At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and ensure quality of own-brand furniture products from concept to production.
- Company: Dunelm is the UK's leading homewares retailer, dedicated to making home life lovelier.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, with opportunities for innovation and sustainability initiatives.
- Why this job: Join a caring culture focused on sustainability and customer satisfaction in a dynamic retail environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in furniture technology or similar roles, with strong technical knowledge and project management skills.
- Other info: This role is based in our Syston Store Support Office in Leicester.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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Direct message the job poster from Dunelm
Home. There’s no place like it. And there’s no feeling like helping people create the joy of feeling truly at home. At Dunelm, that’s what we do. We’re the UK\’s number one choice for homewares because we make home life lovelier for our customers. And the caring and encouraging culture we\’ve created makes this a place you\’ll feel right at home too.
We are the UK’s Number One homewares retailer offering over 100,000 products building a consumer-focused total retail business that delights customers through our multichannel operation.
We are determined in our plans to increase further expansion of the business to more customers, shopping more frequently, with more choice, enhanced digital and physical services, and new capabilities to innovate and operate at pace in a fast-changing landscape. In developing the business for the long-term benefit of our customers, we are investing in our supply chain, stores and technology to improve the customer proposition as we progress.
Department Overview
As an ambitious company with a forward-thinking sustainability programme, we are committed to ensuring the business is fit for the future. Our Good & Circular strategy includes embedding circular thinking into product design and sourcing, as well as helping our customers use and reuse our products more sustainably.
Product Technologist – Furniture
As a Product Technologist – Furniture, you will play a key role in the development, engineering, and delivery of own-brand furniture products across Cabinet and Outdoor categories. You’ll ensure that all products meet legal, safety, and quality standards while supporting innovation, sustainability, and commercial success. Working closely with cross-functional teams and suppliers, you’ll help bring high-quality, durable, and compliant products to market that exceed customer expectations.
What you will be doing:
Technical Development & Quality Assurance
- Engineer products from concept through to production, developing specifications fit for manufacturing.
- Oversee the end-to-end product development process, ensuring compliance with technical, safety, and quality standards in line with the critical path.
- Identify and eliminate potential flaws in product designs to ensure a seamless production process.
- Ensure products comply with industry regulations, Dunelm quality standards, and sustainability initiatives.
- Monitor category performance, including returns and customer feedback, to drive continuous improvement.
- Work closely with suppliers to implement product performance standards and ensure timely approvals.
- Drive improvements in supplier performance and empower them to deliver right-first-time outcomes.
- Ensure manufacturing sites meet Dunelm’s technical and ethical standards, including auditing and corrective actions.
- Stay up to date with industry trends, legislation, and best practices in product technology and compliance.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with Buying, Merchandising, and Design teams to align technical priorities with commercial goals.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
- Support cross-functional projects, often involving complexity and ambiguity, with a solutions-focused mindset.
Sustainability & Innovation
- Support the implementation of sustainability and circularity initiatives across the furniture category.
- Deliver small-scale projects that contribute to product innovation and technical excellence.
What we look for in you:
Skills & Experience
- Experience in a furniture technologist or similar role within retail or supply chain.
- Strong technical knowledge of furniture product standards, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing processes.
- Proven ability to engineer and specify products from the ground up.
- Experience working with UK and global suppliers.
- Strong analytical, communication, and influencing skills.
- A proactive self-starter with excellent time management and prioritisation skills.
- Resilient and calm under pressure, with a collaborative and adaptable approach.
- Strong organisational and project management capabilities.
- Passionate about product quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.
This role is a hybrid opportunity based in our Syston Store Support Office in Leicester.
Job Details
- Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
- Employment type: Full-time
- Job function: Quality Assurance
- Industries: Retail
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Product Technologist- Furniture employer: Dunelm
Contact Detail:
Dunelm Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Technologist- Furniture
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Dunelm's Good & Circular strategy. Understanding their commitment to sustainability and circular thinking will help you align your own values with theirs, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the furniture industry, especially those who have experience with product technology and compliance. Engaging with industry experts can provide insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on the latest trends in furniture design and manufacturing processes. Being knowledgeable about current innovations will demonstrate your passion for the role and your ability to contribute to Dunelm's product development.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've improved product quality or supplier performance in previous roles. Highlighting your hands-on experience will show that you can deliver results in line with Dunelm's standards.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Technologist- Furniture
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the key responsibilities and requirements for the Product Technologist - Furniture position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with Dunelm's expectations.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous experience in furniture technology or related roles. Be specific about your achievements in product development, quality assurance, and supplier management to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to include strong examples of your technical knowledge, analytical skills, and project management capabilities. Use quantifiable results where possible to illustrate how you've contributed to product quality and sustainability in past roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a personalised cover letter that reflects your passion for homewares and sustainability. Explain why you want to work at Dunelm and how your values align with their Good & Circular strategy. Make it engaging and concise to capture their attention.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dunelm
✨Know Your Products
Familiarise yourself with Dunelm's furniture range and their sustainability initiatives. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to product quality and innovation, showcasing your understanding of the industry standards.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Highlight your experience in engineering and specifying furniture products. Be ready to provide examples of how you've ensured compliance with safety and quality standards in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration
Since the role involves cross-functional collaboration, prepare to discuss how you've successfully worked with teams like Buying, Merchandising, and Design. Share specific instances where your communication skills made a difference.
✨Emphasise Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to talk about challenges you've faced in product development and how you overcame them. This will show your resilience and adaptability, which are key traits for this position.