At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage product development, ensuring safety, quality, and sustainability throughout the product life cycle.
- Company: Join the UK's largest employee-owned business with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by developing industry-leading products that exceed customer expectations.
- Qualifications: Experience in product development, testing, and supplier engagement is essential.
As a Product Development Technologist, in the Sourcing & Technical Profession, you will expertly manage the safety, legality, quality, product development, sustainability and provenance aspects of the product life cycle. In doing so you will ensure compliance with technical standards & policies across multiple categories. To do this you will utilise your deep specialist & generalist technical knowledge, remaining customer-focused to exceed customers' expectations and create industry-leading products.
You will be responsible for managing supplier/factory technical relationships and proactively lead in managing improvements to Product & Process.
Expected salary: Salary up to £60k depending on experience.
Contract type: This position is a fixed term contract/secondment until October 2027 covering maternity leave.
Working pattern/flexible working: The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The team meets in the office 3 days a week, Tuesday to Thursday, to connect and on a more ad-hoc basis to attend key meetings.
Location: The normal place of work for this role is our London Central Office in Pimlico.
Key responsibilities:
- Delivering compliant, safe, legal and the right quality product assortments (Own Brand) that are customer-focused, and understanding and complying with all relevant product regulations and safety standards.
- Setting, maintaining & clearly communicating product specifications & standards, interpreting designs and briefing new products.
- Developing & implementing the technical strategy into the category strategy, including lessons learnt, compliance - Ethical, Technical, and Sustainability requirements.
- Reviewing & approving product development against an agreed set of standards.
- Testing & certification approval of all legal & performance standards (inc. chemical compliance) maintaining up to date and accurate technical files.
- Supporting the end-to-end product development process from concept to delivery to ensure quality products.
- Using product expertise to assess product suitability including, performance of the complete product, technical suitability of design, quality and safety and functionality ensuring product is fit for purpose.
- Drives continuous improvement by analysing suppliers' technical performance.
- Carrying out Product Insight, horizon scanning, innovation, competitor analysis, benchmarking, upkeep & detailed knowledge of technical/legal requirements.
- Drives continuous product improvement by using and analysing quality performance, returns figures, reviews & customer voice data, escalated complaints and stakeholder feedback.
- Works collaboratively with suppliers, and internal & external stakeholders to ensure product compliance, and reduce faulty returns and customer complaints through failure analysis and root cause investigations.
- Managing key raw material/sustainability data to ensure compliance to the raw material targets.
- Provides quality & technical contributions to product tenders and assortment reviews.
Essential skills/experience you’ll need:
- Experienced in a technical role in retail or manufacturing typically covering:
- Product development
- Product testing & compliance
- Supplier engagement
- Strong fitting and garment construction knowledge.
- 3D fitting knowledge is desirable.
- A degree or equivalent industry 'on the job' training in an appropriate discipline.
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Pay: £57,400.00 - £86,200.00 Annual
Contract Type: Temporary
Hours of Work: 35 hours per week
Job Level: Partnership Level 6
Where You'll Be Working: London Central Office, 1 Drummond Gate, London, SW1V 2QQ
We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us. We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose. As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.
Important points to note: It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles. We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants. We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
Product Development Technologist, Soft Wovens and Outerwear employer: John Lewis
John Lewis is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where every employee is considered a Partner, sharing in the success and responsibilities of the business. With a focus on innovation and personal growth, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements and a supportive environment that encourages creativity and collaboration. Located in the heart of London, the role of Social Community Executive provides a unique opportunity to engage with a diverse community while contributing to a brand that values kindness, respect, and inclusivity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Development Technologist, Soft Wovens and Outerwear
✨Get Your Hands Dirty in the Industry
For a temporary role in manufacturing, don’t shy away from physically visiting local factories and production sites. A friendly walk-in can often lead to spontaneous interviews or valuable connections, and can really help you get a sense of the workplace vibe.
✨Tap into Seasonal Hiring Windows
Manufacturing often sees spikes in hiring during particular seasons, like summer when production ramps up. Keep an eye on local job boards and community centres, or even visit seasonal job fairs—they’re golden for snagging those temporary roles we’re after.
✨Join Industry-Specific Communities
Consider joining online forums and social media groups specific to manufacturing. Sites like Reddit or even LinkedIn groups can give you insights into open positions and allow you to connect with current employees who might give you an edge in the hiring process.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Site!
With John Lewis looking for temporary talent, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s often the fastest way to get your foot in the door, so make the most of it. Plus, it shows you're proactive—always a win!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Development Technologist, Soft Wovens and Outerwear
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Practical Skills:In manufacturing and production, hands-on skills are key! Make sure your CV showcases any relevant experience with machinery, quality control, or assembly line work. If you’ve got certifications related to operating specific equipment, don’t forget to include those too!
Focus on Flexibility and Adaptability:For a temporary role, employers are looking for candidates who can hit the ground running. In your cover letter, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly and work well under pressure. Share any experiences where you've successfully adjusted to changing circumstances or tight deadlines.
Include Specific Measurements of Your Impact:Manufacturing roles often revolve around efficiency and productivity. If you’ve previously worked in similar roles, be sure to quantify your achievements. For example, mention how you improved production rates or reduced waste – numbers stand out and show you mean business!
Express Your Interest in the Industry:Temporary roles can be a great stepping stone for future opportunities! Take a moment in your application to express why you’re interested in manufacturing and production. Showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make a real difference and may keep doors open for upcoming positions!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
In the manufacturing and production world, they want to see that you can actually handle the tools and machines. Bring along any certifications you have or even pictures of projects you’ve worked on. We want to demonstrate that you're not just a theory person but someone who can jump right in.
✨Emphasise Safety Knowledge
Safety's a huge deal in manufacturing, so make sure you’re clued up about health and safety regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you've followed safety protocols in past roles. It's all about showing you can contribute to a safe working environment at John Lewis.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, highlight your adaptability and willingness to step into different roles as needed. Share examples of times you’ve adjusted quickly to new situations or tackled varied tasks. We want to show you're the go-to person when things get busy!
✨Ask About Team Dynamics
In any temporary role, fitting in quickly is vital. Ask about team dynamics and collaboration processes during the interview. This shows you’re not only ready to contribute but also keen to blend into John Lewis’s culture, making you a valuable asset.
