Technical Manager (Lipsy)
Next · London
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.