Garment Technologist

Department: Garment Tech

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Head Office, Chelsea House

DescriptionThe Garment / Product Tech department at River Island supports the Buying and Design teams to ensure product fit and quality is in line with our brand strategy and values and is compliant in all markets/ channels in which we trade. This is achieved through strong Buying team, Design team and Supplier relations. A strong commercial awareness and application is essential. 

\nThe Technologist is recognised by peers, buying and design teams and suppliers as a knowledgeable Technical resource who leads the achievement of established standards of fit, quality and performance for the department/s, in line with the critical path and brand priorities; is responsible for ensuring the product is fit for purpose and aligned with brand objectives. 

\n\nKey Accountabilities: \nMay be required to manage a junior member of the team – e.g., junior technologist / student. Includes mentoring, setting objectives to be achieved and ensure they are being worked towards; providing timely feedback and support to enable that person to work to the best of their ability. \nLeads the technical approval process on their department/s - and is the ‘go to’ person for all matters relating to 'Technical’. \nIdentifies opportunities or risk which may lead to cross functional collaboration/ initiatives. \nWorks with suppliers and buying teams to establish opportunities for improvements.  \nLeads the product development and approval process of the department to ensure delivery is compliant to all RI standards (fit, quality, performance and compliance) including those of wholesale partners and all markets in which River Island has a presence.  \nResponsible for ensuring River Island ways of working are followed by buyers, designers and suppliers for all technical processes, to achieve KPI’s of efficiency, consistency and ‘right first time’ \nResponsible for risk assessment of both production and safety (prior to production) and collaborates with supplier and buyer to minimise risk and ensure compliance. \nResponsible for approval of test reports and Certificates of Compliance in line with our standards and requirements; manages failures in line with commercial limits and standards. \nDevelops blocks and key shapes in collaboration with Buyer / Designer relevant to department and season; ensures distribution to and understanding of all relevant stakeholders (including Designers, Suppliers and Home Production) \nContributes to the development and maintenance of the relevant grading tables for the department. \nRegularly reviews quality and fit of delivered product through store visits, wearer trials; ‘Fit squads’, benchmarking exercises and ongoing analysis of customer returns information; feedback/ challenge suppliers where necessary to ensure standards are maintained or exceeded and fit remains consistent and relevant. Recommends appropriate actions to buying team where relevant. \nMaintain a knowledge of current and changing global legislation – and ensure compliance at product level. \nContribute to setting, reviewing and communicating standards and manuals in collaboration with other River Island Technical/ Compliance.   \nRegular communication with suppliers to encourage understanding of and commitment to River Island ways of working as well as achievement of fit and quality standards. \nConduct regular reviews of supplier performance according to agreed KPI’s and support suppliers to improve. \nFeeds Into the dept supplier strategy – highlighting technical strengths and risks of key suppliers \nDevelop and empower suppliers to take accountability for management of RI processes \nSustainability – support the Sustainability team in achieving their objectives \nEthical - Support the ethical team in achieving their objectives  \n
\nKey experience required: \nPrevious experience as an experienced Junior or Garment Technologist in a Retail or Manufacturing Technical environment is required.  \nGood understanding of sizing, pattern making and grading \nGood relevant knowledge of fabric/materials/ components \nPrevious experience demonstrating a good knowledge and understanding (relevant to product area) of fit, manufacture, testing, compliance/ legislation and other technical aspects relevant to the product area  \nGood experience of working across multiple sourcing locations \nSupplier management experience  \nStrong interest in product and the River Island brand is essential. \nExperience working across newborn/baby would be preferential\n
\nJob role competencies: \nSelf-starter, highly organised, able to prioritise  \nGood verbal and numerical reasoning skills  \nDisciplined and conscientious, results oriented  \nExcellent communication skills  \nCollaborative and builds good relations with peers/ stakeholders  \nAgility and ability to absorb change in line with business priorities \nResilient \nCommercial awareness and application in day-to-day decision making.  \nStrong Excel skills essential \n Positive influencing skills \n

About Us We’re a much-loved brand with an exciting future. Our Islanders are a diverse bunch of bright, talented people who love working together – and are proud of the work they do.  Progression here can take you in all kinds of directions. This is what a career at River Island is like. And this is where yours starts.

This role is based at our Head Office in West London.