Technician Fashion Lab

Job Description

Role Mission

The Technician – Fashion Lab oversees product technical integrity, fit standards, and supplier quality capabilities across garment development and production stages. This role works directly with vendors, cross-functional merchandising teams, and third-party laboratories to ensure apparel products meet performance, fit, regulatory, and mechanical/chemical compliance standards prior to market release.

Key Responsibilities & Activities

1. Product Technical Review & Risk Assessment

• Perform early-stage technical evaluations of tech packs, construction details, and material specifications during sample development.
• Identify potential manufacturing, structural, or material risks prior to bulk production and propose technical solutions or alternative constructions.

2. Fit Validation

• Lead fit sessions, evaluate sample proportions, and measure prototypes against tech pack specs.
• Provide accurate grading advice, pattern alterations, and construction corrections to vendors and factories.
• Approve final pre-production (PP) sample fits to ensure mass-market consistency and intended silhouette.

3. Product Compliance (Quality, Chemical & Mechanical Testing)

• Oversee mandatory physical, mechanical, and chemical testing protocols (e.g., fiber composition, colorfastness, seam strength, sharp points/edges, restricted substances/REACH compliance).
• Review third-party test reports, manage failure investigations, and coordinate corrective action plans with mills and factories.
• Ensure all bulk materials and finished goods align with destination market safety and regulatory standards.

4. Pre-Production Meetings & Inspection

• Conduct Pre-Production (PP) alignment meetings with suppliers and factory quality personnel to review high-risk quality control points.
• Audit and approve sealing/gold samples prior to bulk cutting.
• Perform on-site final inspections (FRI) based on AQL standards as needed.

5. Supplier Technical Capability Assessment

• Evaluate new and existing supplier production facilities for technical execution capabilities, machinery standards, and internal quality management systems.
• Benchmark supplier workmanship against company standards and identify technical capability gaps.

6. Compliance Coordination

• Serve as the primary operational liaison between third-party testing labs, compliance bodies, vendors, and regional merchandising teams.
• Support factories in the implementation of social compliance initiatives and drive improvements in social responsibility and human rights standards.

7. Continuous Quality Monitoring

• Track factory defect rates, recurring quality issues, and customer return metrics to perform root-cause analyses.
• Collaborate with suppliers to implement Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) plans.
• Deliver technical guidance and continuous quality training to vendor teams to elevate regional production standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Technical, Textile & Clothing or related disciplines.
• At least 3 years of hands-on experience in garment technical development, fit evaluation, or QA within an apparel sourcing office, buying house, or manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of pattern making, garment construction, fabric performance, mechanical testing, and chemical compliance standards.
• Good Communication Skills with business-level fluency in English.
• Experience in fast-fashion and quick-response business models is preferred.

Additional Information

KIABI is an inclusive company and is committed to considering all applications on an equal basis.  

To find out more about KIABI, please visit our careers site here.

At Kiabi, we support each and every one of our employees so that they can enjoy a rich, human experience based on sharing. With us, geographical mobility is a plus, and your talent will be recognized and developed to make your job a real springboard for the future.