Product Technologist, furniture & interiors brand
- Up to £40,000, depending on experience
- Berkshire / Surrey
We are looking for an experienced Product Technologist to join a successful furniture & interiors brand, to play an integral role in bringing complaint and sustainable products to market. Working as part of the product development team, you will have responsibility for compliance across all product categories, working closely and collaboratively with the design, PD and buying teams. You will liaise closely with the global vendor base, ensuring all products manufactured are compliant with current standards, and all necessary certification is obtained.
The ideal candidate will have a love of product, be super organised & deadline driven, and have a keen interest in sustainability. A passion for furniture & interiors is a must!
Duties for this Product Technologist position will include:
- Responsibility for the compliance for all product
- Working closely with the PD & design team from the initial stages of development from a compliance perspective, advising and providing technical input
- Build, develop and maintain excellent supplier relationships so information is communicated in a timely manner, including all technical data and audits
- Look at sustainability within the supply chain and vendor base, working with suppliers to ensure products are being made ethically and as eco-friendly as possible
- Work with external testing houses, arranging applicable tests to ensure all products are compliant for the relevant markets, and required certification is obtained
- Form strong working relationships with internal teams, particularly Design and Buying, supporting them on product and technical matters
- Assist with arranging factory audits
- Organise, manage and take responsibility for technical data, ensuring test files and any certification are complete, recorded and up to date before shipment
- Review artwork and packaging safety text for the countries in which it will be shipped, ensuring that all information is accurate and compliant prior to final sign off stage
- Understand and interpret manufacturing standards, test certificates and product regulations
Experience and skills required for this Product Technologist role:
- Solid experience within a Technologist role within lifestyle, homeware or furniture
- Experience across furniture (hard and upholstered lines), decorative accessories, lighting or garden desirable
- A passion for furniture is a must!
- Someone who is highly commercial, creative, and curious - always on the lookout for new and emerging trends and ideas within the industry
- A strong interest in sustainability, as this business is keen to implement innovation in this field within its manufacturing and supplier base
- An eye for detail, accurate, and an excellent multi-tasker who is deadline driven
- A first-class communicator and people person, with the ability to communicate clearly and positively across all levels, both internally and externally
- Solid Microsoft Office skills, including Excel (VLOOKUP's, Pivot Tables, etc)
- Being comfortable when working under pressure, ability to act on your own initiative
- A proactive problem solver, with excellent negotiation skills and the ability to foresee issues
- A positive attitude, friendly, flexible, and a team player!