Paul Smith
Head of Fabric (Maternity Cover)
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About Paul Smith
Paul Smith is one of Britain’s leading independent design companies, driven by a spirit of curiosity, playfulness, adaptability, and passion. These values shape every aspect of the brand, whether it’s a shirt, a shop, or a special collaboration. Reaffirming the values that Paul set down in 1970, ‘classic with a twist’ remains the guiding principle of the company. Happily positioned between high fashion and formalwear, while taking reference from both, Paul Smith has always been proud to stand apart.
Role Overview
We're looking for an experienced Head of Fabric to lead the fabric function across our collections on a maternity cover basis. You will drive the sourcing, development, and delivery of innovative fabrics that reflect Paul Smith's distinctive design aesthetic, exceptional quality, and commercial objectives. This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with Design, Product Development, Buying, and Production, whilst leading the fabric team, managing the fabric critical path from initial concept through to bulk approval, and building strong partnerships with international mills and suppliers. This is a highly collaborative role requiring exceptional organization, commercial awareness, and a passion for textile innovation.
Start date: mid-September 2026
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the seasonal fabric strategy across all product categories, including special projects.
- Source and develop innovative woven and jersey fabrics aligned with the creative vision and commercial requirements.
- Research new fabric technologies, finishes, and manufacturing techniques.
- Identify opportunities to enhance quality, performance, sustainability, and cost, presenting seasonal fabric developments to the wider product team.
- Build and nurture strong relationships with international mills and fabric suppliers, negotiating pricing, minimum order quantities, and development timelines.
- Represent Paul Smith at supplier meetings, fabric fairs, and development trips, driving continuous improvement in quality, innovation, and service.
- Manage the seasonal fabric critical path from concept through to bulk approval, ensuring fabric availability aligns with garment development deadlines.
- Coordinate lab dips, strike-offs, handlooms, sampling, and bulk approvals, while resolving technical fabric challenges in collaboration with Product Development and Production.
- Lead and mentor the Fabric team, setting priorities, and allocating workload across seasonal developments.
- Work closely with Design to translate creative concepts into commercially viable fabric solutions, while collaborating with Buying, Merchandising, Production, and Technical teams to ensure a seamless transition into bulk manufacturing.
- Drive the use of responsible materials and support the brand's sustainability objectives.
- Ensure fabrics meet required testing, compliance, and performance standards.
- Champion responsible material choices and ensure fabrics meet required testing, compliance, and performance standards.
- Monitor fabric costs and support margin objectives through effective supplier negotiations and cost optimization initiatives.
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Qualifications
- Significant experience in luxury or premium fashion fabric development.
- Previous experience working with menswear and tailoring.
- Highly knowledgeable in woven and jersey fabric construction, development, and performance.
- Extensive knowledge of global fabric mills, suppliers, and sourcing markets.
- Experienced in managing complex fabric critical paths across multiple collections.
- Excellent supplier management and negotiation skills, with the ability to build long-term partnerships.
- Strong leadership experience with the ability to coach and develop a team.
- Highly organized, with exceptional project management skills and the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign.
- Able to travel throughout the season if and when required.
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Why Join Us?
Working at Paul Smith means being part of a brand that celebrates creativity, individuality, and authenticity. Even though we are a global business, we’ve stayed true to who we are at heart. Our offices and shops remain welcoming and inclusive spaces built around collaboration, where we encourage our people to be themselves, reach their full potential, and play a part in creating something truly unique.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive benefits package to support your lifestyle and wellbeing
- 60% staff discount
- Seasonal clothing allowance
- Flexi-time
- 33 days’ annual leave with the option to buy or sell holiday days
- Private healthcare with Vitality
- Wellbeing support
- Other perks to keep you motivated and inspired
At Paul Smith, we celebrate and encourage applications from all walks of life into our growing workforce. We are committed to empowering people from any background, belief system, or ethnicity, offering an inclusive environment where talent is recognized and valued.
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