Technical Manager

The Company

A fantastic opportunity for a Technical Manager to join a fast-growing premium fashion supplier. You will lead the technical function, working closely with design, sales, sourcing and manufacturing teams to ensure products meet customer requirements for quality, compliance and performance.

You will also lead the company’s ethical and technical compliance programme, building strong relationships with customers and overseas manufacturing partners.

Lead and support the technical team, managing workload and priorities.

Manage technical development from concept through to bulk production.

Review specifications, construction, workmanship and samples.

Ensure products meet customer quality, safety and performance standards.

Resolve technical issues with overseas factories and drive continuous improvement.

Support product testing and technical submissions.

Work closely with design, sales and sourcing teams.

Act as the technical contact for key retail and brand customers.

Build strong customer relationships and attend meetings as required.

Interpret customer standards and manage technical approvals and critical paths.

Lead the ethical compliance programme across manufacturing partners.

Manage customer audit requirements, including SMETA, Next, Primark and other retailer standards.

Coordinate audits and corrective action plans through to completion.

Maintain supplier compliance records, certifications and Worldly (Higg) reporting.

Work with factories to improve compliance, quality and operational performance.

Keep up to date with legislation, customer standards and industry best practice.

Build strong relationships with overseas manufacturing partners.

Provide technical guidance throughout development and production.

Visit suppliers where required to support technical and compliance activities.

Significant experience in a technical/product technology or technical management role.

Proven experience managing and developing a technical team.

Strong knowledge of product construction, quality and manufacturing.

Experience working with overseas suppliers and manufacturing partners.

Experience managing ethical compliance programmes, including SMETA and customer audits.

Excellent project management and organisational skills.

Strong commercial, problem-solving and communication skills.

Experience with in fashion accessories, leather goods, apparel or a similar consumer product sector.

Experience with Next, Primark or other major retailer standards.

Knowledge of Worldly (Higg) submissions.

Experience in belts, leather goods or fashion accessories.

Strong leadership and organisational skills.

Proactive and solutions-focused.

Excellent attention to detail.

Confident building relationships across cultures and functions.

Calm under pressure and able to prioritise effectively.

Passionate about quality, continuous improvement and responsible sourcing.

Please be aware the duties listed above are an interpretation of the role and do not form any part of your employment contract. Please ask the interviewer any questions about the role that you wish to clarify.