Senior Garment Technologist

We have an exciting and _rare_ opportunity for a _lead_ role, **Head Garment Technologist, **to join premium occasionwear womenswear label, Lavish Alice, at our Northern Head Office.

Based in Manchester, Lavish Alice is home to our Creative, Buying, Merchandising, Marketing & PR, Visual Merchandising, E-commerce, Retail Operations and Finance teams, as well as our Customer Retail Support Centre. Lavish Alice HQ is a hub for creativity and innovation. Thanks to a contemporary, open-plan space, it’s easy for our close-knit team to remain exactly that.

**What’s the role all about?**

**Responsibilities**:

- Have a thorough understanding of luxury garment construction techniques, technical finishes and an in-depth knowledge of tailoring, corsetry, embellishment, lace, woven, brocade, velvet, silk, satin and other luxury specifications.
- The role will manage the running of the Technical Department and report into the Director
- Responsible and accountable for all aspects of the garment development process, making decisions and being responsible for managing all problems, concerns and issues to achieve workable solutions
- Oversee the Assistant Garment Technologist and work closely with Design and Merchandise departments
- Support the Design department to create the Design Packs and highlight areas of concern with construction in advance, whilst finding solutions to improve form and fit
- Create Initial Technical Specification Packs to enable suppliers to proceed with proto sampling to the highest standard. Whilst there are multiple sample stages, endeavour to achieve a high standard _first_ sample
- Prepare development samples for weekly fit meetings; this will include measuring, inspecting samples and making preparatory notes for discussion and updating fit trackers
- Oversee the coordination of the fit meetings and model in-line with sample in-take
- Knowledge and ability to confidently fit garments on the body in weekly fit meetings with the Design Team and Director and proactively make recommendations to achieve the desired form and fit
- Responsible for sending accurate and timely technical comments, liaising with suppliers to ensure technical information they have received is understood and technical standards are maintained
- Raise and submit to suppliers accurate Graded Specification Packs for production.
- Request Pre-Production Sample - measure, fit and final approval before production commences
- Liaise with wider team on any quality and fit issues that may arise, be proactive in resolving and implementing solutions to any problems
- Ensure critical path dates are met and proactively seek-out solutions to challenges faced
- Organise Tech Pack handover timings for Design and Technical teams
- Use technical expertise to help improve margin at concept stage and throughout sealing
- Occasional overseas travel to factories to maintain and develop effective and positive relationships with our account managers and suppliers
- Inform suppliers of quality issues and ensure appropriate action is taken to minimize risk of returns and markdowns
- Collate seasonal supplier review for the departments
- Build and maintain strong relationships with wider team members and supply base
- Continually review and suggest ways to improve department costs and efficiency.

**Fabrics and Trims**:

- Work with the design department before development starts to carry out ‘Risk Assessments’ on all product categories to highlight potential problems and to ensure all fabrics and trimmings are suitable for their end use
- Organise and document wearer trials where needed and feedback to the team on these results
- Manage testing program, working closely with suppliers on company requirements and expectations
- Review test reports and action approvals, suggesting any follow up actions required.
- Submit care label instructions and approve the care label and layouts for all garments
- Demonstrate an understanding of the legal requirements around têxtiles and care labelling.

**Returns**:

- Monitor Returns Reporting, customer feedback on fit, quality, fabrication and trimmings and be pro-active in resolving issues that arise
- Monitor in season customer returns, work with wider team to establish reasons and implement lessons learnt to minimise the risk of re-occurring problems
- Carry out seasonal hindsight reviews of returns
- Assist Quality Assurance team in carrying out audit checks and assessing returned items for quality issues
- Regular competitor analysis of construction techniques, trims, sizing, grading and overall form and fit.

**Essential Skills & Requirements**:

- Experienced Garment Technologist with significant experience within a mid-to-high end business
- At least 10 years' experience within the industry as a Garment Technologist and 5 year's as a Senior Garment Technologist
- Demonstrates full understanding of the required production standards
- Basic Pattern Making Skills and is competent and confident