Senior R&D Textile Technologist

About Us About Us Workwear Group (WWG) is part of Wesfarmers Industrial & Safety, a division of Wesfarmers, a top‑20 ASX listed company with over 100,000 employees. Under the WWG banner, our three iconic brands – KingGee, Hard Yakka and NNT – have delivered workwear since the late 1920s. We manufacture over seven million units each year and invest continuously in innovation, market knowledge, pioneering ideas and sustainability practices. We work as one team, putting customers first and fostering a passionate, safe, and inclusive community. About The Role About The Role The key role involves overseeing the development of raw materials for our key clients. Responsibilities include driving research and development of fabrics, trims, and technological advancements; providing technical support to various teams; ensuring fabric quality, performance, and pricing align with customer needs; maintaining fabric standards; and collaborating with stakeholders. What You’ll Be Doing Set up and maintain Raw Material Matrix and Tracker. Source and develop raw materials to meet timelines and product briefs. Collaborate with the Design Team for clear communication on R&D projects. Provide technical advice and support for fabric development. Review fabric test results and wear test samples. Establish and maintain fabric and trim standards. Ensure all raw materials have specifications in line with company guidelines. Sign off on colour and raw material performance test reports. Proactively research fabric trends, innovation, and technology. Utilise consumer insights and sales analysis for viable options. Share findings with Design and Product Management teams. Maintain quality levels of raw materials. Resolve fabric issues with suppliers. Compile test matrices for new product development. Align sourcing with supply chain strategy. Complete due diligence in R&D testing. Conduct risk assessments for raw materials. Collaborate with various teams on risk assessment. Ensure raw material approval meets standards and legal requirements. Support other departments to improve product quality and brand perception. Identify opportunities to enhance fabric development processes. Assist as requested by the Design Manager. Who We’re Looking For In addition to technical skills, we seek team members who possess the following personable qualities: Strong work ethic and commitment to team success. Openness to coaching, self‑reflection and growth. Accountability for actions, emotions, and willingness to go beyond comfort zones. Embrace innovation, take calculated risks, and inspire others. Build meaningful relationships, prioritising customer satisfaction alongside commercial goals. Demonstrate honesty, integrity and ethical standards in all interactions. What We’re Looking For Experience in textile, workwear, protective wear and fashion industry. At least 5 years’ experience in R&D. Comprehensive knowledge of textile technology and manufacturing. Strong problem‑solving attributes. Knowledge of fibres, yarns, knitting, dyeing, print techniques, fabric properties and garment finishing techniques. Understanding of textiles in garment construction and industry operations. What We Offer The chance to join a great team of like‑minded, hard‑working people committed to the company’s vision. Flexible working environment, including work‑from‑home days. A competitive salary package and suite of benefits, including a 50% discount on our brands and a 5% Wesfarmers discount at selected retailers. A tailored career and development plan, plus reward and recognition programmes. Our Wellbeing program, Thrive, with activities supporting financial wellness, diversity celebration, physical and mental health (yoga, meditation, Employee Assistance Program). Our dedicated learning hub, “We Learn.” We actively work on creating a safe and inclusive environment free of discrimination. At Workwear Group we aspire to build a culture where diversity is celebrated, team members feel a sense of “I Belong” and are empowered to bring their whole selves to work. You can follow us on LinkedIn or visit our company careers page for more opportunities: Thank you for your interest in Workwear Group. Due to anticipated high volumes of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. #J-18808-Ljbffr