At a Glance
- Tasks: Champion quality and innovation in childrenswear fabrics, ensuring safety and performance.
- Company: NEXT, a leading retailer known for its collaborative and innovative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, bonuses, discounts, and health benefits while working flexibly.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent career growth opportunities and a Google-powered workspace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's clothing by sourcing sustainable and high-performance materials.
- Qualifications: Textile Technology qualification and experience in managing fabric lifecycles.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.
The Role: NEXT Childrenswear are looking for a Fabric Technologist, ideally with wovens experience in childrenswear. 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 Next’s rigorous standards for safety, durability, and performance before a single stitch is even sewn. You won’t just be checking boxes; you’ll 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: Children’s clothing remains compliant with global safety regulations.
- Quality Lasts: Customers can trust our products to survive wash after wash.
- Innovation Thrives: You’ll 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 performing.
What You’ll Take On:
- 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 Next’s 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 You’ll 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 behave—confidently 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: 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.
Benefits:
- Profit-related bonus - based on company performance
- Management share options
- Private medical insurance
- Sharesave scheme - make savings from your net pay to buy NEXT shares at a discount
- Pension - fixed contribution rates from both an employer and employee perspective, but you're also able to make additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) if you wish to save more.
- Life assurance
- Group income protection
- Wagestream - helping you make the most out of your money
- Salary finance – offers access to affordable loans repaid through salary, simple savings and free financial education.
- 25% staff discount on most NEXT products - plus discount on other products
- Direct to work - NEXT orders delivered free to the office for collection
- VIP sale - early access to the NEXT sale
- Access to NEXT staff shops
- Octopus energy - like cycle-to-work, but for electric vehicles
- Free parking (excluding London locations)
- National and local discounts on goods and services - this includes things like discounted cinema tickets
- Wellhub - includes access to discounted gym membership
- Simply health - a healthcare subscription service
- Aviva Digicare Workplace+ healthcare service – 7 Free services including Digital GP appointments and an annual health check.
- A range of dedicated 3rd party wellbeing partners
- Free eye testing - voucher to use at specific locations
Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change. We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (please include ‘Workplace Adjustments’ in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.
What's Next? We’ll review your application and, if interested, we’ll invite you for an initial conversation by phone or video. Following that, you may be asked to present an interview task or portfolio and talk through your experience in a competency based interview. If it’s the right match, our recruitment team will be in touch with a job offer and next steps. This is where your journey with NEXT begins.
Team Overview: This is where ideas become incredible collections. Designers, Buyers, Merchandisers, and Technologists collaborate to create products our customers love. You'll spot global trends, strategically balance our range plans and meticulously test quality so every season feels fresh, inspiring and exceptional.
Fabric Technologist - Childrenswear employer: Next Careers
At NEXT, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and collaborative work environment where innovation thrives. As a Fabric Technologist in Childrenswear, you'll not only champion quality and safety but also enjoy a range of benefits including profit-related bonuses, private medical insurance, and a generous staff discount. With opportunities for personal growth and a commitment to employee wellbeing, NEXT is an excellent employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the fashion industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fabric Technologist - Childrenswear
✨Get Down to the Fashion Events
Dive headfirst into local fashion shows, trade fairs, and networking events. These are golden opportunities to meet industry pros and showcase your passion for the industry in person. Plus, it gives you the chance to chat about potential roles at places like Next Careers!
✨Join Fashion-Focused Communities
Become a part of online fashion communities on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest. Participate in discussions and share your insights on trends or your personal style journey. It’s a great way to get noticed by brands looking to fill positions, including Next Careers.
✨Craft a Rock-Solid Portfolio
Since you're aiming for a full-time gig, your portfolio should reflect not just your best work but also your personality. Whether it’s lookbooks, design sketches, or styling projects, make sure it screams 'you' and includes a bit about why you’d be a perfect fit for Next Careers.
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re fresh out of university, don’t underestimate your career services. They often have partnerships with fashion companies for internships and entry-level roles. Use this to your advantage and connect with them to find any openings at Next Careers!
We think you need these skills to ace Fabric Technologist - Childrenswear
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Style:In the fashion-apparel industry, your personal style and understanding of current trends are crucial. Make sure your CV and cover letter reflect your unique fashion sense – use visuals if you can and highlight any fashion-related experiences or projects that show off your flair!
Highlight Relevant Experience:When you're applying for a full-time role, be sure to focus on any past roles or internships in fashion that’ve honed your skills. Whether that's working in retail, fashion design, or marketing, quantify your achievements and show how they relate to the role at Next Careers.
Include a Strong Portfolio:An impressive portfolio is key in fashion! Make sure to include a link to your online portfolio in your CV, showcasing your best work, be it designs, campaigns, or styling projects. This is your chance to let your creativity shine and demonstrate your abilities to Next Careers!
Craft a Standout Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to weave in your passion for fashion and the specific reasons you want to work at Next Careers. Share your vision of how you'd contribute to their brand and why you're excited about their work. Tailoring this will make you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Next Careers
✨Showcase Your Style Portfolio
For a role in the fashion-apparel industry, having a well-curated portfolio is essential. Ensure you include your best work that reflects your style and creativity, whether it's sketches, lookbooks, or completed designs. Be ready to discuss your design process and the inspirations behind your pieces!
✨Know the Latest Trends and Brands
Being well-versed in current fashion trends and influential brands can give you a leg up in the interview. Get familiar with what’s trending in the market and know your competitors. This shows your passion for the industry and helps you connect your work experience to current fashion trajectories.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaboration Skills
In a full-time fashion role, collaboration is key, whether you’re working with designers, marketers, or suppliers. Be prepared to share experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team or navigated challenges with colleagues. This will highlight your ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Dress the Part
This might sound obvious, but in fashion, how you present yourself is part of your brand. Wear something that represents your personal style while still aligning with the company’s aesthetic. It’s a great way to show you understand the industry's essence and can embody the brand’s image!
