The Role
Lead technical approval and product development for childrenswear, ensuring fit, quality, compliance and supplier performance. Manage test reports, risk assessments, grading, blocks, supplier relations, and contribute to standards, sustainability and ethical objectives.
Summary Generated by Built In
The 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.
The 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.
Key Accountabilities:
- Leads the technical approval process on their department/s - and is the ‘go to’ person for all matters relating to 'Technical’.
- Identifies opportunities or risk which may lead to cross functional collaboration/ initiatives.
- Works with suppliers and buying teams to establish opportunities for improvements.
- Leads 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.
- Responsible for ensuring River Island ways of working are followed by buyers, designers and suppliers for all technical processes, in order to achieve KPI’s of efficiency, consistency and ‘right first time’
- Responsible for risk assessment of both production and safety (prior to production) and collaborates with supplier and buyer to minimise risk and ensure compliance.
- Responsible 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.
- Develops 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)
- Contributes to the development and maintenance of the relevant grading tables for the department.
- Regularly 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.
- Maintain a knowledge of current and changing global legislation – and ensure compliance at product level.
- Contribute to setting, reviewing and communicating standards and manuals in collaboration with other River Island Technical/ Compliance.
- Regular communication with suppliers to encourage understanding of and commitment to River Island ways of working as well as achievement of fit and quality standards.
- Conduct regular reviews of supplier performance according to agreed KPI’s and support suppliers to improve.
- Feeds Into the dept supplier strategy – highlighting technical strengths and risks of key suppliers
- Develop and empower suppliers to take accountability for management of RI processes
- Sustainability – support the Sustainability team in achieving their objectives
- Ethical - Support the ethical team in achieving their objectives.
Key experience required:
- Previous experience as a Technologist in a Retail or Manufacturing Technical environment is required.
- Good understanding of sizing, pattern making and grading
- Good relevant knowledge of fabric/materials/ components
- Previous 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
- Good experience of working across multiple sourcing locations
- Supplier management experience
- Strong interest in product and the River Island brand is essential.
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. Check us out here on a map.
What we can offer you:
💰 Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site!
🛒 Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through the Retail Trust.
🎉 A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill you needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
🤎 Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!
💻 Flexible working, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.
💕 Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year and receive matched funding.
🎓 Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.
💰 A generous bonus scheme & private pension plan.
☀️ 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!
This role is based at our Head Office in West London. Check us out here on a map.
What we can offer you:
💰 Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site!
🛒 Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through the Retail Trust.
🎉 A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill you needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
🤎 Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!
💻 Flexible working, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.
💕 Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year and receive matched funding.
🎓 Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.
💰 A generous bonus scheme & private pension plan.
☀️ 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!
Keeping You Safe
At River Island we are committed to the safeguarding of all of our employees regardless of age or job role. We will fulfil our obligation under the Prevent duty which seeks to stop extremism and extremist views from materialising in our business. We promote and encourage the belief in British Values- including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. To find out more, please visit www.gov.uk.
Our Island is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise. To find out more about this interview process, check out our hiring process below.
Our Island is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise. To find out more about this interview process, check out our hiring process below.
Skills Required
- Previous experience as a Technologist in a Retail or Manufacturing Technical environment
- Good understanding of sizing, pattern making and grading
- Knowledge of fabrics, materials and components
- Knowledge and understanding of fit, manufacture, testing, compliance and legislation relevant to product area
- Experience working across multiple sourcing locations
- Supplier management experience
- Strong interest in product and the River Island brand
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The Company
What We Do
Family owned from day one, we’ve been a big part of life on the UK high street for over 70 years. Today, still guided by shared values and a clear focus on our customers, we’re one of the strongest and most successful fashion brands around. And we’re changing like never before – exploring new ways to connect with our customers in person and online. And our talented Islanders are thinking differently about everything from products and stores to wellbeing and sustainability. The result is an energising culture you’ll love, work that’ll stretch you, a career you can build and a brand you’ll be proud to belong to. This is life on the island. Come and be part of it.
