Fabric Technologist - Childrenswear Nightwear & Underwear

Summary

Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.

The Role

Your primary goal is to champion quality and innovation at the very beginning of the product lifecycle. As a Fabric Technologist, you are the technical gatekeeper, ensuring every roll of fabric meets Next's rigorous standards for safety, durability, and performance before a single stitch is even sewn.

You won't just be checking boxes; you'll be making a tangible difference in the lives of our customers. By mastering the balance between aesthetic appeal and technical integrity, you ensure that:

• Safety Comes First: Children's clothing remains soft, secure, and compliant with global safety regulations.
• Quality Lasts: Parents can trust our products to survive the "playground test" wash after wash.
• Innovation Thrives: You'll help source sustainable and high-performance materials that keep Next ahead of the curve.

What You'll Take On

• Source and Develop: Identify and procure innovative yarns and fabrics by traveling directly to global factories, mills, and laundries to see production firsthand.
• Drive Innovation: Partner with suppliers to pioneer new fabric developments, keeping Next at the forefront of textile technology and performance.
• Elevate Quality: Set, review, and maintain rigorous technical standards for all materials, ensuring they exceed customer expectations for durability and comfort.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Act as an integral member of the product team, working alongside Designers and Buyers to translate trends into high-quality, viable products.
• Ensure Compliance: Guide the team through complex legal requirements and Next's internal guidelines to ensure every product is safe and fit for purpose.
• Manage Supplier Relations: Build and maintain strong partnerships with global suppliers to improve manufacturing processes and fabric consistency.

What You'll Bring

• 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-confidently advising on stretch, recovery, shrinkage, and durability.
• 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 squad 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. For further information please see:

Benefits

• Profit related bonus - based on company performance
• Management share options
• 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)
• National and local discounts on goods and services - this includes things like 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.
• 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.