Garment Technician - Swimwear

HUNKEMOLLER; Hilversum; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

HUNKEMOLLER in Hilversum seeks a hands-on Product Development Technician to drive technical insight across swimwear and beachwear, translating concepts into clear technical requirements and supporting fit through production while ensuring quality and customer experience.

You will run fit sessions, review construction, manage PLM specs, and collaborate with Design, Buying and suppliers to source fabrics and components that meet performance and aesthetics.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor/Master/HBO degree in contour fashion and/or clothing and quality control.
• Gained at least 3-5 years of experience in a similar function.
• Good knowledge of English (spoken & written).

Responsibilities

• Contribute to strategy meetings with technical updates and development opportunities.
• Research materials and construction techniques to enhance quality and performance.
• Gather customer feedback to identify opportunities to improve products.
• Translate concepts into technical information to support development.
• Conduct fit and product reviews assessing comfort, function and end-use suitability.
• Record technical comments, measurements and images in PLM.
• Manage sealing and approval from first sample to production.
• Ensure products meet defined quality and performance standards.

Skills

Technical expertise

Quality control

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor/Master/HBO in fashion

Tools

MS Office

PLM systems

Job description

You will provide technical expertise across the swimwear and beachwear ranges, providing technical insight to ensure each product is fit for purpose whilst maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the design. Working closely with Design from concept through to production, you will ensure products deliver the right fit, comfort, function, quality and performance, while consistently meeting Hunkemöller's product standards.

Working closely with Buying, Design and suppliers, you will translate creative concepts into clear technical requirements, identify risks early, support fit and product reviews, and manage technical approval from first sample through to production.

This role suits a confident, hands-on technician who has a good understanding of stretch materials in terms of fit and performance, with a strong focus on quality, construction and the customer experience.

Your main tasks & responsibilities will be:

Product Development

• Contribute to strategy meetings, sharing relevant technical updates, product insights and opportunities for development.
• Research new materials, components, applications and construction techniques that can enhance product quality, performance and innovation.
• Gather and communicate customer feedback and insights from stores and customer-facing teams to identify opportunities to improve the product.
• Work with Design and suppliers to source fabrics, materials, trims and components that are appropriate for the product, construction and intended end use.
• Translate Design artworks and concepts into clear, accurate technical information to support product development.

Sampling, Fitting & Product Review

• Conduct fit and product review sessions, assessing fit, comfort, function and overall suitability for the intended end use.
• Identify technical issues during sampling and fitting, working with Design and suppliers to find practical solutions and refine the product.
• Review and challenge product construction, materials and components to ensure they are appropriate for the product and create opportunities to improve or elevate the end result.
• Record clear and accurate technical comments, measurements and images, maintaining up-to-date specifications in PLM.
• Manage the sealing and approval process from first sample through to pre-production and production.

Quality

• Ensure products consistently meet established quality, construction and workmanship standards throughout development and production.
• Monitor product performance against agreed standards, identifying areas for improvement and supporting the development of new standards where required.
• Ensure fabrics, materials, trims and components meet defined quality and performance requirements, with risk-based wear testing carried out where needed.
• Carry out random AQL checks in the DC, ensuring QC failures are clearly communicated and followed up with relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain and develop product-specific technical standards and documentation, ensuring requirements remain relevant to fit, performance and quality.

Testing

• Manage, review and approve base and bulk test reports, ensuring testing is aligned with Hunkemöller standards and escalating issues with clear technical recommendations.
• Support and conduct risk-based wear testing to identify potential product issues early and work with suppliers to resolve them.
• Work with the Product Sustainability Technologist to ensure products comply with relevant EU requirements and are supported by the correct testing and product information.

Critical path:

• Work closely with the buying team and suppliers to ensure Critical path management is followed and suppliers are delivering samples at every stage of the fitting process and technical dates are running to plan

Supplier communication:

• Conduct supplier video calls to foster strong supplier relationships, assessing any production risks and maintaining key technical milestones.
• Work with suppliers to ensure design briefs are translated to deliver samples right first time
• Pre-production risk assessments are reviewed and actions followed.

You are our perfect candidate, if you have:

• A Bachelors-/Masters-/HBO-degree in, contour fashion and/or clothing and quality control
• Gained at least 3-5 years of experience in a similar function required
• Good knowledge of the English language (spoken & written)
• Knowledge of MS-Office
• Knowledge of PLM systems