River Island
Garment Technologist, Childrenswear Multi Product
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Garment Technologist, Childrenswear Multi Product
Technologist – Garment/Technical Product
Department: Garment Tech Location: Head Office, Chelsea House, West London
About the Role
The Garment/Product Technologist at River Island works closely with Buying, Design, and Supplier teams to ensure our products meet fit, quality, and performance standards that align with our brand’s strategy and global market requirements. You’ll be the key technical expert, driving compliance, product development, and supplier accountability while fostering cross-functional collaboration.
In this role, you will:
- Lead technical approvals and ensure product alignment with brand objectives
- Manage supplier relationships, risk assessment, and compliance with global legislation
- Support sustainability and ethical initiatives within the team
- Develop key shapes, grading tables, and standards while maintaining high-quality specifications
- Strengthen efficiency through right-first-time execution and rigorous quality control
The ideal candidate is a commercially aware, detail-oriented expert with hands-on experience in fit, materials, manufacturing, and supplier management. You must be passionate about our brand and eager to mentor junior team members as needed.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Compliance
- Act as the primary technical resource for Buyers, Designers, and Suppliers, ensuring:
- Fit, quality, and performance standards are met or exceeded across all departments
- Compliance with global legislation, certification requirements, and supplier KPIs
- Lead technical approval processes, including review of test reports and Certificates of Compliance
- Conduct risk assessments on production/safety pre-launch and collaborate with Buyers and Suppliers to mitigate risks
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current and evolving global standards relevant to sourcing and manufacture
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Product Development & Supply Chain
- Work with Buyers/Designers to develop blocks and key shapes per department/season
- Collaborate on grading tables for the assigned department
- Benchmark competitors through scraps, retros (customer returns), and "fit squad" trials
- Provide supplier feedback on quality, consistency, and fit alignment
- Ensure all processes comply with River Island’s "ways of working" to meet efficiency goals
Supplier & Stakeholder Management
- Mentor junior Technologists/Interns, setting objectives and providing constructive feedback
- Strengthen supplier relationships to foster accountability for RI processes
- Lead regular supplier performance reviews, identifying strengths and risks to inform departmental strategy
- Empower Suppliers to implement and own RI technical processes
- Contribute to sustainability and ethical compliance initiatives across the supply chain
Quality & Continuous Improvement
- Track and analyze product fit, quality, and return data to inform recommendations for Buyers
- Organize wearer trials and store visits to validate on-market performance
- Drive cross-functional collaboration where technical opportunities/review risks are identified
Key Experience & Requirements
Must have:
- Proven experience as a Technologist in retail or manufacturing, preferably in womenswear/sheers/outerwear
- In-depth knowledge of:
- Sizing, pattern-making, and grading
- Fabric/material behaviour and component selection
- Fit, manufacture, testing, and compliance legislation (e.g., REACH BioACC, SCS, OECD)
- Strong supplier management skills, with experience across multiple sourcing locations
- Commercial acumen, ensuring products align with brand strategy while meeting cost/quality targets
- A passionate interest in the River Island brand and global operational excellence
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Nice to have:
- Experience in sustainable/ethical sourcing or working with apparel industry standards
- Familiarity with ERP/quality management tools (e.g., NetSuite, QualiSoft)
From the River Island Team
Why Work Here?
We’re a dynamic, collaborative household (and market leader!) where independent thinking meets bold creativity. Our Head Office in Chelsea House, West London, is your creative and experienced hub.
Join us for: 💰 50% off on all River Island purchases (and a bargain staff shop on-site) 🛒 Financial wellness coaching via The Retail Trust, including discounts, mortgages, and pension advice 🏋️ Free onsite gym, subsidized café/restaurant (plus social events throughout the year*) 👨👩👧👦 Enhanced family support, including maternity/paternity adoption leave and fertility assistance (partnering with The Retail Trust) 🗓️ Flexible working, 25 days holiday (~+ optional purchase), plus early finish Fridays (+summer bonuses) 💼 Succession planning, upskill training programs, and certification support 🎁 Charity donations via matched Giving As You Earn (GAYE) and a designated benefit day each year
Diversity & Inclusion: We’re committed to fairness and equality—applying your right to flexible working by default and embracing all forms of difference. Protecting diversity, we warily uphold British values and safeguarding policies.
Proud to be equal opportunities—the next chapter begins here.
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