Footwear & Accessories Technologist

Triple Wimbledon champion Fred Perry founded his brand in 1952. He was the son of a cotton spinner, who played and fought his way through, always with style – and despite the establishment. Today, Fred Perry is a global community of over 370 employees, all inspired by the Laurel Wreath and what it represents

PURPOSE:
The Footwear and Accessories Technologist will be based within our technical department, covering all products within the Fred Perry footwear and accessories range across men's & women's.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advising key component, measurement and construction detailing to design/development packs to facilitate production of prototype samples
• Assessing all samples during the earliest stages of the development process in collaboration with designer and product developer, pro-actively influencing decisions where necessary.
• Updating product packages with comprehensive comments and sample feedback, providing technical instructions to the supply base.
• Full ownership of product from SMS stage to bulk production, fitting and approval of graded size charts for production, approving all fabric and trim testing.
• Maintaining technical sample tracker to track approval processes of products.
• Maintaining an accurate critical path from proto sample to bulk production stage in conjunction with the product development and production planning teams.
• Assessment, risk analysis and management of all potential new fabric and trim developments as well as bulk fabric, prints and trims, managing and influencing suitability and compatibility.
• Working closely with the product development teams to review responsible and sustainable fabric and trim alternatives, and review necessary certification needed, keeping on top of the validity of all certificates for all responsibly sourced fabrics and trims in the range.
• Reviewing base and bulk test reports of all fabrics and trims and maintaining legal and accurate fibre analysis for care labels. Maintaining fabric testing matrix
• Liaising with 3rd party technical bodies to optimise the support received.
• Liaising with suppliers and factories during the production to ensure technical issues are supported with clear and timely decisions to ensure shipment dates are achieved.
• Assessing production/shipment samples meet all quality, labelling and packaging requirements. Assessing final AQL inspection reports, liaising with the production department to facilitate the maintenance of required ex-factory dates.
• Liaising with retail and distribution partners to gain product feedback, assessing garment returns to improve future product development
• Proactively seeking to improve products and processes both internally and externally with accurate analysis and improvement proposals
• Ensuring brand standards for colours, embroideries and constructions are monitored and maintained across seasons.

THE PERSON:

• Strong Technical knowledge across a variety of products across footwear & accessories.
• Good knowledge of construction and manufacturing methods.
• Working knowledge of the requirements of REACH, risk analysis and product safety.
• The ability to effectively communicate across internal departments and external sources,
both orally and in writing, adapting approach and style of dependant on both recipient and severity of subject
• Knowledge of fabric, lab testing and assessment of results.
• Ability to work in a structured and timely manner under pressure within a team environment, meeting deadlines, across multiple seasons and suppliers.
• Motivated to improve the product at every stage and strive for the highest achievable quality.
• Confidence in decision making and problem solving.
• Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint & Teams (Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator).
• Experience of PLM & Interlink systems.

HOURS:

We actively encourage our teams to have a good work/life balance and so we are pleased to offer flexible working shifts at Fred Perry HQ. Our core shift hours are from 10am – 4.30pm and so employees can choose to start and finish early, or start and finish late. (i.e. work 8:00am-4:30pm, or 10:00am-6:30pm etc). We also have 30-minute early finish on Fridays.

As we continue to work in a more flexible way, the Head Office acts a brand hub, where we can all connect and collaborate with one another. This role is a mix of office based (London) and remote working. We will expect the employee to come into the office regularly for face-to-face meetings and to work alongside their team on collaborative projects.

BENEFITS:

We are proud to offer a wide range of benefits to all our staff, and continue to reassess what our community needs from us to thrive. We don’t want to be a good company to work for, we want to be a great one. Here are some things we currently offer:

• Annual performance-related bonus

• Competitive salary

• Generous staff discount and regular sample sales

• Generous pension scheme with 8.5% company contribution

• Option to buy an extra 5 days holiday annually

• Enhanced maternity and paternity packages

• Life insurance

• Private healthcare

• Cycle to work scheme

• Early finish Fridays

• Season ticket loan

• Additional benefits with long service

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

• Annual Birthday vouchers

• EAP

• Social Events

We actively welcome applications from people of all different backgrounds. Your CV will be submitted to hiring managers with all personal details hidden to ensure anonymity.