Job Description

Post Title: Technical Garment Development Lead – Sustainable Fashion

Reporting To: E-commerce Manager

Location: Daisy Chain (Neuthread Warehouse: Unit 1 Teesway, Portrack Lane)

Salary: £25,000–£30,000 FTE with pro rata for reduced hours of this post. Fixed term until 30th June 2028

Hours: 10–22.5 hours per week

This is a part-time role of between 10 and 22.5 hours per week. Final hours and working pattern will be agreed with the successful candidate, with flexibility available for the right candidate to ensure the role works effectively alongside the wider design and production team.

Daisy Chain is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone in our care and therefore this post is subject to a DBS check.

Closing Date: 16th October at 12 noon 2026

Interview Date: Interviews will be offered on a rolling basis as suitable candidates are shortlisted. Candidates should be aware that interviews may take place before the advertised closing date.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed as they are received and interviews may take place before the closing date. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received.

JOB SUMMARY

Neuthread: where reharvested waste becomes ethical fashion

Daisy Chain has launched Neuthread, a community sewing and social enterprise project turning reharvested fabrics and garments into high-quality, sustainable fashion. We provide training, jobs and meaningful work for autistic and neurodivergent people while reducing textile waste.

We are seeking an experienced Technical Garment Development Lead to provide the technical link between garment design and production.

Working alongside Neuthread's designers and production team, you will take approved garment designs and translate them into accurate digital patterns ready for sampling. You will support the garment through the technical development process, attending fit sessions, making pattern amendments and grading approved final patterns across the required size range.

This is not a garment design role. Creative concepts and garment designs will be developed by Neuthread's designers. Your role will be to apply your technical expertise in pattern development, fit, grading and garment construction to turn those designs into accurate, production-ready patterns.

KEY TASKS

Technical Garment Development

Take approved garment designs from Neuthread designers and lead the technical development required to move them towards production.
Translate designs into technically accurate and workable garments, identifying issues relating to construction, fit or manufacturability.
Work with designers on technical adjustments where required, with creative design responsibility remaining with the designer.

Digital Pattern Development

Use Style3D to create accurate digital patterns from designs supplied by Neuthread designers.
Develop and amend patterns throughout the sampling and fitting process, maintaining accurate digital pattern files.

Sampling & Technical Support

Provide machinists with the patterns and technical information required to produce garment samples.
Review samples and work with designers and machinists to resolve technical pattern, construction or fit issues.

Fit Sessions & Pattern Amendment

Attend fit sessions and provide technical expertise on garment fit, balance, proportion and construction.
Translate fit-session feedback into pattern amendments and manage the technical development of the pattern through to approval.

Pattern Grading & Sizing

Grade approved final patterns across Neuthread's required size range using agreed sizing standards and grade rules.
Maintain accurate approved base and graded patterns for ongoing production.

Production Readiness & Technical Quality

Complete final technical checks and ensure machinists receive accurate, production-ready patterns and information.
Support the resolution of pattern or technical construction issues arising during production.

Digital Development & Continuous Improvement

Support the effective embedding of Style3D and help establish an efficient technical workflow from designer concept through pattern, sample, fit, amendment and grading to production.
Help develop consistent technical standards for pattern development, fit, sizing and grading across Neuthread.

Additional Tasks

Comply with Daisy Chain's Health and Safety policies in all employment practices.
Work in ways that promote equality, opportunity, participation and responsibility.
Maintain the integrity of the Daisy Chain brand in all internal and external communications.
Contribute proactively to the role and responsibilities, maintaining a positive ethos within the organisation.
Attend staff meetings and contribute to continuous service improvement and quality initiatives.
Ensure attendance and engagement with all required training and development activities.
Any other reasonable tasks as required, in line with the level of the post.
Ensure that confidential/sensitive information is handled appropriately and in line with GDPR.
Work in a way that contributes to the continuous improvement of the Charity's services and embraces the organisation's quality initiatives.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience

Strong experience in garment pattern development, pattern cutting and garment construction. E, A, I & T
Experience of taking garments through the technical development process from design through pattern, sampling, fitting and final production-ready pattern. E, A, I & T
Experience of garment fitting and making technical pattern amendments following fit sessions. E, A, I & T
Experience of grading garment patterns across different sizes. E, A, I & T
Experience of using digital pattern development/CAD software within fashion or garment production. E, A, I
Experience within sustainable fashion, circular fashion, upcycling or small-batch garment production. D, A, I

Qualifications/Skills

Pattern cutting, garment technology, fashion production or equivalent relevant qualification/industry experience. E, A
Strong technical pattern-cutting, fitting and grading skills. E, A, I & T
Ability to interpret a designer's garment concept and translate it accurately into a technically workable pattern. E, A, I & T
Strong understanding of garment construction and how pattern decisions affect manufacturing and finished garment quality. E, A, I & T
Experience of Style3D, CLO3D or comparable digital garment/pattern-development software. D, A, I
Excellent attention to detail, accuracy and organisational skills. E, A, I
Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with both designers and production teams. E, A, I

Knowledge

Strong knowledge of garment pattern development, fit, sizing and grading principles. E, A, I & T
Understanding of garment production techniques and industry standards. E, A, I & T
Understanding of digital garment-development processes and the role of technology within modern fashion production. E, A, I
Understanding of sustainable fashion and circular economy principles. D, A, I
Knowledge of health and safety requirements within a textile production environment. D, A, I

Other

Ability to work flexibly, including occasional evening and weekend work. E, I
Understanding of and commitment to the values and ethos of Daisy Chain. E, I, A
Willingness to undertake other duties as necessary. E, I
Comfortable working collaboratively within a fast-moving design and production environment. E, A & I

Key to Assessment Methods

E – Essential Criteria
D – Desirable Criteria
A – Assessed via Application Form
I – Assessed at Interview
T – Assessed through Practical Task or Test

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Technical Garment Development Lead – Sustainable Fashion