The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. Still family owned and now fifth generation, Barbour HQ remains in South Shields. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the US and Asia offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside. The iconic Barbour Bedale and Barbour Beaufort wax jackets continue to be made by hand in the factory in South Shields. In 2020, Barbour launched Wax for Life, an overarching name for all of Barbour’s wax services designed to encourage customers to extend the life of their wax garments. Wax for Life includes re-waxing and repairs (first introduced in 1921) and Barbour Re-Loved an upcycling circularity initiative. Each year over 70,000 wax garments are sent back to Barbour globally to be repaired, rewaxed or altered.
The role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Junior Garment Technician to join our Womenswear team here at our Head Office in South Shields. This role will contribute to the successful development of new styles; from first proto to gold seal approval. Ensuring we continue to deliver premium product in line with the business-critical path and budget.
Essential duties and responsibilities
- Work with the technical and design team and manufacturing base to ensure the on-time development of women’s collections.
- Support the review of new specs and blocks and creation of size charts before new proto requests are issued.
- Create/ maintain seasonal trackers - track / chase / book in development samples (from 1st proto to gold seal).
- Attend and contribute to weekly fit sessions, taking notes and photos.
- Measure / review development samples ahead of fit sessions.
- Support the creation and issuing of detailed, accurate and concise sample reports to suppliers.
- Outerwear: update FE BOMS after integration | Clothing: Create, issue and update BOMs.
- Barcode layout approvals.
- Care label layout approvals.
- Sending samples/ parcels to suppliers, warehouse, customers as needed.
- Support QA / QC - help identify / solve issues as and when needed.
- Support with answering customer service queries as and when needed.
- Support with organising wearer trials and documenting the results.
- Support with booking of fit models.
- General admin - liaise with other departments, sales, suppliers, factories, helping to answer queries and resolve any issues raised.
- Maintain storage spaces and clearing samples no longer needed.
Skills and experience
- A degree within the fashion industry/ clothing technology field.
- Experience at an assistant level.
- Basic understanding of pattern cutting, garment construction and fashion manufacture.
- Previous use of PLM systems, or similar.
- Effective problem solving and decision-making skills.
- Proactive, assertive, organised, capable of prioritising workload and able to deliver to given timelines.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Computer literate with good Microsoft office skills.
Benefits
- Discretionary Company bonus scheme
- Staff Discount
- Staff Shop
- Healthcare Cash Plan
- 25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays
- Access to training and development activities to support your career development
- Free onsite parking
- Subsidised canteen
- Operate hybrid & flexible working
- 4pm finish on a Friday
- Wellbeing support
