Trainee Fabric Technologist

Matalan; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20% staff discount

Thrive Recognition Scheme

Wellbeing support (Retail Trust)

Life Assurance

Retail Rewards platform discounts

Pension Scheme

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Matalan is seeking a Trainee Fabric Technologist to support fabric development in line with quality, performance and sustainability goals. You will collaborate with fabric teams, buying, design and suppliers to ensure products meet customer expectations.

You will build knowledge of fabric technology, support testing, and help maintain accurate fabric specs while developing commercially focused expertise through hands-on experience within a retail environment.

Qualifications

• Apprentice or degree studies in Fashion & Homeware retailer quality or related field.
• Up to 2 years industry experience in retail or product supply chain are acceptable for entry.
• Excellent communication tailored to different audiences and stakeholders.
• Openness to personal development and knowledge growth.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of consistent, compliant fabrics aligned to quality standards.
• Maintain and update core fabric library with accurate specs and samples.
• Provide basic technical support to Buying, Design, Sourcing, Technical and supplier teams.
• Assist sustainability initiatives by learning about responsible fibre choices.
• Gather and analyse technical information, test results and customer feedback for performance reviews.
• Develop knowledge on fabric testing and reporting results to stakeholders.
• Progress within the role by building technical knowledge and commercial understanding.
• Build good relationships with internal teams, mills and suppliers for effective communication.

Skills

Strong communicator

Willing to learn

Team player

Professional and respectful feedback

Education

Apprentice or degree studies in Fashion & Homeware quality

Up to 2 years industry experience in retail/product supply chain

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