Fabric Specialist

PORTWEST, a leading global manufacturer of safety wear, workwear and PPE is currently seeking applications for the position of Fabric Specialist to be based within a commuting distance of our Fuzho offices.  Portwest is one of the fastest growing workwear companies in the world currently employing over 5,300 staff worldwide, with customer service staff in over 130+ countries and 11 Global warehouses in UK, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain, UAE, USA and Australia. We design, manufacture and distribute market leading workwear, safety wear and PPE in fully owned production facilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Fabric Specialist you will be responsible for building relationships with the key fabric mills globally and collecting new fabric trends and finishings.  You will need to have in-depth knowledge of fabrics, especially those fabrics relating to the workwear/safetywear industry but also the athletics and sports industries, fully understanding the fabric constructions, the different finishes and how those fabrics will function within our industry.

   You will be responsible for articulating global fabric insights, trends and innovations and understand on how those will impact or benefit our Workwear/Safetywear products. This role will involve national and international travel to Fabric Industry Trade Shows where you will seek out new fabric sources and technologies, with a view to being able to work with Asian fabric mills to recreate what you've found.

Among your key responsibilities will include:

Development and Innovation 

• Working with key mills to drive new high-performance fabric development for new and existing ranges
• Attend fabric trade fares and present regular fabric trend updates to product development team, focused on high performance textiles.

• Keep abreast of new fabric suppliers for new sources and innovation e.g those supplying sports, motorcycle, Ski industry, as well as leading sports and workwear brands.

 Negotiation and value Creation  

• A highly Commercial individual with a value driven approach to fabric souring.
• Working closely with mills and manufacturers to gain full transparency of their supply chain.
• Ensuring necessary audits are in place

Quality  

• Deliver solutions to improve fabric processes to ensure consistency in fabric quality.
• Interpret fabric test reports and suggest additional testing parameters that could be set to improve fabric performance.

• Work with designers and material suppliers, in order to set and agree the correct specifications enabling fit for purpose product to be produced

• Work with Product team to review and update all existing fabric specifications/tech packs

• Upskill the current fabric and product manager team with greater technical fabric / materials knowledge

• Ensure that all materials selected, perform to the specified technical standards and meet UK and European legislation requirements with regard to chemical composition and material finishes.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree educated with a Materials Science or Fabric Technology related degree
• Minimum 5 years’ experience within a similar Fabric Technologist, Product Textile Technologist role within workwear or performance apparel industry.
• A good working knowledge of technical requirements of colour perception and evaluation, and the methods required for setting and testing material specifications.
• Fluent written and spoken English and Mandarin

• Experience working with fabric mills on development and quality control.
• Knowledge on sustainable fabric technology desirable
• Knowledge on specific workwear standards/requirements Hivis and FR a distinct advantage

• Willing to travel internationally if required by the business

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE

We offer a competitive remuneration package working within an experienced and driven team. You will be supported with training and excellent opportunities for further career progression.

WHAT TO DO NOW

Please apply today with an up-to-date CV outlining your skills for this position.

COMPANY AWARDS 

• Great Place To Work 2023 
• Best Medium Sized Workplaces 2022 
• Ibec Leading in Wellbeing Top 100 companies 2021 
• Portwest CEO - Business Man Of The Year - In Business Ireland 2020 
• Deloitte Best Managed Companies 2016-2023 
• Private Irish Business of the Year Export Industry Awards 2019 
• Exporter of the Year 2018 
• Portwest CEO - EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 

Portwest do not support visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have a right to work and must fulfil any relevant visa / work permit requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. 
 
Portwest are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, civil status, veteran status, family status, disability status or membership of a minority group