About The Role

Working style | Hybrid

At NEXT Wholly Owned Brands, we’re a collective of London-based fashion and lifestyle brands. From our beginnings with Lipsy in 1998, to becoming part of the UK’s largest fashion retailer, NEXT, in 2008 we’ve evolved into a group of bold, design-led brands, each with its unique identity.

At the heart of our business is a passionate team driven by creativity, innovation, and a shared ambition to deliver exceptional results. We foster a culture where individuality is celebrated, curiosity is encouraged, and challenging the status quo is part of how we grow.

Role Purpose

The Technical Lead acts as a key Strategic Partner, focused on optimising the supply base, driving product quality, reducing return rates, and leading sustainable fabric initiatives. This role requires close collaboration with Buying, Design, and Technical teams to ensure operational foresight and brand growth. You will take ownership of supply chain risk management, fit optimisation, and team development while establishing technical standards that protect brand integrity and commercial performance.

Role Responsibilities

Strategic Supply Chain & Forward Planning

Act as a core Strategic Partner alongside the Buying Manager, Head of Brand (HOB), and Design Manager to define service requirements, set performance standards, and present forward-thinking strategic plans.
Assess and manage core suppliers using structured Supplier Review and Feedback methodologies, participating in Top Supplier Reviews to address operational trade issues.
Coordinate monthly strategic meetings, conduct Phasing Reviews to capture challenges and wins, contribute to Vision and Sign-off meetings, and collate clear, actionable QFN feedback.
Maintain a solution-focused approach to complex operational challenges, spearheading initiatives to elevate overall product quality and resolve supply chain bottlenecks.

Product Development, Fit & Return Rate Optimization

Seasonally assess and manage product blocks across categories, leading Brand Fit Days to optimise product fits, refine construction, and ensure sizing consistency.
Analyse and share monthly returns data, translating insights into actionable development feedback during fit reviews to drive sell-through (ST) on future collections and systematically reduce return rates.

Sustainability & Fabric Sourcing Strategy

Drive the brand's Sustainable Fabric Approach in close collaboration with central Sustainability and Fabric Tech teams.
Maintain a Key Fabrics Library and an updated list of available mills, supporting tender processes to consolidate mill usage for core fabrications (e.g., LLF).
Identify and manage ongoing technical training needs across the wider brand team regarding new fabric innovations and sustainability targets.

Team Management & Development

Manage and develop direct reports through regular 1-2-1 meetings, objective setting, and structured performance appraisals.
Provide expert coaching in technical decision-making, problem-solving, and quality issue resolution to build team capability.
Oversee indirect reporting lines with brand technologists across the wider Wholly Owned Brands portfolio.
Partner with internal L&D teams and external resources to identify development opportunities and continuously upskill direct reports.

Technical Requirements

Comprehensive experience at a senior technical level within a fast-paced fashion retail environment, managing multiple product categories.
Proven track record in supplier appraisal, risk management, and setting quality standards across a global supply chain.
Expert knowledge of pattern cutting, product block management, grading, and technical fitting.
Strong analytical capability to translate returns data, QFNs, and trade metrics into strategic product improvements.
In-depth understanding of fabrications, mill management, sustainable sourcing, and environmental compliance frameworks.
Proven capability to lead, coach, and upskill technical reports while influencing cross-functional leaders.

Diversity & Inclusion

We recognise that our differences are what make us who we are. We want people to want to work for us and be their true selves. We are dedicated to attracting and developing a talent team, and recognise that all unique backgrounds and experiences contribute to our future success.

We want to create an inclusive and inspiring environment where individuals feel valued and respected, and where people can achieve their full potential and be their very best, whoever they are.

Wellbeing

We believe that wellbeing is having the opportunity to achieve your full potential, cope with day to day pressures, be productive and thrive in all aspects of your life. We encourage a culture that promotes and enables us all to achieve positive wellbeing, by focusing on mental, physical and financial health.