Garment Technician

GARMENT TECHNICIAN

Who Are We: 

We are an Adelaide based fashion house that began nearly ten years ago with the now globally recognised brand ‘Acler’. Acler is a female founded and led business that at its heart, celebrates quality textiles, masterful craftsmanship and accessible luxury pieces. From the success of Acler grew our second brand ‘Significant Other’. Significant Other is a pioneering force for artisanal luxury and resort-wear, a renowned presence in the Australian and international markets. Both brands have expanded rapidly, with an ever-growing list of major retailers across the US, EU, UK and Middle East. 

It was important to Creative Directors and brand founders Kathryn Forth and Julia Ritorto, to keep Acler & Significant Other’s operations in South Australia. To nurture talent in their home-state and offer employment opportunities that otherwise might only be found in Australia’s major cities. Furthermore, integrity is at the heart of everything we do, from setting up a Scholarship opportunity for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students, to our overarching work in the Reconciliation space and our ongoing charity partnerships with local not-for-profits, we’re committed to being excellent and doing excellent things. If you’re an excellent human, who resonates with the above; please assess your skills* against the requirements below. 

What We Offer:

• An empowering female founded and led environment. We know the juggle of work & parenthood, once a month health challenges, and all that’s in between, that’s why we have a team first culture. We also encourage all identities in our workplace; if successful you will be welcomed into a friendly, kind, and open working environment. 
• We offer a fun and supportive working environment; we encourage 360 feedback from direct reports to managers and vice versa. We know a happy team is an effective and pro-active team and offer managerial support and training throughout the year to foster this culture. 
• We’re passionate about continuing our operations in South Australia and keeping talent in the state. To do this we offer competitive salaries and work flexibility. A hybrid working from the office /working from home schedule is suported, and we’re happy to flex working hours to fit around study and/or parenting schedules. Or, maybe you’re a morning person and want to come in early so you can leave by 4pm? Or, you want to start a bit later at 9.30am? That’s ok too. 
• We have a strong staff retention rate and we’re passionate about offering staff growth and development opportunities so they can stay and grow here as we continue to expand. Employees are encouraged to seek out relevant training programmes they can undertake to support both their own learning and our company growth. 
• We have excelled as a business, so much so we were driven to start another business. We have highly skilled teams to both create and promote our globally coveted pieces. This is an opportunity to be part of that, and work alongside people who are nothing short of remarkable. 
• Last (but certainly not least) we offer a lucrative staff discount. Each season all employees can purchase yet to be released pieces from both brands in their size, and because we drop new arrivals every month – staff orders arrive monthly! You’ll also receive first access to our famous annual sample sale. 

*We’ve seen the research that suggests that women and underrepresented groups often don’t apply for roles because they don’t feel they fit enough of the criteria. Even if you’re only 60% there, we’d like to hear from you. 

Scope of Role:

We are looking for two experienced Garment Technicians, with attention to detail and who are passionate about working on fashion forward women’s brand. These roles are well suited to individuals who are ­­driven towards technical product development. This a great opportunity to work closely with all stakeholders within product development to ensure the production of garments will achieve the highest quality and excellent fit.

Duties Include:

• Taking full technical ownership of a brand through Production approval process
• Attend all Design SMS fit sessions, ensuring any pattern / design changes are accurately recorded and applied to bulk production
• Analyse and check garment construction, measuring and fitting all samples, from SMS fit to PP stage, ensuring make and measurements meet spec / construction requirements
• Attend all production fit sessions and record any pattern / design changes or comments, communicating directly to the factory from fit / PP stage
• Ensure comments & fit notes are recorded in the technical pack with images highlighting the issues for factory’s visual reference / ease of understanding.
• At PPs approval stage, ensure any changes to technical pack have been updated and included. Ensuring construction, notes and specification charts are all accurately updated and issued back to the factory.
• Ensure garment fitting and construction techniques meet company standards.
• Ensure fit samples are measured and pressed prior to fitting sessions. 
• Perform product store spot checks and compile internal and supplier reports.
• Ensure key dates set on the critical path for fit / pp approval comments are followed to ensure the factory can commence bulk production by the due date
• Provide ongoing support to the production / QC team when issues & queries arise relating to construction / fit / specs / quality issues. Workshop ways to resolve the issues in to meet Product Delivery Schedule.
• Assist with shipper approval process and provide approval feedback or corrective action reports to suppliers.
• Work with suppliers’ bulk fabrics / Linings / Trims are approved to company standards. 
• Work with Suppliers and 3rd patrty testing labs on fabric testing to advice acceptable care for garments.
• Ensure all key dates set on the production CP for all production process approvals including garment fit and bulk fabric approval are being met.
• Work alongside our production / factory QC team to ensure physical testing is completed on all garments and product quality is maintained
• Contribute to team meetings on specific QA topics
• Involvement in special projects from time to time

Requirements:

• Excellent knowledge in pattern making, garment construction, fitting, workmanship and manufacturing
• Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in Technical & Production working processes for women’s fashion brand
• Knowledge of grading is essential
• Experience in fabrics, print techniques, washings, treatments and dying methods
• Excellent skills in garment construction
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and spoken Ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise accordingly
• Natural problem solver, great communicator, and team player
• Knowledge in spec creation across different fabric groups including but not limited to denim & knitwear
• Intermediate MS Office skills
• Able to build and develop strong relationships with a multitude of personnel. 

Salary and Contract:

Full-time permanent contracts

Salary range from $60-$75k p/a plus superannuation, dependent on experience

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing experience relevant to the role as outlined in the Position Description by 5pm 26th Jan 2024.