Fabric Sourcing & Production Tech - The Set
NEXT Own Brand
Let's Take it On
£43,000 - £65,000
Market Harborough
What is The Set?
The Set, effortless, sophisticated, timeless, affordable pieces. We believe great design should be accessible for everyone, so we have created perfect multipacks and stand alone items, that mix and match effortlessly together so you can curate endless outfits.
The Set is Next's own groundbreaking brand. Our ambitious growth plans are already underway—and now, we’re looking for ambitious people to help us take this momentum to the next level.
Thanks to our success so far with the launch of our Womenswear range, we’re expanding into Menswear and Kidswear. This is your chance to join a team that doesn’t just dream big but delivers bigger.
What we are all about:
Affordable Style
Timeless Essentials
Effortless Trends
Here, you’ll own your vision, take charge of your creativity, and enjoy true autonomy. If you're ready to lead, innovate, and make your mark, The Set is where you belong.
Check out the current range here and for a look behind the scenes click here.
Step into The Set’s brand new Fabric Sourcing role! This is your chance to be at the forefront of innovation, shaping a cutting-edge team and crafting its identity from the ground up. You'll be pivotal in defining what’s possible and leave a lasting impact. Here’s how you can make an impact:
You'll enjoy the freedom to work independently while benefiting from the collaborative expertise of your wider team including Design and Buying.
Why this role?
We are looking for an expert in Fabric Sourcing and Production Tech to identify, communicate and deliver key fabric trends every season. This will be in line with the identified trends, sourcing challenges, inspirational and commercially viable fabric solutions for both long and short gain products. Providing sourcing support to buying departments to counter source fabric through alternative routes or for alternative price points.
What you'll be doing:
In this role, you’ll work hand-in-hand with Designers, sourcing exceptional fabrics that align with our brand's DNA across all genders and product categories. Your expertise will shine as you:
- Scout and source standout materials from suppliers that reflect our creative vision.
- Negotiate competitive costs to ensure the perfect balance of quality and value.
- Collaborate with mills and suppliers, presenting your findings to the Buying team with confidence and flair. It would be advantageous if you have the skills to technically approve fabric specifications
Trend Identification: Plan seasonal activities, including trade fair visits including New York,, Paris, Shanghai and collaborate with mills, trend resources, and travel to identify emerging fabric trends. Work closely with the design team to align fabric trends with seasonal garment stories. Present these trends to management and teams through engaging presentations, boards, and alerts.
Sourcing: Regular travel overseas where you will attend global trade fairs and exhibitions, organise mill and agent visits, and source innovative, commercial fabrics that meet trend and buying requirements. Respond quickly to specific fabric requests while managing costs and ensuring quality.
Trend Follow-Through: Collaborate with buying departments to integrate trends into ranges, attend range reviews, and ensure continuity of fabric stories. Support pre-selection and selection processes to address specific fabric needs and challenges.
About you
You’ll bring valuable experience from working with a UK brand or high street retailer and possess a genuine passion for trends, fabrics, and travel - key elements of this role. Your detailed knowledge of fabric bases, cost negotiation expertise, and ability to build strong mill relationships will set you apart.
As a clear and confident communicator, you excel at fostering relationships across the team and with external partners. You’re highly organised, commercially aware, and a collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment. If this sounds like you, we’d love to have you on board!
Your team
Join an extraordinary team where creativity, innovation, and a passion for excellence are at the heart of everything we do. Our team thrives on a shared enthusiasm for Sourcing and the pursuit of elevating every detail, blending cutting-edge innovation with expertise across multi-fabrications. This is your chance to be part of a collective that constantly pushes boundaries and sets new standards.
Having launched a fresh and exciting new range, we’re buzzing with energy and determination to make this truly stunning.
Your benefits
We’ll discuss more of what you’ll get when you work for Next at interview, but here’s an overview of what you can expect:
Profit–related bonus
Company car or car allowance
25 days holiday and the opportunity to buy more
Contributions into a pension scheme
Life assurance
Management shares
Group income protection
Private medical insurance
Sharesave scheme, which allows you to invest in Next and claim your share of our success
A fantastic cafe, serves you from breakfast, lunch and beyond
Free parking on-site
25% staff discount on most Next products – either in our stores or delivered directly to your desk
National and local discounts on goods and services
A digital GP healthcare service
Where will you be working?
This is a full time role based at ‘The Barn’ in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. Built in 2020, our teams here benefit from a creative, collaborative and open plan working environment that boasts comfort and exceptional design. It’s truly a great place to work.
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: .