Technologist

Department: Retail Operations

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Sunderland - Customer Support Centre

Reporting To: Head of Quality Assurance

Compensation: £32,960 / year

Description We are looking for an experienced Technologist to join our Merchandise team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in ensuring we sell safe, legal and high-quality products, while driving continuous improvement across our product range.

What's the opportunity? The Technologist will work closely with suppliers, buyers and teams across the business. You will manage product testing and certification, identify quality issues and support continuous improvement.

You will use product, customer and returns data to identify trends and opportunities to improve product quality and customer experience, while providing clear technical guidance and ensuring regulatory requirements are met.

What does the role involve?

• Maintain accurate technical manuals and product specifications, including product design, wiring, bills of materials, labelling and packaging.
• Manage product testing and certification in line with the agreed testing plan and relevant regulations.
• Ensure compliance with UK Timber Regulations, product, electrical and chemical requirements.
• Ensure suppliers meet our social compliance expectations in line with our Modern Slavery Statement.
• Build strong supplier relationships, clearly communicate technical requirements and ensure actions are completed within agreed timescales.
• Review new products and provide technical recommendations to improve quality and performance.
• Work with Customer Services and After Sales to investigate customer complaints and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Analyse returns and inspection data to identify trends, improve product quality and support effective corrective action.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for someone who is technically strong, analytical and proactive, with excellent attention to detail and the confidence to work with suppliers and internal teams.

Ideally, You Will Have

• Extensive knowledge of upholstery manufacturing processes, materials, construction methods and product specifications.
• Strong understanding of relevant regulations, including Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations, LVD, EMC, RoHS, REACH and the Machinery Directive.
• Strong knowledge of product quality standards, defect identification, root cause analysis and corrective action.
• Excellent organisational, planning and communication skills.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel for data analysis, reporting, pivot tables and charts.
• Experience with data visualisation or BI tools such as Power BI.
• An electrical or mechanical engineering qualification at HNC or degree level.

If you are passionate about product safety, quality and continuous improvement and enjoy working collaboratively with suppliers and internal teams, this could be a great opportunity for you.

What’s in it for you?

• 33 days holidays including bank holidays
• Employee benefits platform – access to 100s of high street discounts and more – holiday discounts, gym discounts, cinema discounts, e-vouchers, cashback and more!
• Colleague Discount
• Career progression
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave
• Access to our dedicated Employee Assistance Programme – to give you free access to advice and information on a range of topics
• Virtual GP – Access to a GP service 24/7
• Salary finance scheme
• Pension Scheme
• Death in Service

INDHP