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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fabric sourcing strategy and drive innovation in menswear fabrics.
- Company: Join Next, a leading FTSE-100 fashion retailer with a global presence.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, profit-related bonuses, and a generous staff discount.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fashion industry while travelling the world.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in fabric sourcing and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the Role
Our team of Designers, Technologists, Buyers, and Merchandisers at Next is dedicated to continuous innovation, focusing on emerging trends, elevating quality and expanding our offering for our extensive customer base.
As the Fabric Sourcing & Technology Manager within our Menswear department, you will play a pivotal, leadership role, directing the fabric sourcing strategy across the entire menswear department. This role requires a highly elevated taste level, strong technical knowledge and a love of newness. You will work alongside the Design Manager to identify key fabric trends well in advance of the season, initiating new fabric developments bespoke to Next’s Menswear division and continuously improving our quality standards.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Strategy, Leadership, and Impact
- Lead Strategic Direction: Formulate a vision, develop a strategy and lead your team to deliver.
- Drive Innovation: Spearhead the driving of new and bespoke fabrics and yarns, continually improving quality standards.
- Influence: Present the latest trends and innovations to the wider menswear floor, influencing key stakeholders to embrace newness.
- Team Management: Lead, mentor, and develop the team, fostering accountability and strong supplier relations.
- Sourcing, Development, and Negotiation
- Global Direct Sourcing: Strategically improve the fabric supplier portfolio through sourcing trips, focusing on direct sourcing.
- Market Intelligence: Attend major global trade fairs and key sourcing territories to identify innovations, gather intel, and secure long‑term strategic partnerships.
- Integrated Expertise: Apply technical knowledge (composition, structure, finish etc.), to create fabric perfect for the end use.
- Commercial Awareness: Ensure alignment of cost targets with brand positioning and value equation.
- Sourcing: Work closely with the garment tech manager to ensure fabrics are fit for purpose and that fabric and garment sourcing strategies are aligned.
- Quality, Risk, and Compliance
- Quality Assurance: Ensure all fabrics meet high quality standards (aesthetic and performance) and oversee production quality.
- Production Management: Provide the expertise to manage production of fabrics, overseeing critical paths to ensure on‑time delivery.
- Sustainability and Responsible Sourcing: Collaborate internally to understand Responsible Sourcing & Production Legislation. Ensure all materials meet sustainability requirements, assess and mitigate supply chain risks and drive responsible sourcing forward.
About You
You will have:
- Extensive experience with a proven track record of operating at a senior level within fabric sourcing, development and technology – ideally gained within a major UK or international fashion retailer or brand.
- Exceptional leadership qualities with experience managing, motivating and developing a team, including managing managers.
- A demonstrable, advanced knowledge of the global textile market, including complex supply chains, fabric construction, finishing processes, and commercial costing methodologies.
- A strong technical background and knowledge of all fabric types and processes is needed to ensure fabrics developed meet Next’s quality standards.
- Strong commercial awareness.
- Highly developed negotiation and influencing skills, capable of building and maintaining relationships with both internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
- A love of travel! The role requires frequent and extensive international travel to key sourcing regions and major global trade fairs.
Benefits include:
- 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, 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)
- Travel2NEXT – bus services dependent on location
- On‑site dining facilities (excluding London locations)
- National and local discounts on goods and services – this includes 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 third‑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 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 Sourcing & Technology Manager - Menswear in Leicester employer: Next
Contact Detail:
Next Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fabric Sourcing & Technology Manager - Menswear in Leicester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. 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 passion! When you get an interview, make sure to express your love for fabric sourcing and technology. Share your ideas on trends and innovations that excite you – it’ll show you’re not just looking for a job, but a chance to make an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Research common interview questions for fabric sourcing roles and practice your answers. Think about how your experience aligns with Next’s vision and be ready to discuss specific examples.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities tailored to your skills and interests.
We think you need these skills to ace Fabric Sourcing & Technology Manager - Menswear in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your extensive experience in fabric sourcing and technology. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on those impressive achievements!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through! We’re looking for someone who’s not just qualified but also passionate about menswear and fabric innovation. Share your love for the industry and what drives you to apply for this role.
Tailor Your Application: Just like you would tailor a suit, tailor your application to fit the job description. Use keywords from the job listing to show that you understand what we’re looking for and how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Next
✨Know Your Fabrics
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of different fabric types, their properties, and how they fit into the menswear market. Being able to discuss specific fabrics and their applications will show your technical expertise and passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about times when you mentored others or influenced key stakeholders. This will demonstrate your ability to manage and inspire a team, which is crucial for this position.
✨Stay Ahead of Trends
Research current and upcoming trends in menswear fabrics. Be ready to discuss how you would identify and implement these trends at Next. Showing that you have your finger on the pulse of the industry will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Since negotiation is a key part of this role, think of scenarios where you've successfully negotiated with suppliers or stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your approach and the outcomes, as this will highlight your commercial awareness and relationship-building skills.
