This is a senior technical leadership opportunity within a fast-moving, high-volume branded fashion business. The role will define and deliver the technical strategy across childrenswear, ensuring consistent fit, product integrity, safety and compliance, and right-first-time quality.

As the senior technical authority for the category, you will influence cross-functional decisions across Design, Merchandising, Sourcing and Supply Chain. You will protect margin and trading performance by reducing in-season issues, strengthening standards, and driving supplier capability and accountability.

Main responsibilities will include:

• Defining and delivering the technical and QA strategy for childrenswear, aligned to commercial and brand objectives
• Setting clear technical KPIs and reporting on performance including right-first-time, returns, AQL pass rates, critical path adherence and quality cost impact
• Overseeing fit governance, grading principles, construction standards, fabric performance and testing requirements across childrenswear
• Owning the technical critical path, ensuring key milestones and approvals are achieved to support launch and delivery targets
• Ensuring full compliance with UK, EU and international regulations including chemical, safety and labelling requirements, with a childrenswear safety focus
• Maintaining and updating technical manuals, fit standards and SOPs in line with legislative and industry developments
• Identifying and mitigating technical risk using returns data, quality KPIs and customer feedback, implementing preventative corrective actions
• Building strong technical partnerships with offshore suppliers, delivering capability assessments, performance improvement plans and targeted training

Person specification:

• Extensive experience in a senior QA and technical role within childrenswear apparel is required
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing technical teams
• Strong knowledge of garment construction, fit, grading, fabrics, testing and performance standards for childrenswear
• Strong understanding of global compliance, safety and quality regulations
• Confident working in a fast-moving, high-volume branded environment, with experience across licensed brands a bonus