Job Description
We are looking for a Product Channel Manager to join our eCommerce Development team here at NEXT! Based onsite at NEXT Head Office in Enderby, Leicestershire with great benefits.
The Role
At NEXT, search and product discovery are becoming one of the most strategically important areas of eCommerce. As customer behaviour evolves beyond traditional browse journeys into AI‑assisted and conversational discovery experiences, we are investing heavily in the future of how customers find products across our digital platforms.
As Product Channel Manager for search & product discovery, you will champion the front end customer experience across our digital platforms, leading everything from core Search and Product Listing Pages (PLPs) to filtering, sorting, navigation and next generation AI journeys.
Working within our eCommerce Product team, you will work closely with the Head of Search and our Data Science colleagues. While they focus on the underlying algorithms, ranking and relevance, your role is to translate that technical strategy into intuitive customer experiences and robust product capabilities.
You will completely own the roadmap, backlog and delivery across web and app, collaborating seamlessly with Data Science & Engineering, UX and eCommerce Trading teams to ensure every initiative is commercially impactful, beautifully designed and flawlessly executed.
What You’ll Take On
- Own the end‑to‑end roadmap and backlog for web and app Search & Discovery, translating business and customer needs into clear, scalable requirements.
- Core ownership of search results, filtering and navigation. Drive the transition from traditional keyword search to next‑generation AI‑assisted and conversational discovery.
- Monitor day‑to‑day search performance and KPIs, troubleshoot live issues to ensure platform stability and commercial effectiveness during peak trading.
- Manage relationships with search technology partners and lead proof of concepts to assess the capability and scalability of emerging platforms.
- Partner with Data Science & Engineering, UX and Trading teams to align priorities and champion future search opportunities.
What You’ll Bring
You are an experienced and proven digital product leader with a strong understanding of eCommerce discovery experiences and customer journeys.
You are commercially minded, highly collaborative and comfortable operating in a fast‑moving, high‑scale eCommerce environment.
You combine strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery capability and enjoy working closely with engineering and cross‑functional teams to turn ideas into customer‑facing products.
You are excited by the future of AI‑assisted commerce, conversational interfaces and the evolution of product discovery beyond traditional browse and search journeys.
Essential Experience
- Significant experience in Product Management, Product Ownership or Digital Product Delivery.
- Experience working on eCommerce search, discovery, navigation, PLP or related customer journey experiences.
- Strong experience managing complex delivery backlogs and cross‑functional product development.
- Experience working closely with engineering teams in agile delivery environments.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Strong commercial awareness and data‑driven decision making.
- Comfortable operating in high‑scale digital environments.
Desirable Experience
- Experience with search and discovery platforms such as Bloomreach, Algolia, Constructor, Coveo, Google Commerce or similar technologies.
- Experience working with experimentation, personalisation or recommendation platforms.
- Understanding of modern eCommerce discovery concepts including semantic search, conversational interfaces and AI‑assisted shopping journeys.
- Experience within large‑scale retail or marketplace environments.
Benefits
- 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (when purchased through NEXT)
- Company performance‑based bonus
- Sharesave scheme
- On‑site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
- 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
- Early VIP access to sale stock
- Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
- Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
- Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
- Free on‑site parking
- Financial Wellbeing – Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
- Apprenticeship – Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
- Direct to Work – Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
- Support Networks – Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
- Wellhub – Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more
We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long‑term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.
