R&D Textile Technologist

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. Housed under the banner of Workwear Group, our three iconic brands - KingGee, Hard Yakka and NNT - have been in the business of delivering workwear since the late 1920's.

We are the trusted partner in workwear solutions, manufacturing over seven million units each year. What sets us apart is our continuous investment in innovation, market knowledge, pioneering ideas and sustainability practices.

We work as one team. We put our customers first and are passionate about what we do. Joining WWG is an opportunity to thrive in an inspiring, safe, and inclusive community.

About the Role

We are looking for a technically skilled and innovation-driven Textile Technologist to lead the development and ongoing performance of raw materials used in the manufacture for our Uniform clients.

This role is central to ensuring all fabrics and trims meet strict quality, environmental, and compliance requirements, with a strong focus on material performance, sustainability, and supplier management.

This role is a 12 month contract position.

What you'll be doing

• Own the research, development, and lifecycle management of fabrics and proprietary trims.
• Maintain and manage a complete fabric/materials library, including test data and compliance records.
• Ensure all raw materials meet standards and legal/environmental obligations.
• Lead material sourcing strategy to reduce base fabric duplication, consolidate volume, and improve lead times and cost.
• Verify and document all fabric developments through lab testing and performance analysis.
• Ensure product compliance with relevant standards by working closely with internal teams and suppliers.
• Deliver cost-optimised development outcomes and clear costing strategies (COGS targets).
• Ensure fabric and trim suppliers meet ethical sourcing and sustainability standards.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external supply partners.
• Support continuous improvement efforts around cost, quality, and delivery from the supply base.

What we're looking for

You're a technical expert in textile development with a strong commercial mindset. You thrive in complex environments where quality, sustainability, and innovation intersect.

You will ideally have:

• Degree or Certificate in Textile Design, Development, or Manufacturing.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in textile or raw materials development, with quality and compliance responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of fabric testing, fabric performance standards, and global material sourcing.
• Experience with EIA:632 or ISO 9001 standards (desirable).
• Familiarity with PLM systems (desirable).

Personal Attributes

• Strong problem-solving and technical analysis skills.
• Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement.
• Organised, collaborative, and outcomes-focused.
• Self-driven with high accountability and initiative.

What we offer

• The chance to join a great team of like-minded, hard-working people who are passionate about achieving our vision and the growth objectives of the company.
• Flexible working environment, allowing for work from home day/s each week.
• A competitive salary package and suite of benefits and perks, including a 50% discount on our brands Hard Yakka, King Gee and NNT and 5% Wesfarmers discount for Kmart, Bunnings, Officeworks and more.
• A tailored career and development plan, plus reward and recognition programs. Whatever your goals we're here to support you on that journey.
• Our Wellbeing program, Thrive, with activities designed to support the Financial Wellness of our team, Celebrate Diversity, ensure we Get Physical and maintain Healthy Minds, including challenges, yoga, meditation and access to our Employee Assistance Program.

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, where 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 see our company careers page for more opportunities

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