Assistant Technologist - Home
Company
Location
Leicester, England, United Kingdom
Posted At
6/16/2025
Advertise with us by contacting: [email protected]
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Description
Job Description
About the Role:
Our Furniture Technologists work closely with all teams within our Home department. Ensuring we have considered trends, performance and innovation across all areas of the Home. From curtains and cushions to dining chairs and tables, plus so much more! The wealth of experience across the team ensures that quality and performance is key.
You’ll be working closely alongside the Home product teams, using your technical knowledge of furniture, to provide support and ensure product development is meeting the business’s standards for quality and value – as well as adhering to legal and industry standards.
Planning the range; evaluating new products to ensure they are legal and safe and meet performance and legal requirements.
Developing the range; providing technical support to the Product Team and promoting collaborative and close working relationships.
Support, Development and Review of the seasonal ranges; always looking out for market opportunities and new trends.
Approving and Progressing the range; providing clear and concise written and verbal communication internally and externally, ensuring that the correct documentation is used.
Preparing for launch; reporting exceptions to launch to the Product Team and line manager, with solutions to problems are met.
Managing in season; having awareness of current sales information, including best sellers.
About You:
Materials Science: Knowledge of various materials like hardwoods (e.g., oak, walnut), softwoods (e.g., pine), engineered wood (MDF, plywood), metals (steel, aluminium), plastics, and textiles. This includes understanding how materials affect durability, aesthetics, and sustainability.
Innovative Materials: Familiarity with new materials like bio-composites, recycled plastics, and sustainable woods.
Ergonomic Design: Understanding of ergonomics, ensuring furniture is designed for user comfort and optimal posture.
Frame Construction: Knowledge of different types of furniture frames, such as kiln-dried hardwood frames etc
Mechanical Testing: Understanding how to perform load testing (ensuring furniture can handle weight capacities), fatigue testing (how furniture withstands repetitive stress), and impact testing (shock resistance).
Material Testing: Knowledge of how to test for material durability, including abrasion resistance, stain resistance, and fire retardancy, depending on the intended use and market standards.
Product manufacturing or Retail technologist experience is an advantage.
By having this comprehensive knowledge, you can help bridge the gap between design and manufacturing to ensure the furniture meets functional, aesthetic, and market demands.
Joining the Home Technology team is a super exciting opportunity indeed! As an Assistant Furniture Technologist in the Home Technology team, you'll be leveraging your technical knowledge of furniture construction and performance to contribute to product development, quality assurance, and innovation within a dynamic team.
Sponsorship
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa .
We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.
About Us
You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!
About The Team
We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email [email protected] (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.
About the Role:
Our Furniture Technologists work closely with all teams within our Home department. Ensuring we have considered trends, performance and innovation across all areas of the Home. From curtains and cushions to dining chairs and tables, plus so much more! The wealth of experience across the team ensures that quality and performance is key.
You’ll be working closely alongside the Home product teams, using your technical knowledge of furniture, to provide support and ensure product development is meeting the business’s standards for quality and value – as well as adhering to legal and industry standards.
Planning the range; evaluating new products to ensure they are legal and safe and meet performance and legal requirements.
Developing the range; providing technical support to the Product Team and promoting collaborative and close working relationships.
Support, Development and Review of the seasonal ranges; always looking out for market opportunities and new trends.
Approving and Progressing the range; providing clear and concise written and verbal communication internally and externally, ensuring that the correct documentation is used.
Preparing for launch; reporting exceptions to launch to the Product Team and line manager, with solutions to problems are met.
Managing in season; having awareness of current sales information, including best sellers.
About You:
Materials Science: Knowledge of various materials like hardwoods (e.g., oak, walnut), softwoods (e.g., pine), engineered wood (MDF, plywood), metals (steel, aluminium), plastics, and textiles. This includes understanding how materials affect durability, aesthetics, and sustainability.
Innovative Materials: Familiarity with new materials like bio-composites, recycled plastics, and sustainable woods.
Ergonomic Design: Understanding of ergonomics, ensuring furniture is designed for user comfort and optimal posture.
Frame Construction: Knowledge of different types of furniture frames, such as kiln-dried hardwood frames etc
Mechanical Testing: Understanding how to perform load testing (ensuring furniture can handle weight capacities), fatigue testing (how furniture withstands repetitive stress), and impact testing (shock resistance).
Material Testing: Knowledge of how to test for material durability, including abrasion resistance, stain resistance, and fire retardancy, depending on the intended use and market standards.
Product manufacturing or Retail technologist experience is an advantage.
By having this comprehensive knowledge, you can help bridge the gap between design and manufacturing to ensure the furniture meets functional, aesthetic, and market demands.
Joining the Home Technology team is a super exciting opportunity indeed! As an Assistant Furniture Technologist in the Home Technology team, you'll be leveraging your technical knowledge of furniture construction and performance to contribute to product development, quality assurance, and innovation within a dynamic team.
Sponsorship
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa .
We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.
About Us
You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!
About The Team
- 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
- Company performance based bonus
- Sharesave scheme
- On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
- 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
- Early VIP access to sale stock
- Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
- Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
- Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
- Free on-site parking
- Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
- Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
- Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
- Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
- Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more
We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email [email protected] (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.
Advertise with us by contacting: [email protected]
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