At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive fabric innovation and source trendy materials for our Menswear collections.
- Company: Join Next, a leading UK fashion retailer with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, staff discounts, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for international travel.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of menswear trends and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in fabric sourcing or design, with a passion for menswear.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with flexible core hours between 8am–6pm.
The Role: As a Fabric Sourcer for Menswear, you will be at the forefront of driving fabric innovation and trend-led newness across our Menswear divisions. Based at our Head Office in Enderby, Leicestershire, you will bridge the gap between global fabric trends and commercial retail reality, ensuring Next continues to set the standard in the UK market. By scouting the globe for the latest fabric developments, you will directly influence the tactile feel, quality, and aesthetic of thousands of Menswear products. You will work hand-in-hand with our fast-paced Menswear Design, Buying, and Technical teams, as well as an established network of global mills. From day one, Next offers a supportive environment with tailored onboarding and peer-to-peer mentoring to help you immerse yourself in our culture, understand our unique customer base, and thrive.
What You’ll Take On:
- Scout and Source: Exhaustive research, attend major global trade fairs (e.g., Paris, Shanghai, London Textile Fair), and visit mills to continuously gather inspiration and source new fabrics.
- Drive Trend Innovation: Translate global macro-trends into directional menswear fabric concepts, collaborating across Design, Buying, and senior management to pitch and present seasonal material strategies.
- Build Global Networks: Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with a diverse base of fabric mills and garment suppliers across multiple regions.
- Ensure Commercial Viability: Partner with product teams to discuss specific fabric requirements, ensuring all sourced materials align with Next's strict quality standards, price points, and delivery timelines.
What You’ll Bring:
- Creative Background: Experience as a Designer or Creative Buyer with a natural love for fabric and a passion for bringing material innovation to life.
- Industry Experience: A proven track record in fabric sourcing, design, or development for a UK high street brand, retailer, or garment supplier. We are eager to hear from specialists in Menswear or Womenswear who are excited to apply their expertise to our male apparel divisions.
- Product Aesthetic & Expertise: A deep understanding of fabric types and evolving trends, with a sharp eye for how they translate into the contemporary Menswear market.
- Strong Foundations: Ideally, a degree in Woven Textiles (or a related discipline) paired with an established mill network.
- Communication & Influence: The ability to communicate ideas clearly and passionately, building trusted relationships with both internal teams and external global suppliers.
- Organisation & Adaptability: Excellent organisational skills to manage multiple seasonal deadlines at once, alongside a genuine passion for trend research and international travel.
Portfolios: To help us get a feel for your style, please attach a digital portfolio to your application. We’re looking for work that demonstrates a sharp eye for the future of Menswear apparel, how your fabric choices are commercially viable for Next, alongside showcase designs, trend reports, and relevant CAD work. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.
Sponsorship: Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements.
Google Workspace: 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.
About Us: You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 44,000 people across the Next group. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 450 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 80 countries around the world!
About The Team: 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, pension, life assurance, group income protection, Wagestream, salary finance, 25% staff discount on most NEXT products, direct to work, VIP sale, access to NEXT staff shops, Octopus energy, free parking, Travel2NEXT, on-site dining facilities, national and local discounts on goods and services, Wellhub, Simply health, Aviva Digicare Workplace+ healthcare service, onsite GP, onsite Physio, a range of dedicated 3rd party wellbeing partners, free eye testing. 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.
Fabric Sourcer - Menswear in Leicester employer: Next
At Next, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. Based in Enderby, Leicestershire, our Head Office provides a supportive environment with tailored onboarding, flexible working hours, and numerous employee benefits, including generous holiday allowances, profit-related bonuses, and access to health and wellness resources. We are committed to your professional growth, ensuring you have the tools and opportunities to thrive in your role as a Fabric Sourcer for Menswear, while also enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fabric Sourcer - Menswear in Leicester
✨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!
✨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.
✨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.
✨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!
We think you need these skills to ace Fabric Sourcer - Menswear in Leicester
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.
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!
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. 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
✨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!
