Senior Garment Technician

Company Description: The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. Still family owned and now fifth generation, Barbour HQ remains in South Shields. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the US and Asia offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside. The iconic Barbour Bedale and Barbour Beaufort wax jackets continue to be made by hand in the factory in South Shields. In 2020, Barbour launched Wax for Life, an overarching name for all of Barbour’s wax services designed to encourage customers to extend the life of their wax garments.

Position Overview: We currently have an opportunity for a Senior Garment Technician to join our fast-paced Womenswear Technical team based at Barbour House, South Shields. You will lead on the technical development of premium outerwear styles, ensuring consistent fit, construction, and quality across collections. The Senior Garment Technologist acts as the technical authority on assigned products and suppliers, supporting the technical team and collaborating closely with design, development, and supply base teams to uphold Barbour’s premium standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the design team and manufacturing base to ensure the on-time development of women’s collections; offer technical guidance, review samples, lead fit sessions and critique products for fit, quality, and construction, ensuring consistent and proper fit of garments and that the most appropriate construction methods are used according to the products intended end use.
• Collaborate with Design to translate creative intent into technical product specifications, owning the creation of size charts, review of technical specs and offering expertise on construction while preserving design vision.
• Ownership of sample review / analysis throughout the product creation process. Lead fit sessions, delivering actionable fit comments, advising on construction, pattern amendments, premiumisation, and ensuring accuracy across size and fit.
• Create and issue detailed, accurate and concise sample reports for suppliers.
• Identify and help solve potential development and/or production problems – including but not limited to pattern and construction issues. Continuously monitor and elevate product quality.
• Approve and troubleshoot high-risk styles and support resolution of supplier queries, escalating to Technical Manager only as needed.
• Own and maintain all product deadlines. Ensure compliance with product safety and legislation, requesting and approving test reports where relevant.
• Contribute to internal process improvements including the creation and maintenance of product standards, blocks, and technical libraries/manuals.
• Support QA/QC - help identify/solve issues as and when needed.
• Act as a role model and mentor for junior team members, encouraging knowledge sharing, accuracy, and pride in product quality.
• Support with answering customer service queries as and when needed.
• Supplier visits as and when needed.
• General admin – liaise with other departments, sales, suppliers, factories to ensure timely resolution of queries/issues etc.

Skills and Experience:

• A degree within the fashion industry/clothing technology field.
• Experience across product development, garment technology and quality control.
• Solid understanding of construction, fit, pattern cutting, sizing and grading.
• Industry stakeholders’ awareness e.g. test houses, industry federations, etc.
• Previous use of PLM systems, or similar.
• Extensive experience working closely with a diverse global factory base.
• Effective problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Proactive, assertive, organised, capable of prioritising workload and able to deliver to given timelines.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Computer literate with good Microsoft office skills.

Benefits:

• Staff discount
• Staff shop
• 25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• Free onsite parking
• Subsidised canteen

Note: In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.