Trainee Fabric Technologist

MATALAN; West Kirby; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; 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

Access to career development

Additional benefits may apply

Job summary

Matalan is seeking a Trainee Fabric Technologist to contribute to fabric development in line with quality, performance and sustainability objectives. You will support fabric teams, buyers, designers and suppliers to ensure products meet customer expectations.

Key responsibilities include maintaining fabric libraries, analysing test results, and supporting sustainability initiatives while developing technical knowledge under guidance.

Qualifications

• Strong communicator with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences.
• Proactive mindset for personal and professional development.
• Ability to provide feedback in a professional, courteous and respectful manner.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of fabric development aligned to quality and sustainability goals.
• Maintain and update the core fabric library with accurate specifications and samples.
• Collaborate with Buying, Design, Sourcing, Technical, and supplier teams to translate fabric tech into products.
• Support sustainability initiatives by understanding responsible fibre and material choices.
• Gather and analyse technical information, test results and customer feedback for fabric and product performance reviews.
• Develop knowledge on fabric testing and interpretation of test results and communicate outcomes to stakeholders.
• Progress within the role by learning from experienced Fabric Technologists.
• Build strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, fabric mills and suppliers to resolve fabric-related queries.

Skills

Strong communicator

Personal development

Professional feedback

Education

Apprentice, degree or studies

Job description

About Matalan

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.

About the role

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

About You

• 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

Benefits

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