At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape fabric development for all genders, ensuring quality and performance standards.
- Company: Join a leading fashion retailer with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, profit-related bonuses, and a generous staff discount.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent career growth and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fashion industry while working with cutting-edge materials.
- Qualifications: Textile Technology qualification and strong fabric management experience required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.
Responsibilities
- Working closely with a Fabric Sourcer and in partnership with Design and Buying teams, you’ll play a key role in shaping fabric development across all genders — ensuring every material is commercially sound and fit for purpose.
- Develop and maintain technical fabric standards, working within Next’s established requirements while actively looking for smarter, more efficient, and innovative ways of working.
- Ensure fabrics meet performance, quality, and compliance standards, supporting consistent product delivery across all categories and genders.
- Manage and build supplier relationships, working collaboratively to improve consistency, capability, and value.
- Problem-solve at an early stage of development, identifying risks quickly and working with partners to find practical, cost-effective solutions.
- Support continuous improvement, challenging existing processes where appropriate and contributing ideas to improve speed, efficiency, and product outcome.
- Work closely with our Fabric Sourcer, Design and Buying teams, translating creative direction and commercial needs into practical, viable fabric solutions across the range.
Qualifications
- 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.
- 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 team but are equally comfortable working on your own initiative as a senior technical authority.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Profit-related bonus based on company performance.
- Management share options.
- Company car or car allowance.
- 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, with the option for additional voluntary contributions.
- 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).
- Travel2NEXT – bus services dependent on location.
- On site dining facilities (excluding London locations).
- National and local discounts on goods and services, including 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.
- Onsite GP – Leicester Head Office.
- Onsite Physio – Leicester Head Office.
- 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.
EEO and Accessibility
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, please email (include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line) or call and leave a voicemail.
Fabric Developer - The Set employer: Next
At NEXT, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With extensive benefits including 25 days of holiday, private medical insurance, and a profit-related bonus, we are committed to supporting our employees' growth and well-being. Located in Leicester, our team enjoys access to onsite facilities, flexible working hours, and a strong focus on continuous improvement, making it a rewarding place to develop your career as a Fabric Developer.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fabric Developer - The Set
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend fabric fairs, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your fabric development projects and technical standards. This will help you stand out during interviews and give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Brush up on your knowledge of fabric performance and compliance standards. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in past projects and how you can contribute to continuous improvement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team and being part of the fabric development journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Fabric Developer - The Set
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Fabric Knowledge:Make sure to highlight your extensive fabric knowledge and any relevant qualifications in Textile Technology. We want to see how your experience aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your technical expertise!
Be Clear and Concise:When you’re writing your application, remember to keep it clear and straightforward. Use 'plain English' to explain complex technical details, as we need to ensure everyone can understand your insights, from designers to suppliers.
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills:We love a solutions-oriented mindset! Share examples of how you've tackled challenges in fabric development before. This will show us that you can think on your feet and find practical solutions when things don’t go as planned.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Next
✨Know Your Fabrics Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your fabric knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss different types of fabrics, their properties, and how they perform in various conditions. This will show that you have the expertise needed for the role and can contribute effectively to the team.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since you'll need to translate complex technical data into plain English, practice explaining fabric concepts in simple terms. This will help you demonstrate your communication skills and ensure that everyone, from designers to suppliers, understands your insights.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of past challenges you've faced in fabric development and how you resolved them. Highlight your solutions-oriented mindset and ability to identify risks early on, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
Be ready to discuss how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past. Share specific instances where you collaborated with design and buying teams to achieve a common goal, showcasing your ability to thrive in a multi-functional environment.
