Leads technical strategy for Lipsy’s fashion supply chain, focusing on supplier performance, risk management, product quality, fit optimisation, return-rate reduction, sustainable fabric sourcing, and technical standards. Partners with Buying, Design, Sustainability, and Fabric Technology teams; manages supplier reviews, fit days, returns analysis, fabric libraries, and mill relationships. Also manages, coaches, and develops technical team members while driving cross-functional improvements and brand integrity.
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.
- 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
- 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
- Hot deals and exclusive offers from over 3,500 retailers through our online benefits platform
- Company performance based bonus
- Early VIP access to sale stock via Direct to Desk
- Life assurance
- Sharesave scheme
- Annual Travel Card Loan
- Sample Sales
- Fantastic L&D opportunities
- Flexi-Hour Scheme
- Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
- Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
- Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more
Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.
We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email [email protected] (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0207 436 2000 and leave a voicemail.
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