Trainee Fabric Technologist

Matalan; Knowsley; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discount

Recognition scheme

Wellbeing support

Life Assurance

Retail Rewards platform

Pension scheme

Career development

Job summary

Matalan is seeking a Trainee Fabric Technologist to support fabric development in line with quality, sustainability, and commercial goals. You will work with the fabric team, technologists, buying, design, sourcing, and suppliers to ensure products meet customer expectations.

You will help maintain fabric specs, support testing, and contribute to sustainability initiatives while developing knowledge of fabric technology and reporting results to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Apprentice, relevant degree or studies, or up to 2 years industry experience in retail or product supply chain.
• Strong communicator with ability to tailor messages to different audiences.
• Seeks opportunities for personal development and knowledge growth.
• Provides feedback in a professional, courteous and respectful manner.

Responsibilities

• Help deliver consistent, compliant fabrics aligned to Matalan quality standards.
• Maintain and update the core fabric library with accurate specs and samples.
• Build knowledge of fabric technology and provide basic technical support to teams.
• Support sustainability initiatives by selecting responsible fibres and materials.
• Assist in fabric and product performance reviews by analyzing technical information and test results.
• Develop knowledge on fabric testing and reporting of results to stakeholders.
• Work with experienced technologists to grow technical and commercial understanding.
• Foster good relationships with internal teams, mills and suppliers.
• Collate fabric technical hangers and specs, and compare against core specs.

Skills

Strong communication

Willingness to learn

Professional conduct

Education

Fashion & Homeware exposure

Job description

The Trainee Fabric Technologist contributes to the development of fabric in line with Matalan's quality, performance, sustainability, and commercial objectives. While supporting the fabric team, technologists, buying and design teams, and suppliers to ensure products meet customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of consistent, compliant fabrics aligned to Matalan quality standards
• Support the maintenance and updating of the core fabric library, ensuring fabric information, specifications, and samples are accurate and up to date.
• Build knowledge of fabric technology and provide basic technical support to Buying, Design, Sourcing, Technical, and supplier teams under the guidance of the Fabric Technologist.
• Support sustainability initiatives by developing knowledge of responsible fibre and material choices.
• Support fabric and product performance reviews by gathering and analysing technical information, test results, and customer feedback.
• Develop knowledge on fabric testing and performance assessments, to understand test results so that the accurate reporting and results can be communicated to relevant stakeholders.
• Take an active role in personal development, working alongside experienced Fabric Technologists to build the technical knowledge and commercial understanding required to progress within the role.
• Develop good working relationships with internal stakeholder, fabric mills and suppliers, supporting effective communication and timely resolution of fabric-related queries.
• Support key lines process in collating required fabric technical hangers, reporting, formulating specs, and performing initial comparison against core specs

• Apprentice, relevant degree or studies, or some experience within a Fashion and Homeware retailer within a quality or sunewly graduated or with up to 2 years industry experience in retail or the product supply chain
• Strong communicator with skills to tailor to the audience
• Seeks opportunities to develop to support personal development and knowledge
• Provides feedback in a professional, courteous and respectful manner

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