From our first store in the 1960s, a little Taunton shop with great clothes and even better prices, to an omni-channel business serving millions of customers… we're New Look.
Our purpose is always to inspire That New Look Feeling and we believe that starts with us. Our values motivate us every day: we play to win, we’re customer-obsessed and we work as one.
It's a busy and exciting time for the brand and we’re on the hunt for a Junior Technologist to join our growing Quality team. This is a 12 month FTC.
The Role
To develop and manage a product offer that meets customer requirements for quality and fit, maximising sales and profit opportunities while minimising faulty and fit returns. As a Junior Technologist you will be responsible for managing your own department from first fit through to delivery.
Role Responsibilities
1. Take responsibility for fitting and sealing of a department
2. Maintaining departmental quality, fit, testing and grading standards to uphold manual compliance with support from your manager
3. Working with design and supply base to develop product briefs, providing accurate measurement and fabric requirements
4. Risk assess product and supplier capabilities to ensure correct quality standards are achievable
5. Manage the product development process from first fit through to production, liaising with design, buying, merchandising, suppliers, franchise, international, supply chain and E-Commerce as required
6. Understand product construction and suitability for mass production
7. Understand how to adapt product to minimise costs
8. Negotiate effectively with suppliers to achieve desired quality and fit objectives
9. Ensure full understanding of packaging and labeling requirements to ensure consistency of brand and quality
10. Conducting regular New Look store visits to identify faults and action improvements
11. Monitor the market, identifying competitor advances in quality/ fit, and highlight to managers
12. Monitor and manage weekly faulty returns using weekly reports and highlight to suppliers and BMD
13. Review supplier compliance in a commercial manner to resolve DC on holds within 48 hours of ‘Supplier Compliance Authorisation’
14. Manage test reports through ‘Datalink’
15. Completes factory/ testing laboratory/ distribution center trips in line with departmental needs
16. Providing reporting on quality and fit at department level in order to identify which areas to focus improvements with support from your manager
17. To be responsible for the motivation and development of direct reports in your department
Technical Skills
18. Good understanding of fit requirements for product area and ability to communicate clearly the relevant changes required to achieve an approved fit and required quality
19. Ability to put together a comprehensive and clear design brief outlining measurements and fabric requirements
20. Good understanding of product testing with the ability to review failed results commercially in line with the product
21. An understanding of grading and sizing
22. Understanding of fabric and trim requirements to ensure suitability for product type
23. Understanding of open costings
24. Understanding of supply chain issues, for example: lead times/ flexibility/ supplier capability
25. Start to understand factory processes to identify potential issues and cost saving opportunities (lay planning/ construction/ line flow/ etc)
26. Knowledge of the current competitive market place to identify relevant product developments in quality and fit
27. Understanding of labeling, packaging and presentation of a product to include legal compliance
28. Numerical and analytical skills in order to review returns data and grade rules
29. Risk assessment skills
Essential Skills
30. A strong eye for quality and fit
31. The capability to perform under pressure and work in a fast paced environment
32. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and influence the buying team and suppliers
33. Skilled negotiation techniques
34. Ability to line manage, motivate and develop team
35. Good influencing skills and resolution techniques
36. Organisational skills
Knowledge and Experience
37. Previous experience in quality with a major retailer / supplier/ department within New Look
Minimum level of education or qualifications (one of the below)
38. Minimum of three years technical work experience
Why New Look?
The amazing people, the fashion – there are so many reasons to love working at New Look. We prioritise development, offering training to support your progression, so you can be your absolute best and achieve your goals. You’ll also receive these amazing benefits, to name only a few:
39. 40% staff discount
40. Monthly 25% off privilege vouchers for family and friends to enjoy
41. Season ticket loans
42. Pension - A contributory private pension scheme
43. Virtual GP access
Apply now to find out more.
We pride ourselves on being a flexible employer. Although this is a full-time role, our colleagues work a range of patterns. If you have a specific pattern in mind, we're keen to discuss this with you in line with the output needed for the role.