Fabric Technologist Childrenswear Nightwear & Underwear

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

The Role
Your primary goal is to champion quality and innovation at the very beginning of the product lifecycle. As a Fabric Technologist you are the technical gatekeeper ensuring every roll of fabric meets Nexts rigorous standards for safety durability and performance before a single stitch is even sewn.

You wont just be checking boxes; youll be making a tangible difference in the lives of our customers. By mastering the balance between aesthetic appeal and technical integrity you ensure that:

Safety Comes First: Childrens clothing remains soft secure and compliant with global safety regulations.
Quality Lasts: Parents can trust our products to survive the playground test wash after wash.
Innovation Thrives: Youll help source sustainable and high-performance materials that keep Next ahead of the curve.

Our Fabric Technologists work hard to ensure the quality and variety of fabrics we offer are always innovative and on trend. Pushing the boundaries is what we do here at Next! Working alongside the team to ensure every aspect of the fabric is our Home team the Fabric Techs.

What Youll Take On
As a technical expert in our Childrenswear division you are the bridge between creative vision and physical reality. You will drive innovation from the fiber up ensuring every material we use is safe sustainable and of world-class quality.

• Source and Develop: Identify and procure innovative yarns and fabrics by traveling directly to global factories mills and laundries to see production firsthand.
• Drive Innovation: Partner with suppliers to pioneer new fabric developments keeping Next at the forefront of textile technology and performance.
• Elevate Quality: Set review and maintain rigorous technical standards for all materials ensuring they exceed customer expectations for durability and comfort.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Act as an integral member of the product team working alongside Designers and Buyers to translate trends into high-quality viable products.
• Ensure Compliance: Guide the team through complex legal requirements and Nexts internal guidelines to ensure every product is safe and fit for purpose.
• Manage Supplier Relations: Build and maintain strong partnerships with global suppliers to improve manufacturing processes and fabric consistency.

What Youll Bring

• Extensive Fabric Knowledge: A relevant qualification in Textile Technology (or a related field) and a proven track record of managing the technical lifecycle of fabrics.
• A Critical Eye: An exceptional eye for technical detail allowing you to spot potential performance issues before they reach production.
• Performance Insight: A deep understanding of how fabrics behaveconfidently advising on stretch recovery shrinkage and durability.
• Clear Communication: The ability to translate complex technical data into plain English for Designers Buyers and suppliers.
• Organisation in Motion: The ability to stay grounded and organised during busy periods managing multiple developments and deadlines simultaneously.
• Solutions-Oriented Mindset: When a fabric fails a test you use your experience to find a practical safe and cost-effective solution.
• Collaborative Spirit: You thrive in a multi-functional squad but are equally comfortable working on your own initiative as a senior technical authority.

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: 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.

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