At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape fabric development and ensure materials meet performance and quality 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 opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fashion industry while working with cutting-edge materials.
- Qualifications: Textile Technology qualification and experience in managing fabric lifecycles.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ 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.
Sponsorship
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements.
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 headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line) or call 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.
Fabric Developer - The Set in Market Harborough employer: Next
At NEXT, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Fabric Developer, you'll enjoy flexible working hours, extensive benefits including private medical insurance and a generous holiday allowance, and opportunities for professional growth within a supportive team environment. Our commitment to employee wellbeing and development, combined with our vibrant Leicester location, makes NEXT a truly rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fabric Developer - The Set in Market Harborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at NEXT or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your fabric knowledge! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, be ready to discuss your experience with different fabrics and how you've tackled challenges in the past. This will demonstrate your expertise and passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to fabric development. Think about how you can showcase your problem-solving skills and collaborative spirit. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
✨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, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at NEXT.
We think you need these skills to ace Fabric Developer - The Set in Market Harborough
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!
Keep It Clear and Concise:When you’re writing your application, remember to keep your language clear and straightforward. We love a good technical detail, but make sure it’s easy for everyone to understand — think of it as translating complex data into 'plain English'!
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills:We’re looking for someone who can tackle challenges head-on. Share examples of how you’ve identified risks early in the development process and found practical, cost-effective solutions. This will show us you have that solutions-oriented mindset we value.
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’s super easy — just follow the prompts and you’ll be all set!
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. Understand the technical lifecycle of fabrics and be ready to discuss how different materials behave under various conditions. This will show that you’re not just familiar with fabrics, but that you can also spot potential performance issues.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice translating complex technical data into simple terms. You’ll need to explain your ideas to Designers and Buyers, so being able to communicate effectively is key. Consider preparing a few examples where you've successfully done this in the past.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific instances where you identified risks early in the development process and how you found practical, cost-effective solutions. This will demonstrate your solutions-oriented mindset and ability to think on your feet.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Highlight your experience working in multi-functional teams. Share examples of how you’ve collaborated with others, especially in challenging situations. This will show that you thrive in a team environment while also being capable of taking initiative when needed.
