Fabric Technologist - Sanderson Design Group, Loughborough
We have an exciting opportunity for a Fabric Technologist to join us in our Technical, Innovation & Sustainability Team based at our site in Loughborough. The Fabric Technologist will play a pivotal role in ensuring the quality, performance, and compliance of our fabrics. You'll act as the vital link between design vision and technical delivery, supporting the full product development process from concept to launch. This role involves managing fabric testing, approvals, and compliance, collaborating with internal teams and external partners, and providing expert technical guidance to drive innovation and sustainability.
We are a collective of six luxury interior brands, each with a special role to play, and two manufacturing brands Anstey Wallpaper Company and Standfast & Barracks. At Sanderson Design Group we are Sanderson, Morris & Co., Zoffany, Harlequin, Clarke & Clarke, Scion and Archive and our purpose is 'to bring the beautiful into people's homes and lives'.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead Fabric Testing & Compliance:
Manage all aspects of fabric testing, approvals, and compliance for upholstery, drapery, and soft furnishings, ensuring every product meets the highest standards.
* Uphold Quality & Safety:
Ensure all fabrics comply with legal, industry, and company requirements for performance, safety, and sustainability, protecting both our brand and our customers.
* Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Work closely with design, product development, and suppliers to ensure product feasibility, consistency, and technical excellence throughout the development process.
* Testing Oversight:
Oversee and coordinate testing schedules—including Martindale, pilling, lightfastness, flammability, and wash/care tests—while maintaining accurate and thorough documentation of all results.
* Technical Guidance:
Provide expert advice and support during fabric sourcing, selection, and development, helping teams make informed decisions that balance creativity and technical requirements.
* Supplier & Mill Partnership:
Build strong relationships with suppliers and mills, working together to resolve any quality or performance issues and implement effective corrective actions.
* Stage-Gate Support:
Play a key role in the stage-gate product development process by delivering timely technical input, risk assessments, and clear reporting to keep projects on track.
* Regulatory Awareness:
Stay up to date with the latest textile legislation, standards, and sustainability requirements (such as REACH, FR regulations, OEKO-TEX), ensuring ongoing compliance and best practice.
* Drive Sustainability:
Partner with the sustainability team to champion eco-innovation, promote responsible sourcing, and support the company's environmental goals.
* Training & Support:
Provide technical training and support to internal teams and customer service, enhancing overall knowledge and capability across the business.
Measures of Success
Success in this role will be demonstrated by:
* Product Quality:
Fabrics consistently meet or exceed company, legal, and industry standards (e.g., durability, safety, compliance, sustainability).
* On-Time Delivery:
Technical approvals and testing are completed within agreed timelines, keeping launches on track within the stage-gate process.
* Issue Resolution:
Technical or quality issues are identified early and resolved effectively, reducing delays, rework, or product returns.
* Collaboration:
Strong partnerships built with design, development, suppliers, and testing houses, enabling smooth product development.
* Innovation & Sustainability:
Contribution to new product innovation, sustainable material choices, and process improvements.
* Documentation & Compliance:
Accurate, up-to-date technical records and reports maintained for all fabrics.
* Team Contribution:
Clear technical guidance and training provided to colleagues, enhancing cross-team knowledge and capability.
Experience & Skills
* Degree or equivalent in Textile Technology, Textile Science, or related discipline.
* Proven experience as a Fabric Technologist, preferably within interiors, home furnishings, or fashion textiles.
* Strong understanding of woven, printed, and finished textiles.
* Knowledge of international testing standards (BS, EN, ISO, ASTM, etc.).
* Experience in working with mills, suppliers, and external testing houses.
* Excellent attention to detail with a methodical approach to problem-solving.
* Strong communication and collaboration skills across creative and technical teams.
* Passion for textiles, innovation, and delivering exceptional product quality.
About us
Sanderson Design Group is an international luxury interior furnishings company that designs, manufactures and markets wallpapers and fabrics together with a wide range of ancillary interior products.
In 2020, we brought our portfolio of brands home to Sanderson Design Group, evoking the combined longevity and prodigious creative history of our brands. Sanderson Design Group describes the ebullience of our past endeavors. It sketches the outline of our future. A collective of quintessentially British luxury interior brands and 2 manufacturing brands, at Sanderson Design Group we are Sanderson, Morris & Co., Zoffany, Harlequin, Clarke & Clarke, Scion, Anstey Wallpaper Company and Standfast & Barracks.
Our purpose is "To bring the Beautiful into People's Homes and Lives". This has defined and shaped our brands since our very earliest days. The oldest brand in our arsenal, from where we derive the namesake of our group, begun life in 1860, as an importer of fine French wallpapers to London. Arthur Sanderson & Sons Ltd played a pivotal role in defining English interior decoration tastes and its early success led to displaying designs at London's finest showroom, at Berners Street. Around this time in 1924, Arthur Sanderson & Sons Ltd were awarded The Royal Warrant, becoming "purveyors of wallpaper and paint" to the court of George V.
We recognise that each one of our brands contributes a unique chapter to our story. It is why we represent the full spectrum of British interior design, catering from cutting-edge sleek modern styles, to the hearty warmth of traditional forms. Our decision to rebrand as Sanderson Design Group in 2020 is our way of paying homage to our rich history, as well as marking our path towards a new future. As custodians of over 160 years of design experience, we are proud to Bring the Beautiful into People's Homes and Lives. We are Sanderson Design Group.