Fabric R&D Manager

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Fabric R&D Manager

Application Deadline: 30 June 2025

Department: Design

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: London

Reporting To: Sarah Wilkinson

Description

Join us at Disturbia where we prioritise creativity and innovation in everything we are do. We're searching for an experienced R&D Fabric Manager to join our visionary Design and Production Team, leading the exploration and development of groundbreaking textiles that push the boundaries of fashion.

In this role, you'll collaborate with a team of designers, suppliers, and industry talent to craft fabrication which will captivate our customers. This is an opportunity to be at the heart of a brand with bold ambitions, where your ideas won't just be heard-they'll shape the future of our collections.

Sustainability is a significant focus for us, and we're looking for someone who shares our deep respect for the planet. If you're passionate about innovation, sustainability, and making your mark in an ever-evolving industry, we'd love to have you on this journey

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and research of new and novelty fabrications to enhance product development and sustainability across all categories.
• Create archive of fabrics for each collection/ season including print strike off bases, trims and hardware.
• Collaborate with design, buying, compliance and technical design teams to ensure fabric quality meets production specifications.
• Stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies in fabric/ treatment and easy care developments.
• Visit fabric sourcing fairs, with heads of buying/ design to develop strong relationships directly with fabric/ trim suppliers.
• Manage relationships with fabric suppliers and negotiate contracts to secure flexibility in production pathways. Create strategy for greige fabrics allowing agility within our supply base.
• Negotiate pricing for proto development and order sample yardage for novelty fabrications.
• Manage seasonal fabric, trim, library per product category, collection, and create the process for reviewing new swatches with design and buying teams.
• GPSR - Expertise with General Product Safety Regulations. Ensuring fabrics meet safety requirements, are free from harmful chemicals, linking with REACH Chemical compliance.
• Partnering with mills / fabric suppliers which are Okeo-Tex Standard 100 certified.
• Testing fabrics in line with the regulations and requirements for textile testing, Partnering closely with the technical team.
• Building transparent relationships with fabric mills to provide visibility (Tier 2) traceability of the sourcing chain and fabric origins.
• Partner with the Head of Technical Design and technical team to ensure best practice sourcing for fabrics and trims.
• Provide technical information for garment care labels and product descriptions.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering, Fashion Design, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in fabric research and development within the apparel industry.
• Strong understanding of textile science and innovative fabric technologies.
• Excellent project management skills, communication and ability to work collaboratively in a fast paced team environment.
• Creative problem-solving skills, entrepreneurial spirit and a keen eye for detail and quality.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave, increasing with length of service
• Company bonus earning potential
• Flexible working patterns and hybrid working patterns
• Private Health Insurance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Up to 50% company discount
• Discounts with a variety of high street retailers
• Twice yearly company socials and once quarterly team socials + regular treats throughout the year
• Birthday and long service treats