Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.
Responsibilities
Working closely with a Fabric Sourcer and in partnership with Design and Buying teams, you’ll play a key role in shaping fabric development across all genders — ensuring every material is commercially sound and fit for purpose.
- Develop and maintain technical fabric standards, working within Next’s established requirements while actively looking for smarter, more efficient, and innovative ways of working.
- Ensure fabrics meet performance, quality, and compliance standards, supporting consistent product delivery across all categories and genders.
- Manage and build supplier relationships, working collaboratively to improve consistency, capability, and value.
- Problem‑solve at an early stage of development, identifying risks quickly and working with partners to find practical, cost‑effective solutions.
- Support continuous improvement, challenging existing processes where appropriate and contributing ideas to improve speed, efficiency, and product outcome.
- Work closely with our Fabric Sourcer, Design and Buying teams, translating creative direction and commercial needs into practical, viable fabric solutions across the range.
Qualifications
- 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.
- 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 team 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: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Profit‑related bonus based on company performance.
- Management share options.
- Company car or car allowance.
- 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, with the option for additional voluntary contributions.
- 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).
- Travel2NEXT – bus services dependent on location.
- On site dining facilities (excluding London locations).
- National and local discounts on goods and services, including 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.
- Onsite GP – Leicester Head Office.
- Onsite Physio – Leicester Head Office.
- 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.
EEO and Accessibility
We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long‑term condition, please email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (include ‘Workplace Adjustments’ in the subject line) or call 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.
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