Development & Studio Assistant - 12 month contract

We are seeking the support of a highly organised and efficient individual to assist the Development team in delivery of seasonal collections. This key role will be responsible for physical sample and studio organisation. This position is the a perfect opportunity for someone who is interested in a career in product development and is excited about supporting our team across all product areas and lines, so that critical path deadlines and company targets can be met.

Margaret Howell is a contemporary British clothing designer who has worked successfully in men’s and women’s clothing for over five decades. Today, Margaret Howell clothes are sold worldwide with 11 own shops in Europe, over 100 outlets in Japan and an established online business

MAIN DUTIES

Responsible for day-to-day organisation of the design studio; accepting and allocating deliveries, booking DHL and couriers, running errands, providing refreshments for meetings and ensuring supplies are stocked

Maintain a tidy and organised studio environment

Monitor and organise sample stock status, booking in samples using SAP system, and allocating appropriately

Support in the creation and maintenance of accurate product information across systems including WFX, SAP and Excel plans*

Prepare NCI and standard shipment invoices and packing lists, ensuring all customs requirements are met and making stock transfers on SAP system as and when required

Organise yarn and fabric cards from spinners and mills. Send out lab dips and developments as requested. Raise sample orders for yarn swatches, and fabric development costs and yarn sample orders

Support Fabric Coordinator on technical care sheets, creation of fabric hangers, production files and other fabric swatch requirements

Prepare for fitting sessions, allocating, assisting in measuring all samples, preparing notes and flagging any quality or make request discrepancies.

Preparing sample collections for a variety of needs; styling & casting sessions, lookbook shoots, wholesale meetings, collection review meetings, ensuring samples are presented accurately and in good condition. Steaming, changing trim and labels where necessary, and any other preparations required.

Set up graded spec templates and liaise with grader for final checks and changes

Clear and store old season and dropped samples appropriately, maintaining an organised seasonal turnover system

Prepare samples, fabric and yarn swatches and any other required information for shipment to TSI, Japan, packing neatly and labelling accurately to match invoices

Other tasks as required, in assistance to the PD team, to ensure business needs are met

* Includes style set up, item attributes, preferential origin, product risk assessment, shipping and labelling data requirements, compositions, weights, commodity codes, BOMs, visual range plans, pattern plans, supplier fabric plans, range plan updates, updating SAP records for Open PO & GRNI

REQUIREMENTS AND SKILLS
Essential

Strong verbal and written communication in English

Strong proficiency using different systems including Microsoft Office (including Excel), PLM and ERP, with excellent data management skills

Excellent attention to detail, ensuring data accuracy and able to handle

Ability to work to deadlines, ensuring timely completion of workload

Highly organised and efficient, can manage multiple priorities and work in a fast paced environment with competing priorities

Confident handling and preparing garments and accessories, with understanding of garment measuring and quality review

Ability to problem solve, quickly addressing studio and administrative challenges

Interest in sustainability and ethical compliance, and driven to meet targets
Desirable

Previous experience in similar role, at assistant or internship level

HOURS

Monday to Friday - 35 hours per week

REWARDS

Salary of £25,152.40

5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays, increasing to 6 weeks with service

Generous clothing allowance

Significant staff discount

Life insurance

Contributory pension and salary exchange scheme

Personal development grant

Cycle to work scheme

Birthday day off

Volunteering day off

IVF and fertility leave