Job Description

Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.

The Role

This role is essential to help achieve the best quality and consistency across the various product areas. Reporting into the Product Technologist, the Assistant Technologist works closely within the whole Product team of Buyers, Merchandisers and Designers.

The product areas this role will be covering is Blouses and Dresses.

What You’ll Take On

• Help to lead the product technology process from the initial creation of design packs to fitting and issuing detailed technical information and product specifications, to risk assessment and reviewing test reports to ensure compliance with all performance, legal and safety standards.
• Manage suppliers to deliver best quality products and provide feedback. Ensure the supply base is set up for successful bulk production and on-time delivery.
• Actively take ownership of product quality and delivery. Manage and rectify failures, ensure high quality standards are met and maintained.
• Encourage a right-first-time approach, challenge suppliers to improve performance to deliver quality and consistency.
• Engage in product risk assessment, highlight areas of concern and advise technical solutions and product improvements.
• Work with the Sustainability & Compliance team to drive business sustainability targets and eliminate the risk of hazardous substances in the manufacturing process.
• Monitor returns and communicate with the warehouse and suppliers regarding quality issues.

• Advise the customer service team on product related complaints.

What You’ll Bring

• You’ll be an experienced assistant garment technologist skilled in construction and manufacturing methods (preferably in knitted and/or woven garments as this role covers multiple garment and product types).
• Technical knowledge gained preferably within a fast paced retail or supplier environment.
• Flexible approach to be able to adjust to the constantly changing needs of the business.
• Ability to lead fit sessions and convey technical information clearly in layman’s terms.
• Exceptional eye for technical detail to consistently ensure the correct documentation is used and followed.
• Demonstrate an awareness of current technical innovations within the fashion industry.
• Technical knowledge of knitted and/or woven garment manufacturing and construction methods, fitting and grading.
• Fabric testing/performance standards knowledge would be beneficial as the role will cover multiple different product types but is not essential.
• Highly organised with good prioritisation skills.
• Confident and clear communication skills, both verbal and written, to build strong relationships with product teams and external suppliers.

Sponsorship:
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see:https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.

At NEXT, we believe the best work happens when there are no barriers to collaboration. That’s why we are a Google-powered workspace From your very first day, you’ll be using the full Google Workspace suite; Docs, Drive, and Meet, to stay connected and move fast.

If your previous experience is rooted in other software suites, don’t worry! We’ll point you to a digital Google toolkit the moment you join, packed with handy guides and insider tips to help you transition smoothly and hit the ground running.

#LI-Onsite

You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!