Garment Technologist & Compliance Officer in Watford

Garment Technologist & Compliance Officer

Location: Watford, Hertfordshire (WD24)

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £35,000–£40,000 depending on experience

Reports to: Senior Production Manager

About The Company

They are a fast-growing licensed consumer-products business eveloping apparel, drinkware, gifting and lifestyle products for major UK and international retailers.

They work with globally recognised entertainment, character and sports licences, managing products from concept and development through to testing, production and delivery.

The company are looking for an experienced Garment Technologist & Compliance Officer to take ownership of the technical development, quality and compliance of our apparel ranges.

The Role

This is a hands-on role covering garment technology, fit, quality assurance, apparel testing, product compliance and factory compliance.

You will work closely with our design, buying and production teams and overseas factories, managing garments from initial development through to bulk production and ensuring products meet our quality standards, customer requirements and applicable UK, EU and international regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

Garment Technology & Development

Manage garment development from initial sample through to production approval.

Conduct fit sessions and provide clear, practical fit and construction comments.

Review garment construction, measurements, grading, patterns, workmanship and finishing.

Create and maintain measurement specifications and technical packs.

Communicate technical corrections and improvements to overseas factories.

Approve development, fit, pre-production and production samples.

Identify technical risks and provide practical, commercially viable solutions.

Maintain consistent fit and quality standards across suppliers and product categories.

Testing, Quality & Compliance

Determine appropriate apparel testing requirements based on product, materials, intended use, customer and destination market.

Manage testing covering areas such as dimensional stability, colour fastness, seam strength, fabric performance and restricted substances.

Review laboratory reports, manage failures and coordinate corrective action.

Review inspection reports and resolve production quality issues before shipment.

Investigate returns, complaints and recurring quality issues to identify root causes.

Ensure apparel meets applicable UK, EU and international safety, chemical and labelling requirements, including REACH where relevant.

Verify care labels, fibre composition, country of origin, warnings and other mandatory product information.

Maintain accurate technical, testing, approval and compliance records.

Factory & Ethical Compliance

Review factory audit reports and certifications including SEDEX/SMETA, BSCI and equivalent standards.

Track audit expiry dates, corrective actions and outstanding non-conformities.

Work with suppliers to maintain required social, ethical and technical compliance documentation.

Highlight compliance risks and support corrective action relating to labour practices, workplace safety, responsible sourcing and factory standards.

Sustainability & Certification

Review certifications including GOTS, GRS, OEKO-TEX and FSC where applicable.

Verify certification validity, scope and supply-chain coverage.

Support accurate and substantiated sustainability and recycled-content claims.

Improve the quality and traceability of supplier sustainability documentation.

Skills & Experience:

Essential

3–5+ years' experience in garment technology, apparel QA, product compliance or a related role.

Strong knowledge of garment construction, pattern cutting, grading, fit and manufacturing.

Confident conducting fit sessions and providing technical comments.

Experience with technical packs, measurement specifications and production samples.

Good understanding of fabrics, apparel testing and product-safety requirements.

Knowledge of apparel labelling and fibre-composition requirements.

Experience working directly with overseas factories and suppliers.

Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple product timelines.

Strong communication and organisational skills.

Strong Microsoft Excel skills and experience maintaining technical/compliance trackers.

Ability to work from our Watford office.

Desirable

Degree or professional qualification in Textile/Garment Technology, Fashion Design, Pattern Cutting or a related subject.

Experience with licensed apparel or major UK retail customers.

Knowledge of REACH, restricted-substance testing and UK/EU apparel regulations.

Experience reviewing SEDEX/SMETA, BSCI or similar factory audits.

Familiarity with GOTS, GRS, OEKO-TEX and other certification schemes.

Experience with PLM/product-development systems.

Wider factory, ethical or supply-chain compliance experience.

The Person

We are looking for someone who is:

Meticulous, practical, and confident making technical decisions.

Proactive in identifying and resolving issues before they affect production.

Comfortable challenging suppliers or internal teams when standards are not met.

Commercially aware, balancing quality, compliance, cost and delivery.

Highly organised with strong documentation skills.

Able to explain technical and regulatory requirements clearly to non-technical colleagues.

Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.

Working Hours Monday–Thursday: 9:00am–6:00pm - Friday: 9:00am–4:30pm

Benefits include:

£35,000–£40,000 salary depending on experience.

Permanent, full-time position.

Early finish on Fridays.

Hybrid working of up to 2 days per week after probation, subject to role requirements.

Company pension.

Statutory annual leave.

Free on-site parking.

Casual dress.

Opportunity to work with well-known licensed brands and major retail customers.

Significant scope to develop and take ownership of the company's garment technology and compliance function.

Applicants must be UK-based, have the right to work in the UK and be able to commute reliably to our Watford office.