HEAD KNITTING R&D

Our client, a leading textile organisation, seeks to appoint an experienced professional for the following role:

The Head Knitting R&D will lead and transform the Knitting R&D function, driving innovation in knit fabric development and processes while taking full operational and P&L ownership of a large, complex plant and workforce. Reporting to the Chief Supply Chain Officer, the role will operate as a hands-on, independent leader through the current transformation phase, partnering closely across functions to translate R&D capability into commercial and operational results.

• →Lead the Knitting R&D strategy; develop and commercialize new knit fabric constructions, structures and processes aligned with customer and market requirements.
• →Manage the innovation pipeline to deliver on time and ensure new developments are successfully adopted into production.
• →Lead day-to-day plant operations with full accountability for output, quality, efficiency and cost; improve efficiency, downtime, wastage and defect rates against baseline.
• →Own or materially influence the Knitting R&D P&L manage cost control, resource utilization and investment decisions against budget, with year-on-year improvement.
• →Lead assigned transformation projects independently from scoping to execution; deliver milestones on schedule and embed sustainable change into ways of working.
• →Partner with Merchandising, Sourcing, Quality, Supply Chain and Commercial teams to translate R&D requirements into production-ready outcomes with minimal rework or delay.
• →Remain hands-on and present on the plant floor during the transformation phase, driving change independently through ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• →Lead, coach and develop a sizeable workforce; build technical and leadership capability, succession readiness and team engagement.

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Textile, Business or a related discipline; a Master's degree or MBA will be an advantage.

12+ years of relevant experience, including leading a large, complex manufacturing plant and a sizeable workforce, with demonstrated ownership of, or clear exposure to, a P&L. Candidates from textile or non-textile manufacturing backgrounds are welcome to apply.

• Strong command of large-scale plant operations, including production, quality, efficiency and cost fundamentals.
• Sound P&L and commercial acumen, with a clear understanding of cost drivers, margin and the commercial impact of operational decisions.
• Ability to lead technical and process innovation, translating market and customer needs into viable, scalable production solutions; textile technical depth is an advantage.
• Proven track record of improving operational performance and independently leading transformation initiatives.
• Strong leadership presence and professional maturity, with the ability to influence across functions and with senior leadership.
• Hands-on, ownership-driven approach with the resilience to lead through ambiguity and change.