Overview
From our first store in the 1960s, a little Taunton shop with great clothes and even better prices, to an omni-channel business serving millions of customers… we're New Look.
Our purpose is always to inspire That New Look Feeling and we believe that starts with us. Our values motivate us every day: we play to win, we’re customer-obsessed and we work as one.
It's a busy and exciting time for the brand and we’re on the hunt for an established Technologist ideally with Denim experience to join our growing Tech team.
The Role
Responsible for managing multiple departments from first fit through to delivery. Develop and manage a range that meets customer requirements for quality and fit whilst maximising sales and profit opportunities and minimising returns. Negotiate with departmental supplier base to deliver consistent quality, fit and ways of working and facilitate better cost prices and lead times.
Ideally looking for someone with Denim experience.
Responsibilities
- Taking responsibility for fitting and sealing of multiple departments.
- Maintaining departmental quality, fit, testing and grading standards to uphold manual compliance.
- Working with buying, design and supply base to develop blocks, basic fit and quality standards to achieve right first-time sampling and support customer trends.
- Sharing ideas and developments with other product areas to ensure brand / product consistency.
- Conducting comprehensive product risk assessments and resolving issues before production.
- Managing the product development process from first fit through to production, liaising with design, buying, merchandising, suppliers, franchise, international, supply chain and E-Commerce as required.
- Developing the right product with the right supplier capabilities.
- Understanding product construction and suitability for mass production.
- Understanding how to adapt product to minimise costs.
- Negotiating effectively with external and internal teams to achieve desired quality/ fit objectives for the right price and timescale.
- Managing packaging and labelling requirements to ensure consistency of brand and international legal compliance.
- Conducting regular New Look store visits to identify faults and action improvements.
- Monitoring the market, identifying competitor advances in quality/ fit, and the potential to impact on departmental strategy.
- Applying in-depth knowledge of the current competitive market place and trends.
- Reviewing supplier compliance in a timely commercial manner to resolve quality issues.
- Reading, reviewing test reports through ‘Datalink’ and managing non-compliance and report trends to facilitate improvements.
- Reviewing grade rules to assess accuracy.
- Completing supplier/ factory/ testing laboratory/ distribution centre trips in line with departmental needs
- Providing advanced reporting on quality and fit returns in order to develop strategy, action improvements and inform decision making.
- Providing quality and fit input to SP packs.
- To be responsible for the motivation and development of direct reports
- Supporting with the development of fellow colleagues, delivering relevant training and support when required
- Communicate effectively with all internal and external teams
Technical Skills
- Ability to develop a product range with consistent quality and fit
- Ability to put together a comprehensive and clear design brief including measurements and fabric/ trim specifications
- Thorough understanding of product testing with the ability to review failed results commercially in line with the product.
- Understanding of size grading and how to adapt for styling
- Understanding of fabric and trim specs to ensure suitability for product type
- Knowledge of all the elements that make up the cost of a product
- Understanding of supply chain processes to aid right first-time sourcing (Product lead times/ supplier capability/ factory set up to/ etc)
- Understanding of factory processes to identify potential issues and cost saving opportunities (lay planning/ construction/ line flow/ etc)
- Ability to conduct a factory audit report, identifying shortfalls & implementing action plan
- An in-depth knowledge of how to review returns data to determine department strategy
- Developing and implementing departmental and business strategy
- Understanding of packaging and presentation of a product and the legalities
- Understanding of New Look brand and sub-brand strategy
- An in-depth knowledge of the current competitive marketplace (comparative shopping)
Other Essential Skills
- Skilled negotiation techniques
- Good interpersonal / communication skills
- Ability to line manage, motivate and develop team
- Ability to initiate and build strong relationships with Buying, Design and Merchandising
- Good influencing skills
- Risk assessment and SWOT analysis skills
- Numerical and analytical skills
- Organisational skills
Knowledge and Experience
- Previous experience – Junior Technologist with a major retailer/ supplier/ New Look – ideally with Denim experience
- Minimum level of education or qualifications (one of the below)
- Fashion Qualification / Other degree plus four years of technical experience
- If no fashion qualification at least 5 years of technical experience
Key Performance Indicators
- Fit comments processed within 48 hours of the fit (24 hours for 30 day supplier’s)
- Resolve Supplier Compliance DC issues within 48 hours
- Test reports reviewed on Datalink within 5 working days
- Analysis of returns data and implementation of improvements to deliver a reduction in faulty and fit returns
- Benchmarking/ New Look store visits and action measurable improvements
- Develop departmental technical strategy to devise product guidelines/ standards for the supply base
- Product sourced and delivered in line with the New Look supplier manual.
- A motivated team
Key Relationships
Internally
- QAA / Assistant Technologist / Junior Technologist
- Senior Technologist/ Technical Manager
- Directors & Heads of
- Buying, Merchandising and Design Team
- Fabric and Supply Base Team
- International/ 3rd Party / E-Commerce teams
- Distribution teams (Internationally)
Externally
- Suppliers
- Testing Laboratories
- Factories and Re-processors
Why New Look?
The amazing people, the fashion – there are so many reasons to love working at New Look. We prioritise development, offering training to support your progression, so you can be your absolute best and achieve your goals. You’ll also receive these amazing benefits, to name only a few:
40% staff discount
Monthly 25% off privilege vouchers for family and friends to enjoy
Season ticket loans
Pension – A contributory private pension scheme
Virtual GP access
Apply now to find out more.
We pride ourselves on being a flexible employer. Although this is a full-time role, our colleagues work a range of patterns. If you have a specific pattern in mind, we're keen to discuss this with you in line with the output needed for the role.
Location: London, W1W 8HJ
