About the role

  • Fabric Manager enhancing fabric research and development for a subculture-led fashion brand. Leading sourcing and collaboration to ensure quality and sustainability in fabric use.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development, research, and sourcing of new and novelty fabrications to enhance product development and sustainability across all clothing categories.
  • Create archive of fabrics for each collection/ season including print strike off bases, trims and hardware.
  • Manage fabric library in physical and digital formats of running fabric qualities and trims.
  • Collaborate with design, buying, compliance and technical design teams to ensure fabric quality meets production specifications.
  • Stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies in fabric/ treatment and easy-care developments.
  • Visit fabric sourcing fairs, with heads of buying/ design to develop strong relationships directly with fabric/ trim suppliers.
  • Manage relationships with fabric/ garment suppliers and negotiate contracts to secure flexibility in production pathways.
  • Create strategies for platforming key griege fabrics, allowing agility within our production lead times, creating consistency of quality and price point.
  • Negotiate fabric pricing for proto development and order sample yardage for novelty fabrications.
  • Manage seasonal fabric, trim, library per product category, collection, and create the process for reviewing new developments with design and buying teams.
  • Monitor returns and customer feedback surrounding fabric quality, initiate testing and wearer trials on new fabrications.
  • GPSR - Expertise with General Product Safety Regulations. Ensuring fabrics meet safety requirements, are free from harmful chemicals, linking with REACH Chemical compliance.
  • Partnering with mills / fabric suppliers which are Okeo-Tex Standard 100 certified.
  • Testing fabrics in line with the regulations and requirements for textile testing, work closely with the Technical/ QC team.
  • Build transparent relationships with fabric mills to provide visibility (Tier 2) traceability of the sourcing chain and fabric origins.
  • Provide technical information for garment care labels and product descriptions.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Fashion Design, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in fabric research and development within the apparel industry.
  • Strong understanding of textile science and innovative fabric technologies.
  • Excellent project management skills, communication and ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment.
  • Creative problem-solving skills, entrepreneurial spirit and a keen eye for detail and quality.

Benefits

  • Competitive Salary, subject to skills and experience, with potential bonus and paid overtime
  • Annual leave base starting at 23 days per year (+ bank holidays), plus Birthday off work, and ability to accrue holidays with each year’s service
  • Free Parking
  • Generous staff allowance and discount
  • Free fresh fruit, snacks and drinks in office
  • Individual social fund
  • Bi-Annual Paid team outings
  • Regular pay reviews

Job title

Fabric Manager

Job type

Experience level

Mid levelSenior

Salary

Not specified

Degree requirement

Bachelor's Degree

Location requirements

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