Trim Technologist Manchester, England
Job description
Castore exists for one single reason – to make athletes better. Our ethos is built upon the philosophy of BETTER NEVER STOPS, an ideal deeply infused in our DNA and something we strive to live every single day. We utilise advanced engineering and unique technical fabrics to create the highest quality sportswear in the world for athletes who demand the very best. Designed with a passion for innovation with specialist features to help to optimise athletic performance in all conditions.
The founders’ vision is to build Castore into a brand respected across the globe for a deep and unrelenting commitment to engineering the highest quality sportswear in the world, with no stone left unturned in its search for innovation and performance enhancement.
The sportswear market has been dominated by a small clique of mass-market brands and the vision is for Castore to be a premium alternative to these, the natural brand of choice for discerning athletes who demand the very best.
What’s the Job?
Accountable for maintaining accurate trim records used across the business; assisting with the sourcing and development of seasonally relevant trim materials that are aligned to the creative direction, commercial briefs, and range-plans. Understand and adhere to key dates and gates so that orders can be placed on-time and according to the seasonal calendar.
What will I do?
Support the creative vision for the Castore brand and ensure execution within trim and heat transfer applications.
Develop and/or approve trims and heat transfer applications from across the business ensuring they are fit for purpose and meet all required quality standards.
Ensure all trim and heat transfer costs are clearly understood and controlled to best achieve garment target prices.
Be responsible for trim and heat transfer quality including any associated testing and approvals.
Assist in managing and maintaining an accurate data base for internal and external reporting ensuring accurate seasonal records of trims and heat transfers against quality, source, price, MOQ, LT, tooling costs etc evolving as the business needs require.
Develop and foster strong working relationships with direct vendors, acting when needed to resolve cost, quality, and delivery issues.
Develop working relationships with factories (with self-nominated fabric vendors) to support product developers when required on cost, quality, and delivery issues.
Build and maintain a thorough understanding of the trim and heat transfer supply base, exploring and proposing alternative sources when/where appropriate.
Ensure the apparel design/development calendar is clearly understood and upheld
Manage your individual workload and all timelines to ensure trim and heat transfers are available as needed.
Provide clear updates on all projects and developments keeping status tracking documents up to date.
Be a role model, maintaining a positive attitude and supporting the broader team.
Process:
Participate in the design process, identifying opportunities for trim and heat transfer selection and the application of innovation.
Identify potential challenges regarding critical paths or dates and raise awareness immediately.
Together with the Product Developers and Designers, review all designs prior to going into development to ensure alignment with the commercial brief and the brand plan.
Participate in weekly team meetings, identifying and raising any risk to key dates, associated impacts providing options to get back on-track where required.
Identify any associated product risk informing the product development and garment tech teams of any concern which would require consideration on care & content or associated product labelling.
Work alongside product developers to review prototypes prior to being approved for bulk ensuring trims are fit for purpose.
What skills and qualities will I need?
- Minimum of 1-2 year working in similar materials positions driving material needs across a business.
- Excellent planning and organisation skills with the ability to ensure information, facts and figures are accurate and free from mistakes.
- Ability to work cross-functionally, liaising with peer groups across the business to drive efficiencies and results.
- Computer literacy Excel, Word, Outlook, adobe a plus but not essential
- Working within strict deadlines and able to be adaptive to changes.
- Confident working with people at all levels of the organization (internal and external) participating in discussions on issues in a way that demonstrates collaboration to ensure the best outcome.
- Comfortable in a fast-paced and ever-changing business environment with the ability to respond as needed within an appropriate timeframe.
- Flexible approach and willingness to further learn.
Personal Qualities:
- Requires excellent interpersonal skills, must be approachable, personable with a positive attitude, willing to help and provide support as needed.
- Excellent written Communication, ability to present thoughts and ideas on paper clearly, concisely, and accurately.
- Able to make decisions on work issues that impact the successful completion of tasks
- A team player
- Have a Better Never Stops Attitude
- Ability to travel and work effectively across multiple cultures as and when required.
- Passion for the brand
