At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in footwear testing, ensuring quality and customer satisfaction.
- Company: Join a leading technical services organisation in Kettering.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, generous leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunities for international travel and career growth await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced, innovative footwear industry.
- Qualifications: A Levels in Maths or Science and proven leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 42000 € per year.
An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Technical Lead – Footwear to join a leading testing and technical services organisation based in Kettering. You will lead and supervise a team of technologists and technicians within the Footwear Testing team, ensuring compliance with quality standards while maintaining high levels of customer service and technical excellence. This is a key leadership role focused on team development, operational delivery, and continuous improvement within a fast-paced technical environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Daily supervision of Technicians and Technologists
- Team performance management including appraisals, disciplinary and grievance processes
- Managing workflow across the department with a strong customer focus
- Allocating work and agreeing deadlines with team members
- Ensuring effective implementation of quality systems alongside relevant internal stakeholders
- Developing and delivering staff training plans
- Driving continuous improvement initiatives across systems and individuals
- Monitoring departmental KPIs and performance metrics
- Liaising with customers regarding results and new work opportunities
- Drafting and issuing technical reports and responding to customer enquiries
- Delivering presentations, customer meetings, and technical seminars
- Writing technical articles for internal and external publication
- Overseas travel when required
About You
Essential
- Educated to A Level in Maths or Science
- Experience of physical testing techniques
- Proven supervisory or team leadership experience
- Strong organisation and planning skills
- Customer-facing experience with confidence presenting
- Excellent time management and scheduling ability
- Strong IT skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Highly motivated with strong problem-solving and logical thinking skills
- Willingness to travel internationally
Desirable
- SAFT course completed or working towards completion
- Degree in Maths or Science
- Experience in a commercial testing or laboratory environment
- Full clean driving licence
- Exposure to sales, marketing or business development tools
- Footwear industry experience
Benefits Include
- 25–30 days annual leave (depending on service)
- Life assurance
- Group personal pension scheme
- Income protection
- Free parking
- Flexible working hours
Key Dates
- Closing date: Friday 29th May 2026
- Interview date: Thursday 11th June 2026 (on site, Kettering)
Technical Lead - Footwear employer: Interaction Recruitment
Join a leading testing and technical services organisation in Kettering, where you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises team development and operational excellence. With competitive benefits such as flexible working hours, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth, this role as Technical Lead – Footwear offers a rewarding environment for those looking to make a significant impact in the footwear industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Lead - Footwear
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the footwear industry or related fields. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its values, especially their approach to quality and customer service. We recommend practising common interview questions and even some technical ones related to footwear testing. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss your experience in managing teams and driving improvements. We want to see how you can lead the Footwear Testing team to success, so have some examples up your sleeve.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Lead - Footwear
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Technical Lead role. Highlight your supervisory experience and any relevant technical expertise in footwear testing to grab our attention!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the footwear industry and how your leadership skills can drive our team forward. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've improved processes or led successful projects in previous roles. We love seeing results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Interaction Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of physical testing techniques and quality standards in the footwear industry. Being able to discuss specific methods and their applications will show that you're not just a leader, but also a technical expert.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Think about times when you’ve handled appraisals or resolved conflicts. This will demonstrate your capability to lead and develop a team effectively.
✨Customer Focus is Key
Since this role involves liaising with customers, be ready to discuss your customer-facing experience. Share instances where you’ve gone above and beyond to meet client needs or how you’ve handled challenging situations with clients.
✨Be Ready for Technical Discussions
Expect to discuss technical reports and presentations. Prepare to explain how you would draft these documents and present findings. Practising your presentation skills can help you feel more confident during the interview.
