We are looking for a Garment Technologist - Knitwear to join Team OB in our Support Office. As a Garment Technologist at OB, you will provide expertise for the Buying and Design teams from initial sample through to production -including risk assessment garment fitting, product construction and component/fabric/yarn innovation. You will work with a continuous improvement mindset, using internal and external feedback to drive product and process improvement. You will work closely with our suppliers demonstrating your Product & Material knowledge to ensure they have the technical capability to successfully deliver the product on time and to the required Oliver Bonas standard. Our Support Office is based in Tolworth, near Chessington, only a 30-minute journey from London Waterloo. We offer hybrid working with a split of 3 days in the office and 2 days home working per week, and are open to having conversations about working flexibly. A bit about us … At Oliver Bonas (OB), our values of Work Hard, Play Hard & Be Kind are integral to everything we do. Collaboration, imagination, curiosity, and teamwork are key to our success, and everyone has their part to play in making OB a special place to work. Having fun is key, and a playful and positive approach creates an optimistic environment. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we are serious about what we do. Our team knows their stuff. They’re confident and creative and unafraid to challenge convention to find solutions, taking accountability for their actions, but always with kindness and humility. More about the role … An OB Garment Technologist will: Organise and lead fit meetings to deliver sealed products ready for production ensuring clear and accurate comments are fed back to the suppliers. Take responsibility for the fit and comfort of own brand garments from your specific product area’s Assist the Design & Buying team in overcoming fit issues, ensuring styling and design are not compromised Ensure fit to seal is achieved in a timely manner and improves YOY. Use feedback from sales and returns data to amend and improve future deliveries Create and maintain technical packs for factories as appropriate Issue and approve graded specifications Develop new fits and blocks for new ranges Create, standardise, maintain and issue workbook templates for suppliers to use when required Understand the manufacturing processes and sound knowledge of fabric properties and usage as well as garment construction Manage product and fabric approvals; including testing and certification, product construction, and labelling ensuring that they meet OB and legal requirements. Approve bulk components and fabrications Provide approvals in a timely manner ensuring nothing is delayed on the critical path Maintain and update all inhouse systems supporting the technical approval of styles Establish internal relationships with the buying and design teams to deliver the vision. Support the QC team to communicate quality issues to suppliers and agree corrective action Establish external relationships with the suppliers and their factories to execute the OB vision. Bonas Benefits: Generous employee discount up to 50% off all OB products Free access to our 24 hour employee assistance programme with Care First – offering financial, emotional and vocational support Flexible holiday – 33 days (including bank holidays) – increasing to 35 days with length of service Annual discretionary profit related bonus scheme Free membership for our Westfield Health Cash Plan or Private Medical Auto-enrolment into our pension plan Free access to our onsite gym Cycle to work scheme Refer a Friend incentive Quarterly free lunch Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Voice network and EDI team Mental Health First Aider support Education and support through 360L eLearning platform What we look for: Experience in fitting and sealing womenswear is essential. Sound knowledge of garment construction and grading is essential Knowledge and experience in testing of wovens/knitwear/jersey is essential. Knowledge of patternmaking and manufacturing is essential Knowledge about Sustainable fibres, fabrics & certification will be a bonus. Good planning and organisation skills Excellent attention to detail A team player Adaptable to change Good problem solving & communication skills Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Competent knowledge of Excel Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at OB At Oliver Bonas, our promise is to do our bit to make living a joyful experience and give cause for optimism. This promise is central to our work in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). To bring joy to others, we must first ensure everyone at OB feels valued, included and most importantly, can be themselves at work. It is important to us that our brand reflects wider society and the communities in which we operate. As a result, we welcome all eligible applicants for this role however we are particularly interested in speaking to eligible candidates from the Black, Asian & Mixed Heritage communities. Oliver Bonas is a Disability Confident Committed employer under the Disability Confident employer scheme. To read more about our ED&I commitments, head over to the EDI page on our website: https://www.oliverbonas.com/meet-the-team/diversity