Senior Garment Technologist

ROLE TYPE: Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Leave Cover, 12-month contract from May 2026 to July 2027)

DEPARTMENT: Design & Development

REPORTING TO: Head of Product

SALARY: Competitive

COMPANY PROFILE: Orlebar Brown (Chanel group) launched in March 2007 as a more tailored approach to men’s beach and swim shorts. Based on the traditional pattern of a tailored pair of trousers for men, and with their distinctive side fasteners, they are not just a swim short; they are the original and best shorts you can swim in. Today, our collections are built into broader lifestyles imagined around Beach, Resort, Coast and Sport. We have multiple product releases, including capsules, new categories and services, over the calendar year to maintain excitement, and interest for our customers. Since 2007, we have built the brand to achieve our stated purpose which is - to encourage, excite and inspire everyone to ‘Holiday Better’. This is our purpose and why we get out of bed every morning. The brand has rapidly gained global recognition and is sold through online, more than 30 O.B. stores, and the best retailers and hoteliers in the world.

THE POSITION: This maternity cover role is an opportunity for an enthusiastic, hardworking, methodical individual looking to really make their mark within a fast‑paced, young and rapidly expanding luxury lifestyle brand as Garment Technologist. Reporting to the Head of Product and Technical Services, you will be working between the Design, Development and Production teams to ensure all products are sealed on time according to the critical path and quality standards are clearly communicated to and achieved by all suppliers. You will work daily on a range of tasks including tracking all stages of garment and accessory development for your categories, establishing and approving graded spec charts, managing the prototype and pre‑production fitting and sealing process. You will also oversee the fabric and trim testing, Shipment Sample and AQL inspection process for your categories, offering guidance on quality levels. This role is central to the smooth running of the sealing process and quality management and an integral part of the Development and Supply Chain teams.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify current blocks for seasonal developments and where new blocks are required, work with the supplier base to establish these, creating measurement charts and pattern work from reference samples when required.
• Work with the Product Development and Production teams to ensure all styles are sealed on time (according to critical path).
• Manage the seasonal Garment Technology critical path, fit meeting schedule ensuring on‑time delivery of all prototype and pre‑production samples.
• Hold weekly catch‑ups with the Garment Technologist to review workload across fittings, labelling, testing, and shipment samples.
• Provide weekly updates to the Head of Product, highlighting any risks or issues that may impact SMS or bulk production delivery.
• Manage size standards across all product categories, ensuring the Garment Technology team establishes and maintains consistent fit and sizing standard for the brand.
• Manage the annual fit model budget and booking process for the brand, overseeing the Garment Technologists fitting schedule to ensure adequate fitting time and advance model booking for all seasonal needs.
• Document and issue fit comments to vendors, travelling to work directly with suppliers where needed, in line with the critical path.
• Launch and approve graded spec charts, monitoring correct and consistent grade rules across your vendors.
• Oversee the Garment Technology departments review of supplier performance, ensuring all information is gathered from the team, feeding back to the wider business where issues need highlighting on a seasonal and annual basis.
• Assessment of new seasonal fabric and trim development, logging all information and communication.
• Identification of any pre‑testing during the Proto or SMS development processes.
• Garment Dye and Wash approval and pre‑testing where required.
• Testing of new trim developments in line with the Orlebar Brown testing package.
• Set up and management of seasonal fabric and trim testing, for your categories, in line with the Orlebar Brown testing package.
• Leasing with suppliers and test houses where fabric and trim fail to meet requirements, proactively solving problems where possible.
• Set up, management and approval of seasonal Care Labelling in line with international standards.
• Identification of new testing and labelling requirements to allow for shipping goods world‑wide.
• Updating testing and labelling requirements when changes are made.
• Management and annual review of the Testing and Care Label sections within the supplier manual.
• On boarding of new mills and suppliers to make sure they fully understand Orlebar Brown’s testing and labelling requirements.
• Along with the other Garment Technologist, management of the Shipment Sample approval process.
• Action and management of the AQL inspection process where required.
• Leasing with suppliers and logging all inspection reports, feeding results back to the wider business quickly and effectively.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• A proven track record of confidently leading fitting sessions from Prototype stage through to Pre‑Production approval to bulk.
• Previous experience as a pattern cutter or working with development and production patterns an advantage.
• A solid knowledge of garment construction across all categories.
• A history of setting and achieving quality standards, appropriate to a high‑end/luxury brand, across a variety of product categories.
• A firm understanding of grading across Menswear (Childrenswear would also be an advantage).
• Experience working with fabric mills, trim suppliers and testing labs on testing and technical packages.
• A solid knowledge of international testing and care label standards across all fabric, yarns and product categories.
• A history of setting up testing and care label standards, appropriate to a high‑end/luxury brand, across a variety of product categories.
• A firm understanding the AQL process, bulk production audits and proactively solving issues without impacting bulk delivery.
• Organised and efficient – ability to multi‑task and prioritise.
• Organisational skills with experience of working to critical deadlines.
• Good communication skills with experience of liaising with a range of suppliers and other partners.
• Experience of working within a team.
• Good office and administration skills, with a systematic approach to logging information.

CANDIDATE PROFILE: Your key skills and attributes will include:

• Passionate about your work with an eye for detail and accuracy.
• Logically minded.
• Ability to travel to suppliers seasonally to work through development, production and review the AQL process as a when required.
• Enjoy working as part of a team and want to contribute to processes, which might enable others to fulfil their roles within the organisation.
• Self‑starter who is motivated with a disciplined approach to problem solving.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Being part of a diverse working environment of people who we learn from every day.
• The chance to train and develop your skills in a fast‑working environment.
• Competitive benefits package:

• Physical wellbeing: Private medical insurance covering pre‑existing medical conditions and the ability to add family members, an online GP app with 24/7 appointments, available within 24 hours, and cycle scheme participation for tax‑exempt bike and/or accessories purchase.
• Financial wellbeing: Company pension scheme.
• Lifestyle: Orlebar Brown and CHANEL product discounts and employee‑only sales.
• Employee Recognition: Service award incentives, 1‑week office closure in August to practice what we preach (paid leave and separate from 25 days annual leave plus UK public holidays).

It’s never just a job at Orlebar Brown. It’s a way of life. We live and breathe our brand values – Tailored, Vibrant and Brave. Our team define who we are and how we get the job done. At Orlebar Brown, we are focused on creating an inclusive culture that nurtures personal growth, contributing to collective progress. We believe the uniqueness of each individual increases the diversity, complementarity and effectiveness of our teams. We strongly encourage your application, as we value the perspective, experience and potential you could bring to Orlebar Brown. Direct applications only. Recruitment agencies – thanks for reading – but we’ve got this one covered!