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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Textile Assistant

💰 $45,000 - $65,000

FashionApparelTextile ManufacturingDesignProduct DevelopmentSourcing

🎯 Role Definition

The Textile Assistant is a foundational role within the design and product development ecosystem, acting as the organizational and operational backbone of the textile department. This individual provides critical support to Textile Designers, Fabric Developers, and Sourcing Managers by coordinating the intricate process of material selection, development, and approval. The role is a dynamic blend of administrative precision, creative sensibility, and technical understanding, ensuring that all fabrics and raw materials meet the brand's aesthetic standards, quality requirements, and production timelines. Success in this position is central to the seamless flow of the product lifecycle and directly impacts the quality and innovation of the final product.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Design or Production Internship
  • Retail Sales Associate (with a focus on apparel)
  • Showroom Assistant
  • Materials Library Intern

Advancement To:

  • Associate Textile Designer or Developer
  • Fabric Sourcer or R&D Coordinator
  • Product Development Coordinator
  • Technical Designer

Lateral Moves:

  • Assistant Buyer
  • Production Assistant
  • Merchandising Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Manage the day-to-day organization and maintenance of the physical and digital fabric and trim library, ensuring all materials are properly cataloged and accessible.
  • Initiate and track all raw material development requests, including lab dips, strike-offs, and sample yardage from a global network of mills and suppliers.
  • Diligently evaluate incoming lab dips and other color submissions against physical standards using a light box to ensure color accuracy and consistency.
  • Prepare and dispatch detailed packages containing color standards, artwork, and technical specifications to vendors for development.
  • Create, update, and meticulously maintain comprehensive fabric development tracking charts and work-in-progress (WIP) reports for cross-functional team visibility.
  • Enter and manage all raw material data, including article numbers, composition, price, and lead times, within the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system.
  • Assist the senior textile team in researching and developing new materials, innovative fabric technologies, and sustainable textile alternatives.
  • Serve as a key communication liaison, handling daily correspondence with overseas mills, agents, and suppliers regarding development status and inquiries.
  • Prepare and assemble high-quality fabric boards, presentation binders, and material palettes for seasonal design meetings and line reviews.
  • Coordinate the fabric testing process with third-party labs, ensuring all materials meet company performance, safety, and quality standards.
  • Support the Textile Designers in creating and distributing technical packages and spec sheets for all new fabric and print developments.
  • Oversee the shipping and receiving of all textile-related parcels, ensuring timely delivery and proper distribution to the relevant team members.
  • Precisely cut, label, and mount fabric headers and swatches for internal distribution, library archives, and merchandising needs.
  • Collaborate closely with the design and merchandising teams to understand seasonal concepts and ensure sourced materials align with the creative vision and price targets.
  • Monitor the seasonal fabric development calendar, proactively flagging potential risks and delays to ensure key milestones are met.
  • Conduct ongoing market and trend research to identify newness in yarns, fabrics, prints, and patterns, presenting findings to the team.
  • Verify bulk production cutting approvals (CFA) against the approved standards, providing clear comments and approvals to the production team and vendors.
  • Troubleshoot and help resolve quality, delivery, or testing issues that arise with fabric suppliers throughout the development and production cycle.
  • Maintain and update a comprehensive database of mill contacts, capabilities, and pricing information to support strategic sourcing efforts.
  • Assist in calculating preliminary fabric yields and costs to support initial margin and costing exercises for new product styles.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in the preparation of trend boards and presentation materials for seasonal kick-offs and executive reviews.
  • Participate in local trade shows, mill appointments, and factory visits to gain exposure to production capabilities and build industry relationships.
  • Contribute to departmental sustainability initiatives by actively researching and cataloging eco-friendly materials, processes, and certifications.
  • Help maintain the department's budget tracker for sample yardage, development costs, and lab testing fees.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly with Excel for creating and managing complex tracking charts.
  • Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop and Illustrator) for basic artwork edits and digital color evaluation.
  • Experience with or ability to quickly learn Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems (e.g., Centric, FlexPLM).
  • A strong foundational understanding of textile properties, including fabric construction, fiber content, wovens vs. knits, and finishes.
  • Excellent color sense and a trained eye for evaluating color and shade variations under controlled lighting conditions.
  • Foundational knowledge of textile development processes, including dyeing, printing (screen, digital), and finishing techniques.
  • Familiarity with common textile testing standards and terminology (e.g., crocking, pilling, colorfastness).
  • Basic understanding of the apparel product development calendar and key supply chain milestones.
  • Accurate and efficient data entry skills for maintaining information across multiple platforms.
  • Knowledge of shipping logistics and experience using carrier platforms like FedEx and DHL for international packages.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional organizational skills and a meticulous, unwavering attention to detail.
  • Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for effective correspondence with global partners.
  • A proactive, resourceful, and flexible problem-solving mindset.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment.
  • High level of personal accountability and a strong sense of urgency.
  • A passion for fashion, textiles, and product, with a curiosity to learn and grow.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent. An Associate's Degree in a related field is a strong plus.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Textile Design or Textile Science
  • Fashion Design or Merchandising
  • Product Development
  • Materials Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0-2 years of relevant experience.

Preferred:

  • Prior experience through internships in a corporate fashion environment, specifically within a textile, product development, or design department.
  • Exposure to a PLM system and direct communication with overseas vendors is highly desirable.
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