements
• Provide timely communication and reporting to stakeholders for informed decisions
• Identify and trial new technologies to enhance quality function efficiency
• Maintain block or fabric libraries with accuracy and consistency
• Conduct regular store visits to evaluate sealed production quality
• Travel internationally to engage with suppliers as required
• Develop and implement product engineering and sustainability design principles
• Stay updated on legislation and regulatory requirements for compliance
• Oversee best practice guidelines and minimum make manuals

Skills

Senior Leadership

Product knowledge

Compliance awareness

Pattern-cutting

Factory production

Supplier relationships

Team development

Problem solving

Quality analytics

Quality control standards

Job description

The Technical Manager provides strategic leadership to the quality team, driving a collaborative and forward-thinking approach. They work closely with buying, design, and key stakeholders to ensure a consistent, end-to-end quality process across the full product lifecycle. The role is accountable for implementing and advancing the global quality, compliance, and fit strategy across their departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and deliver the Matalan quality strategy for the relevant category or area, ensuring the team has the right capability, experience, and behaviours to drive performance.
• Lead critical path management within the quality team, ensuring all deadlines and SLAs are consistently met.
• Build and lead strong, collaborative partnerships with Buying, Design, and key stakeholders to embed quality and compliance at the centre of all decision-making.
• Establish and lead regular, structured engagement with the supply base to ensure a clear, consistent and well‑understood Matalan quality message.
• Champion a “right first time” culture across the quality function, driving accountability and continuous improvement.
• Take accountability for fit accuracy and efficiency across all products, improving sampling hit rates within the team and personally leading fit/seal decisions where required.
• Oversee the development and completion of high‑quality technical files to support product development and sealing.
• Lead the creation and continuous improvement of testing standards, manuals and training materials in alignment with wider technical leadership.
• Ensure returns and inspection data are actively monitored and leveraged by the team to identify risks and drive product improvements.
• Provide clear, timely and actionable communication and reporting to stakeholders to support informed decision‑making and continuous improvement.
• Identify, trial and embed new technologies (e.g. PLM, 3D and other emerging tools) to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within the quality function.
• Manage and maintain block or fabric libraries within the area of responsibility, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Conduct regular store visits to evaluate the quality of sealed production and ensure alignment with expectations.
• Undertake international travel to engage with the supply base as required by the business.
• Lead the development and implementation of product engineering and sustainability design principles in collaboration with other Technical Managers.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance across all products.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of best practice guidelines and minimum make manuals, ensuring consistent application across the business.

• Previous experience operating as a Senior Leader within a Product or Fabric Technologist, Product Quality Manager, or technical specialist within retail or a supplier environment
• Extensive and in-depth knowledge of relevant product categories or specialist areas aligned to business needs
• Strong attention to detail, with a solid understanding of compliance regulations and product safety standards
• Essential pattern‑cutting and garment construction knowledge
• Proven knowledge and hands‑on experience of factory production processes and manufacturing methods
• Demonstrated ability to build effective supplier relationships and drive engagement across a global supply base
• A genuine commitment to developing and upskilling team members
• Proactive, solutions‑focused mindset with the ability to identify, manage, and resolve quality issues efficiently
• Strong analytical capability, with experience evaluating test reports and benchmarking products against competitors
• Detailed knowledge of quality control processes and inspection standards

From humble beginnings to disruptive innovations in the retail industry, find out about how Matalan is ever-evolving here.

We know as a team, we are stronger together – we champion equality for all and make lasting connections that go beyond work. We thrive off our inclusive culture, encouraging our colleagues to bring their true selves to work and contributing to collective creativity, open‑mindedness and growth.

We want give every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the application and interview process and then ultimately in their role. If you require any adjustments during our recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

In addition to competitive salaries, we also offer the below core benefits:

• 20% staff discount, which increases with length of service
• Thrive Recognition Scheme
• Wellbeing support provided by the Retail Trust
• Life Assurance
• Retail Rewards platform offering discounts for other retailers
• Pension Scheme
• Access to a wide range of career development
• Additional benefits may apply depending on your role and area of the business