Product Technologist- Motoring
Product Technologist- Motoring

Product Technologist- Motoring

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Shape product development and ensure quality standards for motoring products.
  • Company: Join Halfords, a leading retailer in motoring and cycling innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, employee discounts, and personal development support.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving quality and innovation in motoring products.
  • Qualifications: Degree in engineering or related field; experience in product development preferred.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for growth and collaboration across teams.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

About us

At Halfords, our mission is to inspire and support a lifetime of motoring and cycling. As a specialist retailer, we lead the market through customer-driven innovation and a distinct product range. We are dedicated to providing our customers with an integrated, unique, and convenient service experience—from e-bike and electric vehicle servicing to on-demand solutions. Our commitment is to foster customer loyalty by offering compelling reasons to keep coming back to our stores, ensuring a lifetime of motoring and cycling enjoyment.

The teams at our Redditch Support Centre work with every other area of our business, putting them at the heart of the action and playing a key role in our success and growth. Everyone brings their individual knowledge and experience to work every day, working as one team to keep things moving smoothly.

About the Role

Join Halfords as a Product Technologist at a pivotal time in our growth journey. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone ambitious, proactive, and eager to build a long-term career with us. This role will report into Quality & Technical Manager-Motoring, you will work across a defined number of Motoring Concept Groups to ensure our products are safe, compliant, and fit for purpose. You will play a key part in shaping product development, quality assurance processes, product information, and manufacturing standards that underpin the Halfords product range.

You will collaborate closely with Buyers, Halfords Global Sourcing (HGS) teams, and suppliers to develop and implement quality processes, policies, and documentation that meet regulatory requirements and Halfords' quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

  • Evaluate products to meet compliance with company standards and all relevant legislation.
  • Recommend quality improvements, manage concerns, and support product development programmes.
  • Produce customer insight packs on product performance for Range Reviews.
  • Complete detailed product specifications and assess suppliers' capability to manufacture to required standards.
  • Implement quality assurance processes to ensure products meet quality criteria before launch.
  • Review and sign off samples at tender, pre-production, and mass-production stages.
  • Support the development of packaging requirements, including design enhancements, working with suppliers, HGS, and Brand teams.
  • Contribute to sustainability initiatives, including reducing packaging materials.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as HGS, Supply Chain and Brand Marketing to drive consistent quality improvements and ensure a seamless customer experience.
  • Travel within the UK, Europe, and Asia as required, partnering with HGS teams in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Taiwan to support product development and sourcing.
  • Investigate customer feedback through failure analysis, root cause identification, and development of Corrective and Preventive Action Plans (CAP).
  • Monitor CAP effectiveness and support ongoing improvement activities across product groups.
  • Work with suppliers to reduce defects and improve incoming quality standards.
  • Support the wider Quality team across other product areas and development projects as needed.

About You

  • Degree-level qualification in engineering, science, technology, quality management, or equivalent experience.
  • Proven experience in product development and technical/quality assurance within a retail environment, ideally across General Merchandise or Consumer Products.
  • Ability to work with autonomy and manage multiple priorities.
  • Experience with Motoring or Cycling category products or with chemicals, mechanical products, electronics, electrical engineering, or hardlines is highly desirable.
  • Broad experience across multiple product Concept Groups is advantageous.
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and quality principles (ISO 9000).
  • Ability to understand customer needs and translate them into product improvements.
  • Experience with manufacturing technologies, product design, extended supply chains, or digital business is beneficial.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
  • Strong commercial awareness and the ability to work quickly and effectively to deadlines.
  • Confident working cross-functionally and building strong relationships.
  • Highly organised with the ability to thrive under pressure.

Reward & benefits

  • A fair and competitive salary evaluated against market data, annual discretionary bonus scheme, pension, life assurance, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and enhanced family leave.
  • Commitment and dedication to your ongoing personal and professional development.
  • We offer hybrid working in our Support Centre, you will be based at our Support Centre 3 days a week with an optional 2 days working from home.
  • You will have access to a wealth of employee discounts across the Halfords suite of products and services.
  • Wellbeing and inclusion are at the heart of our colleague experience.

At Halfords, we operate a hybrid working policy with 3 days on site at our Support Centre in Redditch, Worcestershire.

Product Technologist- Motoring employer: Halfords Careers

At Halfords, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our Redditch Support Centre is not just a workplace; it's a hub for personal and professional growth, where employees are encouraged to develop their skills and contribute to meaningful projects in the motoring sector. With competitive benefits, a commitment to wellbeing, and a focus on inclusivity, we provide a supportive environment that empowers our team members to thrive and make a real impact.
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Contact Detail:

Halfords Careers Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Product Technologist- Motoring

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Halfords on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Product Technologist role.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by understanding Halfords' mission and values. Show us how your skills align with our commitment to customer-driven innovation and quality assurance in motoring products.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your STAR technique for answering competency questions. We want to hear about specific situations where you've demonstrated your problem-solving skills, especially in product development or quality assurance.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Halfords family.

We think you need these skills to ace Product Technologist- Motoring

Product Development
Quality Assurance
Regulatory Compliance
Customer Insight Analysis
Supplier Management
Packaging Design
Sustainability Initiatives
Failure Analysis
Root Cause Identification
Corrective and Preventive Action Plans (CAP)
Manufacturing Processes
ISO 9000 Standards
Interpersonal Skills
Communication Skills
Commercial Awareness

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Product Technologist role. Highlight your relevant experience in product development and quality assurance, especially if you've worked with motoring or cycling products. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Halfords!

Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for motoring and cycling shine through in your application. Share any personal experiences or projects that demonstrate your commitment to these areas. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about what we do!

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities of the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there.

How to prepare for a job interview at Halfords Careers

✨Know Your Products

Before the interview, dive deep into Halfords' product range, especially in the motoring category. Familiarise yourself with their latest innovations and quality standards. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their product development goals.

✨Showcase Your Technical Skills

Be prepared to discuss your technical background in detail. Highlight your experience with quality assurance processes and product compliance. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've successfully managed product development and improved quality standards.

✨Understand the Customer Perspective

Halfords values customer feedback, so be ready to talk about how you've used customer insights to drive product improvements. Share any experiences where you've investigated customer issues and implemented corrective actions, showcasing your problem-solving skills.

✨Build Cross-Functional Relationships

Collaboration is key at Halfords. Prepare to discuss how you've worked with different teams, such as sourcing or marketing, to achieve common goals. Emphasise your interpersonal skills and ability to thrive in a team environment, as this will resonate well with their company culture.

Product Technologist- Motoring
Halfords Careers
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