Ladieswear Apparel Technologist
An Apparel Technologist plays a crucial role in the fashion and clothing industry, ensuring the development and production of high-quality apparel by applying technical expertise in garment construction, fabric properties, and industry standards. This role involves collaborating with buyers, design teams, suppliers, and manufacturers to address technical issues and maintain product quality.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Sample Development and Approval:
- To provide technical support to buyers and suppliers as necessary.
- Manage the specific area’s sample approval process within SLA.
- Development of new specs
2. Fabric and Material Analysis:
- Fabric testing outcome input to ensure ultimate customer satisfaction.
3. Quality Control:
- Review of failed inspection reports and manage final outcome discussions.
- Ensure import orders are released on the Shipping system.
- Collaborate with Quality inspectors as required on final inspection failures where commercial decisions may be required.
4. Supplier Relationship:
- Work closely with suppliers to communicate technical requirements and address any production challenges.
- Provide technical support and training to high risk suppliers to ensure adherence to quality standards.
5. Supplier Relationship:
- Maintain accurate records of sample performance, textile testing results, and quality control outcomes on TFG’s systems.
- Support management with style specific information to improve high risk supplier quality performance.
6.Innovation and Improvement:
- Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and new materials to drive innovation and improvement.
- Facilitate Seasonal Fit Workshops and Material Best practices to be researched and presented to relevant stakeholders.
- To conduct Product Benchmarking as required by the relevant Brand.
7. Post production
- To regularly monitor the quality standards of delivered goods to stores, customer returns & the quality standards of product within the stores of our major competitors
- Answer and follow up customer complaints regarding quality and undertake relevant investigation as required.
- To manage the stores returns process when Technical input is required
Qualifications & Experience:
- A minimum of 8 to 10+ year experience in the retail or apparel manufacturing environment
- Must have a relevant technical apparel related qualification (Degree/ Diploma)
- Must have a keen interest in retail, apparel and quality assurance
Skills:
- Excellent MS Office expertise
- Ability to easily adjust to work on new systems for data capturing purposes
- Ability to use initiative
- An eye for detail
- Exceptional organisational skills
- Ability to work independently as well as within a team
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Exceptional verbal and written communication
- Excellent problem-solving skills
Behaviours:
- Builds Networks - establishes and nurtures internal and external relationships in order to create robust, and mutually beneficial, partnerships
- Collaborates - effectively works with others to achieve shared goals
- Communicates Effectively - conveys information and communicates ideas in a clear, concise and impactful manner
- Customer Focus - understands, anticipates, and meets the needs and expectations of customers
- Ensures Accountability - takes accountability and ensures others are held to account on agreed upon performance targets
- Manages Complexity - interprets and simplifies complex and contradictory information when resolving organisational problems
- Persuades - effectively influences others by gaining support and commitment in the delivery of organisational goals and objectives
- Plans and Aligns - develops plans and prioritises initiatives that align to the organisational goals and objectives
Preference will be given, but not limited to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act.
Who we are is because of our people. They are our greatest asset. TFG is an internationally diversified retail portfolio of 34 speciality lifestyle and apparel brands that Inspire our Customers to live their Best Lives and are woven into the lives of millions. Our vision is to create the most remarkable omnichannel experiences for our customers. TFG is more than a workplace, it's a launchpad for your growth. Join us and explore endless growth opportunities across our diverse brands. We’re a purpose-led business, and on this team, you’ll share the pride of making an impact across a whole industry.
We’re the designers, the makers, the shakers and the teams behind the scenes.
Are you with us?